Shimu Oriental Furniture

Along with our latest vintage pots and planters you'll find our latest selection of lamps online, each produced by hand in a small atelier using a traditional potter's wheel. Each base is then kiln-baked and layered multiple times to achieve a distinct, weathered appearance and making each lamp unique.

View the range -->> https://www.shimu.co.uk/collections/oriental-lighting

Summer Sanctuary ☀️

A few carefully chosen pieces can transform the feeling of a room for summer. From warm wood tones and simple antique forms to handcrafted ceramics, lamps and textured accessories, we've put together a collection that brings together pieces chosen for their natural materials, understated character and relaxed seasonal feel.

Read more about how to create a calm, restful interior this summer in our latest blog post and view the curated collection online.

Read the blog -->> https://www.shimu.co.uk/blogs/news
View the collection -->> https://www.shimu.co.uk/collections/summer-vibes

New pottery just arrived!

This collection of authentic vintage pottery is from Shanxi Province, northern China. These beautifully weathered jars and planters date from the early to mid-20th century and were originally used for storing water, grain, oil and other household essentials. Today their rich patina, hand-thrown character and timeless simplicity make them striking decorative pieces for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Some pieces don't need bold colours or elaborate decoration to make a statement.

Crafted from reclaimed elm wood, this four-drawer console celebrates the beauty of simplicity. Its clean lines, generous proportions and richly textured timber bring warmth and character to any interior, with a naturally weathered surface that gives a wonderfully tactile feel.

Equally suited to a hallway, living space or dining room, it offers practical storage alongside a calm, understated presence - a timeless piece designed to age gracefully and work effortlessly within both contemporary and traditional homes.

Consistently popular amongst our customers, our range of porcelain and ceramic stools are based on designs dating back centuries. Highly versatile for seating, as portable side tables, plant stands or for outdoor spaces in the summer months, they add colour and interest wherever and however you choose to use them. You can view the full range online or find out more about the origins and history of these lovely pieces in our latest blog post.

View the collection -->> https://tinyurl.com/ceramic-stools
Read the blog post -->> https://tinyurl.com/stools-blog

Love this article on Chinese antiques and chinoiserie.

"The Chinese art and antiques market is also experiencing a new focus. Young collectors and interior designers are looking for authentic pieces: Ming chairs with pure lines, lacquered trunks, celadon ceramics, calligraphy tables. Not necessarily to build “oriental” interiors, but to insert elements with a strong aesthetic and narrative weight inside contemporary homes. A single antique Chinese sideboard, in a minimalist setting, can often make more atmosphere than an entire decorative design..."

Chinoiserie: the irresistible charm of the Orient conquering contemporary interiors - Whoopsee Chinoiserie: the irresistible charm of the Orient conquering contemporary interiors

Whilst we love the painted, lacquered and decorative antiques from Shanxi and neighbouring Chinese provinces, it's often the more stripped back, simple pieces that have the most presence.

This elm console table, dating to around 1900, is a perfect example. Crafted with beautifully balanced proportions and a wonderfully timeworn surface, its understated character allows the natural grain and texture of the wood to take centre stage. The softened edges, faded patina and honest signs of age give it a warmth and authenticity that feel effortlessly relevant in contemporary interiors today.

Equally at home in a hallway, behind a sofa or as a statement console, it brings a quiet sense of calm and permanence to a space - proof that simplicity rarely goes out of style.

New on the Blog : Styling Antique Chinese Furniture in Modern Homes

Antique Chinese furniture has a timeless quality that allows it to sit beautifully within both traditional and contemporary interiors. While many associate oriental antiques with more classical spaces, some of the most striking interiors today combine clean modern styling with carefully chosen antique pieces full of character and history.

Find out more in our latest blog post, with tips for how best to bring these beautiful pieces into a modern space to bring warmth and personality into your home.

Read more -->> https://www.shimu.co.uk/blogs/news