For years, the word 'antique' conjured images of formality and museums, but in 2025, it represents something far more vital: the pinnacle of eco-conscious luxury.
At Shackleton Fox Antiques, this philosophy is not new—it is our very foundation. It is a philosophy built on the passion of a husband-and-wife team, Jackie and Jonathan, who believe that every object d'art has a story to tell and a future to enrich. Our recent accolades—the Sustainability Excellence Award and the Best Antique Lighting Business Award for 2025—are not just honours; they are a profound validation of our core mission: to make enduring quality the most environmentally sound choice for your home.
This year marks an exciting new chapter for us as we officially launch Shackleton Fox Interiors, a bespoke service that marries our award-winning antique sourcing with in-house upholstery and hand-made interior items to compliment our antiques. We are building an empire grounded in collaboration, legacy, and ambition, guided by our family motto: Una Crescimus—"Together We Grow."
This is the definitive guide to why Georgian and Victorian furniture—the very heart of traditional antiques—are your ultimate green investment and how our new Interiors service is ready to help you curate your perfect, enduring home.
Part I: The Green Case for the Antique Aesthetic (Georgian & Victorian)
To understand why antiques are the ultimate sustainable choice, we must look at the periods that defined quality craftsmanship in Britain: the Georgian (c. 1714–1837) and Victorian (c. 1837–1901) eras.
1. The Carbon Footprint of Durability: Quality Over Quantity
When a piece of Georgian mahogany furniture was made, it was built to last not a decade, but centuries. This longevity is the greatest sustainable act of all.
Modern, flat-pack furniture has a significant, immediate carbon footprint associated with:
- The harvesting and often short-term, unsustainable sourcing of materials.
- The manufacturing process, which often uses glues and synthetic finishes.
- The extensive global shipping, only for the item to be discarded in a landfill within 5–10 years.
In stark contrast, an antique Georgian chest of drawers, crafted 250 years ago, has long since amortised its original carbon impact. Its continued use is a direct reduction in demand for new resources.
The Shackleton Fox Sustainability Excellence: We proudly received the Sustainability Excellence Award for 2025 because we go beyond simply selling pre-owned items. We are committed to meticulous restoration, preserving these enduring treasures, and championing a circular economy. When you acquire a piece from us, you are making a centuries-long investment in environmental consciousness.
2. The Return of Richness: Dark Woods and Anchored Interiors
Interior design in 2025 is shifting away from stark minimalism. We are embracing warmth, depth, and character—a direct return to the aesthetic embodied by 18th and 19th-century furniture.
- Georgian Elegance: Characterised by mahogany and walnut, Georgian pieces are revered for their symmetry, clean lines, and neoclassical restraint. A Georgian kneehole desk or a Chippendale-style chest provides a sophisticated, architectural focal point that anchors a room with undeniable gravitas.
- Victorian Warmth: While sometimes more ornate, Victorian furniture offers rich, dark woods perfect for creating the layered, tactile interiors that are currently trending. A substantial Victorian dresser or library table provides a stunning contrast to lighter wall colours, fulfilling the modern desire for a sense of history and permanence.
These pieces, with their rich, dark patinas, introduce a sense of grounded luxury that is currently dominating high-end interior magazines. They are the perfect foil to modern art, sleek sofas, and minimalist architectural features, embodying the sought-after "old-meets-new" contrast.
Part II: Shackleton Fox Interiors – Curating Your Bespoke Identity
While the quality of an antique is non-negotiable, the key to truly making it the "future of design" is ensuring it works seamlessly within your modern home. This is where the launch of Shackleton Fox Interiors comes in, marking a significant and exciting new chapter for our business in 2025.
1. The New Era of Bespoke Service: From Concept to Completion
Our philosophy has always been that collecting is the ultimate bespoke pleasure—a unique pursuit that allows you to curate and express your identity.
Jackie, drawing on her extensive experience in art & design and her procurement background with the National Trust, leads this new venture. We aim to move beyond simply selling beautiful objects; we want to help clients compose stunning, cohesive interiors that reflect their unique tastes and lifestyle.
Our Expanded Offerings Include:
- In-House Upholstery: This is a game-changer for our upholstered seating. Finding the perfect Georgian or Victorian armchair is one thing; having it professionally and traditionally restored and then covered in a contemporary, high-performance fabric of your choice is another. Our in-house service ensures that the integrity of the antique frame is preserved while the exterior is perfectly tailored to your colour palette and design scheme.
- Bespoke handmade Interior products to compliment the home.
- Personal Sourcing: Our core tailored sourcing service remains the ultimate bespoke pleasure. If the perfect piece of furniture, art, or lighting is not currently in stock, we utilise our extensive network to locate it for you, supporting personal buying trips and ensuring you benefit from expert advice.
2. Illumination and Restoration: The Award-Winning Difference
A beautiful piece of antique furniture needs the right light to shine, and here, our expertise is unmatched. Our commitment to safety and quality is demonstrated by our Best Antique Lighting Business Award for 2025.
Lighting is one of the easiest ways to introduce an authentic antique touch. An 18th-century brass table lamp or a late Victorian hall lantern instantly transforms a space, adding character that new lighting simply cannot replicate.
- Safety and Peace of Mind: Every item of lighting we sell is meticulously prepared and restored, including full rewiring and PAT inspection to UK standards. This critical step ensures that every light is ready to be enjoyed immediately—saving our clients time, additional expense, and, most importantly, providing complete safety assurance.
- The Lighting Context: Just as we provide historical context for our furniture, we guide clients on how to integrate period lighting. Whether it’s a Gothic Revival chandelier or a neoclassical column lamp, we help you understand its story and how to use it to create the perfect mood in your modern room.
Part III: The Legacy and The Future (Una Crescimus)
Our journey, led by Jonathan and Jackie, is a seamless blend of precision and creativity. Jonathan’s meticulous eye for detail, honed through over 20 years as an accountant and his passion for restoration, guarantees the quality of every item. Jackie’s creative flair, rooted in art & design and customer-facing roles, ensures a personal, approachable, and family-oriented ethos.
This is more than a business; it’s a continuation of legacy. Jonathan’s historic ties to the legendary explorer Ernest Shackleton represent the spirit of adventure and discovery in sourcing, while Jackie’s fox symbolises the sharp wit and resourcefulness needed to curate truly exceptional pieces. Together, our family slogan, Una Crescimus—"Together We Grow," drives our ambition to build a business that is both successful and fundamentally responsible.
