Design Diary - November 2011

Design, antiques and arts events in London and across the UK. Make sure you don't miss out.

Spirit of Christmas (2-6 Nov), Olympia, London W14 - This annual Christmas shopping event brings together hundreds of exhibitors. Gifts, decorations, specialist foods and wines galore. Visit www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk

Asian Art in London (3-12 Nov) - This annual event unites London's leading Asian art dealers, major auction houses and museums in a series of selling exhibitions, receptions, lectures and seminars. Go to www.asianartinlondon.com for programme and venues.

The Homebuilding & Renovating Show (4-6 Nov), International Centre, Harrogate, and (19-20 Nov) at the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet - For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

Luxury Antiques and Fine Art Fair at Capesthorne Hall (4 -6 Nov) Siddington, near Macclesfield, Cheshire - This new fair, held at this Jacobean-style house, will bring together 25 specialist dealers in decorative and fine antiques, unusual accessories and objets d'art. www.capesthornehallfair.com

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair (9-13 Nov at the Business Design Centre, London N1 and 17-20 Nov at SECC, Glasgow) - Stock up with home accessories, Christmas gifts and festive decorations, food and drink. Over 400 companies represented. www.countrylivingfair.com

The Winter Fine Art & Antiques Fair (14-20 Nov), Olympia Exhibition Halls, Hammersmith Road, London W14 - One of the most prestigious events of the season. 150 of the UK's most respected dealers exhibit here, with pieces ranging from 18th Century English furniture to Art Deco furniture, elegant decorative pieces to fine paintings. www.olympia-antiques.com

National Antiques Week (14-21 Nov) - This year's National Antiques Week is encouraging people to vote for Britain's best antiques shop or saleroom. There are ten great prizes to win. For more info go to  www.nationalantiquesweek.co.uk

Ideal Home Show at Christmas (16-20 Nov), Earl's Court, London - New for 2011, a Christmas version of Britain's oldest home event, with some 500 exhibitors. For tickets call 0844 2097330 or visit: www.idealhomeshowchristmas.co.uk

Chelsea Textiles Sale (16-19 Nov). Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road, SW3 - 40%-80% off hand-embroidered fabrics and bedcovers, cushions, one-off samples, ready-made curtains and hand-painted furniture. Open 16th : 11-8; 17th&18th: 10-7 ; 19th: 10-6. www.chelseatextiles.com, 020-7584 5544

Hand Sale (17-19 Nov), 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, London W11 - A twice-yearly, three day sale with an inspiring mix of stands offering cushions, throws and blankets, ceramics, glass, antiques, bone and wood utensils, clothes, jewellery and more. Open 6-9 on the first day, then 10-8 and 10-6. For more info call 020-86771848.

Made 11 (17-20 Nov) Brighton Corn Exchange, Church St, Brighton - The sister event to the Brighton Art Fair, this is the largest art exhibition on the South Coast and brings together over 100 painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors along with artists groups and Sussex-based galleries. www.made11.co.uk

RCA Secret (viewing 18-25, sale on 26 Nov), Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 - Pick up an art bargain at this unmissable annual event with original postcard-sized artworks, made and donated by professional artists (1000 of them contributed last year), plus up-and-coming graduates from the RCA. All the cards are for sale, at £45 each. The ‘Secret' is the identity of the artist, which you don't discover until you've bought the card, as they are signed on the back. www.rca.ac.uk

The Powderham Castle Antiques & Fine Art Fair (18-20 Nov), Kenton, Exeter, Devon - Art and antiques with prices to suit every pocket. Exhibits start from less than £30 for a Victorian silver spoon to more than £10,000 for fine oil paintings and Georgian furniture. www.cooperevents.com

National Maintenance Week. (18-25 Nov) - Set up by SPAB to encourage homeowners and others to be aware of the simple, economic and achievable steps they can take to protect their buildings. See www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk for their top tips on home maintenance.

Midcentury Modern (20 Nov), Dulwich College, London SE21 - Renowned for its well-edited mix of mid-century dealers, this vintage fair is also a great place to pick up pieces by contemporary young British designers. www.modernshows.com

Cockpit Arts Christmas Open Studios (25-27 Nov in Holborn; 2-4 Dec in Deptford) - Buy your Christmas gifts direct from 165 designer-makers. Fashion accessories, homeware and more from £5 - £5,000. Plus the chance to see behind the scenes in the studios. www.cockpitarts.com

November 2011