John and Chrissie Masters of Period Designs have specialised in original Art Deco, Arts and Crafts Movement, Art Nouveau, Aesthetic Movement and Gothic Revival in their premises ‘The Design Gallery’ in Westerham, Kent since 2002. They met on a Decorative Arts course at Sotheby’s Institute in London, and since that time have purchased and sold thousands of pieces of the period 1850-1950, and their clients tell them every day “This is our favourite shop”. There is an academic approach to their interests and they co-wrote the chapters Art Deco Furniture and Art Deco Ceramics for Judith Miller’s book “20th Century Design”. Exhibitions are held twice a year at The Design Gallery.
John was formerly Treasurer to international banks, including Standard Chartered Bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Credit Agricole. He has worked around the globe, collecting art and antiques during his travels. He was Treasurer and Trustee of The Decorative Arts Society for eight years. Chrissie was a magazine editor, features writer and fashion stylist, working on the staff of The Times, The Daily Express, Marie Claire, Country Living, Hello! and Cosmopolitan. She has written five books. Chrissie secured sponsorship from Boots for a world-record breaking event that raised £1 million for The Royal Marsden Hospital and recently worked with Catherine Southon, of BBC Bargain Hunt and Flog It! and Katy Allen MBE, founder of Education East Africa to raise funds for the charity’s work in Tanzania.