Swag

This is the place that has the furniture I want to have, but don’t have the money to purchase. I found myself constantly picking up items and saying, «Ooh, how much does this cost?» And then, once I saw the price, would gently put the item back down and say, «Well, maybe in another lifetime.»
The antiques in here are just so extravagant and intricately designed. I clearly had no money to purchase anything in here, but the shopkeeper was kind enough to amuse me and give me information regarding the antique mirrors they had on display. There’s such a high level of quality here, and if you have money to spend and are looking for some great looking antique collectibles, this is a great place to go.

On first glance I thought this antiques shop looked slightly austere, and in fact I wasn’t even sure it WAS an antique shop at first, so sparsely arranged and high quality is the furniture. However, on closer inspection Swag proves to be a very stylish showroom of the highest quality antique furniture and home furnishings. It is an unusual experience compared with many of Brighton’s other secondhand furniture dealers, who generally inhabit musty, cavernous shops, characterised by clutter and chaos. Swag is clean and polished; full of 1930s and 1940s office and home furnishings that would fit perfectly in a Film Noir set. I particularly like the metal desk lamps… they really capture something of another time.
Although I personally enjoy the rummaging treasure-​hunt aspect of the more casual antique/​junk shops in town, I do admire the experience and precision and with which the owners have sourced their collection. The stock is beautiful, just a little pricey for me! A great place to find striking one-​offs if you have money to burn.

I want my life to look like this shop! Or at least my flat. I stand and stare into this shop’s beautiful bow window every time I pass by and am in awe at the impeccable machine age style of the owners. The entire collection of vintage furniture and homewares in Swag is carefully selected to create a stunning 1920’s-1940’s industrial look– with gigantic metal office desks, old metal school lockers, worn leather chairs and old disused clocks that must have once hung in a station or a factory floor. This aesthetic may not be to everyone’s taste but this shop is undoubtedly flawless in it’s selection of hard to find and original stock– all reflected in the price of course. A perfectly worn leather chair can set you back around £600. The hard edge of industrial furniture is softened by a lovely collection of more affordable soft furnishings and decoration such as silver candlesticks, mirrored frames and candles. Their website is brilliant for inspiration– or to buy!

Run by veteran antique dealer Paul Downs and his partner April, SWAG is a stylish and unique showroom that displays distinctive pieces of antique furniture. Everything is sourced by the couple themselves and as a result, you’ll find old leather arm chairs and 1930s sofas next to stainless steel cabinets, wooden chests, trunks and unusual lights.
The quality and originality of the stock means the prices venture towards the expensive. For those with a smaller budget however, there’s also a small selection of paintings, decorative letters, statues, world globes and mirrors. Since the couple are so friendly, it’s also worth making them an offer if there’s something you really want but can’t quite stretch to.