At David Duggleby Auctioneers we like to celebrate the breadth of what we do, and each month we focus on one collecting category to spotlight the stories, trends and treasures that come through our salerooms. After diving into the timeless beauty of fine art and the historic fascination of coin collecting, this July we’re stepping into a category that truly lives and breathes: Home & Garden.
This is a field that’s not always about grand gestures. Sometimes it’s about well-worn tools that still get the job done, stone planters with mossy edges or that perfect wrought iron bench you didn’t know your garden needed. It’s the marriage of utility and charm, practicality and personality and it’s one of the most varied and vibrant areas we work with.
The Rising Popularity of Auctions
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increasing number of buyers turning to auctions for outdoor and home items. This is not because they’re cheaper – though they often are – but because they’re of better quality. They last longer and they look better with time.
There’s a rising appreciation for reclaimed materials and heritage objects, especially in gardens and outdoor spaces. Stone troughs and gateposts, terracotta chimney pots used as planters and weathered benches made from oak or cast iron aren’t just functional, they bring story and soul to a space.
Even the smallest items feel more thoughtful when they’ve been repurposed or rediscovered. That’s the beauty of auctions in this category: you never quite know what you’ll find, but when you see it, you’ll know exactly where it belongs. It’s a mix that reflects the season and the many ways we use our homes and gardens. You might come looking for something specific and leave with something unexpected. That’s the fun of it.
Sales Coming to You...
Every six weeks, our Scarborough auction calendar features a sale rooted in the practical and the beautiful – where weathered urns, cast iron benches, mossy troughs and time-tested tools are offered up for a new life. The Garden, Home & Commercial Assets sale isn’t about grand gestures – it’s about honest, useful things with beauty built in. Things that feel like they’ve always belonged.
It’s not the only story we tell. Our regular auctions – Furniture, Rugs & Interiors, Antiques & Decorative Objects, and Affordable Antiques & Collectors – each bring their own flavour. One week it’s a mid-century sideboard, the next a carved wall hanging or a perfect little plate. Some pieces are practical, others purely decorative – but all carry the charm of having been made to last.
Here are just a few of our favourites from July…
From Garden, Home & Commercial Assets