RESTORING OUR OWN PIECE OF HISTORY
Learning by Doing
Our journey began in 2016, when we took on the restoration of an eighteenth-century Grade II listed cottage in rural Lincolnshire. Little did we realise that this project would eventually lead to the creation of Shackleton Fox.
The house required extensive renovation. We stripped walls back to their original stone, learnt the traditional techniques of lime pointing and plastering, and even mastered the preparation of lime plaster incorporating horsehair. For almost two years, our evenings and weekends were devoted to the restoration, gradually developing skills that we had previously only admired in others.
We went on to design and build our own kitchen using elm, lay floors, undertake plumbing and work with conservation officers to ensure that alterations respected the building's historic character. It was a demanding but enormously rewarding experience, giving us a genuine appreciation for traditional materials, craftsmanship and the patience required to restore an old building properly.
As the rooms began to take shape, we started sourcing antiques from auctions and local fairs to furnish our home. Inevitably, we occasionally bought more than we needed, or discovered that a piece wasn't quite right for its intended room. We began selling these items through an online auction account, and were pleasantly surprised by how quickly our little venture developed.
Following the loss of Jackie's father in February 2017, and later her uncle John in 2021, continuing the family's connection with the antiques trade became increasingly meaningful. What had started as a practical way of furnishing our home gradually grew into something much more personal.
Since those early days, our weekends have been devoted to building Shackleton Fox, sourcing interesting pieces, developing our restoration skills and sharing our appreciation for antiques with customers around the world.
Looking back, restoring our home was far more than a building project. It was the beginning of a new chapter, one that brought together our love of historic buildings, traditional craftsmanship and antiques, and ultimately shaped the business we are so passionate about today.
