CLAIRE LANGLEY IN CONVERSATION
Based in Hallidays Yard in Stamford, Claire Langley works from a 3,500 square foot warehouse and adjoining shop where antique character and modern refinement sit comfortably together. With nearly four decades of experience in restoration, reupholstery and bespoke design, she brings a deeply informed understanding of furniture, proportion and form.
Rooted in traditional British craftsmanship and sustained by long standing relationships with skilled makers, her workshop is defined by exacting standards and lasting quality.
On restoration, refinement and the enduring value of traditional craftsmanship, we speak with Claire Langley.
How would you describe your work?
Our work is a blend of sourcing, restoring, and creating. From antique furniture and decorative garden pieces to bespoke commissions, at the heart of what we do is a commitment to well-made, characterful furniture.
Claire Langley Antiques footstool No 1 in oak. The inspiration for this footstool was taken from a tightly turned bobbin Regency stool, which Claire has hung onto for years.
What’s your signature product?
Our bespoke footstool collection is front and centre right now. We’ve just launched 12 new designs, all built with solid beech frames, a variety of hand-turned leg styles, and brass castors. Upholstered using traditional techniques they reflect a deep respect for craftsmanship. Every footstool is fully customisable and made to any size you like. The options are endless and the result completely personal.
How did it all begin?
I trained as a restorer in Brighton and London before setting up my own restoration business in Cambridge. In 1993, I moved to Stamford and opened my first of three shops a year later. I still get excited by a beautiful old piece or a new commission.
Master upholsterer Alan Watson at work in the Claire Langley workshop, restoring an antique chair by hand.
What’s your favourite part of the process… and the biggest challenge?
The thrill of sourcing. I love setting off in my van, not knowing what I’ll come home with. The biggest challenge is finding skilled craftspeople to carry out the restoration, especially traditional upholsterers, with too few young people entering the profession.
Where do you work from?
Just across the courtyard from the shop, our 3,500-square-foot warehouse houses both our restoration workshop and a trove of period and decorative antiques. Open to the public and trade, it’s a very eclectic space. The shop itself is more curated, showcasing antiques, bespoke seating, lighting, planters, and pieces from local makers.
The Claire Langley Antiques showroom and shop in Stamford.
What inspires you?
Good design. I take a lot of inspiration from period interiors, particularly the pared-back elegance of Georgian style, which is reflected in the simplicity of our bespoke work. I’m also inspired by peers in the industry who’ve shaped my approach over the years.
How do you hope people use your pieces?
My wish is for our furniture is used and enjoyed every day, not kept for best. These are pieces designed to be lived with, well-loved, and eventually passed on.
What’s next?
We’re expanding our bespoke seating and collaborating with local craftspeople. Everything we make is available to order or adapt, and we’re always happy to talk about new ideas. Our new garden room brings together our love for outdoor living and decorative antiques. It’s exciting to keep exploring how the shop can grow while staying true to what we do best.
Claire’s eye for antiques and decorative pieces has been honed over a thirty year career, shaped by decades of handling, restoring and living with exceptional furniture.
Contact
T. +44 (0)1780 769333 | +44 (0)7752 919172
Follow. @clairelangley_
Shop
Claire Langley Hallidays Yard, Radcliffe Road Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1ED
Monday & Tuesday: by appointment
Wednesday-Saturday: 10am - 4pm