Pigment and Patina, Company

Pigment & Patina is the brainchild of Nicolas Carr-Forster and Stephan Oberwegner. We are both partners in Max Bentheim, the award winning interior design business that revamped the Hempel hotel, The Lygon Arms in Broadway and the Scarlet Hotel near Padstow. Having been involved in mostly commercial hotel projects in the UK and abroad, we felt it necessary to expand the business into something that is very close to our hearts. Joining forces in this project is artist and purveyor of antiques Carlos Alberto Rocha de Azevedo, whose 15-year reputation in France for painted rustic furniture has made him the leading authority in the matter. Our adventure all started in 2005 when we acquired ‘Cantalaouze’ south of Bordeaux in the Aquitaine region of Southwest France. The house, an ancient timber frame farm dwelling so typical of the area inspired us to go back to the roots of authenticity, in contrast to our contemporary design work. It was when we decided to restore the property that we met Carlos through mutual friends. Impressed by Carlos’ accurate and sensitive restoration skills, the dream of ‘Pigment & Patina’ was instantly taking shape, deep in the wild of the Landes forest. With our French farmhouse finally sorted and completed according to our vision, the challenge of giving life to ‘Pigment & Patina’ was pending. By December 2009, it all came to life within the appropriately Georgian backdrop of Amwell Street, nested at the crossroads between Clerkenwell, Islington and the City . It was indeed very important for us to find the right ‘home’ for our finds. Once through the traditionally designed shop window, the unmistakable and unique character of Gascony is ever present, from the various rustic farm tables and mottled mirrors, to the very rare glazed salting jars and imposing dressers, all in sumptuous natural tones. Together with Carlos, we have managed to carefully select the most delicious collection of late 18th and 19th century pieces, making us the leading specialists in this particular type of regional painted furniture, along with metal garden accessories, vintage linen, crates, baskets, lighting, cast iron garden urns, vintage terrace chairs, picture frames and period glassware to complete and complement it all. Everything in the shop is original and unique, with each piece telling a story, emphasising the importance of its integrity. From the low, substantial hunters’ dressers named after St Hubert, patron saint of the hunters to early XXth century tablecloth and napkins sets, woven by the elders of the bygone rustic households and embroidered with initials for newly wed couples. And then there are the ‘armoire’ wardrobes with their delicate, original ironmongery and secret drawers, the travel and hat chests, some with remnants of faintly printed adverts inside, the faded sepia roses adorning nostalgic kitchen plates, the coarse timber grape-harvesting baskets or the galvanised ‘jardinières’ adorned with seasonal flowers – the perfect marriage between the aesthetics of yesterday and the practical needs of our times. Some of the furniture is in its original distressed paint and left in the state it was found. Other pieces have benefited from Carlos’ unique painting skills, where he has carefully layered rare natural pigments, powders and oils to restore them to their former glory, whilst retaining an authentic weathered and patinated aspect. Besides having a keen eye for detail in spotting and collecting suitable quality items, we also offer a specific interior design service aimed at the residential and commercial sector, to integrate the essence of Pigment & Patina’s image and create an appropriate setting for the pieces chosen by clients. This is all backed up by our 15 year-experience in the Interior Design sector. Carlos also offers clients the option of applying his painted restoration techniques to their very own furniture pieces and create patinated finishes to their floors, walls and ceilings too. Our overall knowledge, background and contacts combined enables the team now to offer a cross-Channel sourcing service for clients’ homes, here and abroad. In short, our new little enterprise offers a fresh look within the world of Antiques and brings to London a unique and original blend of stunning country furniture and lifestyle accessories from a bygone age. Add to that a design service that will fine tune your home accordingly and bring Southwestern France to your front door. ‘Pigment & Patina’ can also arrange shipping to anywhere in the world.