Reginald Ballum is a shop beautifully displayed with decorative antiques and time-worn pieces, all housed in an attractive corner property that dates back to 1890. Opened in 2014, and situated in the seaside town of Worthing, West Sussex, owner Darren Peskett named the business after his Grandfather, a man who has played an important role and influence on Darren whilst he was growing up. Darren undertook a major renovation on the property, opening up the main larger room into the one behind, and creating more of a free-flowing space, painstakingly removing (it took him 8 days!) the render on some walls to expose the brickwork underneath, and creating statement walls which lend a warehouse vibe to the shop. The basement rooms, which still had the original old slate shelving in them, were renovated to create more showroom space, and boast a French brocante vibe, piled high with old metal signs, bottles, decorative accessories and smaller bric-a-brac. In the main showroom, large window displays are forever changing with beautifully curated collections of renovated work benches, vintage cinema seats, industrial floor lights, tram signs, leather armchairs, reclaimed shutters, and whatever Darren has fallen in love with on his recent buying trips – his shop is a haven and homage to the past. Darren will also happily source items for his customers on his buying trips, and often gets involved in their renovation ideas to offer his advice and his skills.
The Shopkeeper
With a chequered career background, including baker and confectioner, and painter and decorator, the one career path Darren Peskett never set out to be on was a shopkeeper. “It was never something on my radar. I was undertaking work on customer’s homes and they would often ask me if I knew where to source various items because they knew I loved vintage and antique pieces.” After renovating his home with his partner, Darren had amassed a surplus of decorative accessories and other items, and the idea that he could open a shop to sell them started to become a reality. He now goes on regular buying trips to France, Belgium and antique fairs in the UK to source new stock, always looking for the unusual and quirky items, but most importantly pieces that he falls in love with. “I have to look at them everyday, so I need to feel they are right, and what my customers would want in their own homes.” Darren has a passion for travel (he would love to spend his 50th birthday trekking in the Himalayas), an appreciation for the artisan and a passion for renovating and restoring. “I always love to talk with my customers when they come to the shop and help them find what they are looking for. I guess, for me, being a shopkeeper is about offering something different, individual and often with history and a story to it.”
On the Future of Retail
“I would like to think people will start to appreciate the need to invest in well made and timeless classics more, pieces that can be restored and repaired, rather than being the throw-away society we have become. For example, a beautiful leather armchair will go on and on for years, getting time worn, and improving more with age.”
Words & Photos by Stephanie Bateman Sweet – The Lifestyle Editor
83 Rowlands Rd, Worthing, West Sussex
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