0:00:02 > 0:00:04For the country's super wealthy,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08there's only one man to turn to when it comes to good taste.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13I think I've got what the antique trade and the dealers call the eye.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17There's no question, I've got to buy all three.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22I've got a very defined and some would say refined sense of taste.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26What is extraordinary is how beautiful it is in this room.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29Gordon Watson is one of the world's leading authorities
0:00:29 > 0:00:32on 20th century design.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34- 7,500 and we are out. - Thank you very much.- OK.
0:00:34 > 0:00:39Turning his passion for collecting into a multi-million pound business.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43At £4 million, 250. Sold.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46It's a mania, it's not natural how much I buy
0:00:46 > 0:00:47and how much I need to buy.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Oh, my God, this is so exciting.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Always on the hunt for the most desirable pieces to buy...
0:00:53 > 0:00:54It's been a long time.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57He's charming his way into the grandest of homes,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01gambling he'll make the deal of a lifetime.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02Very nice to see you.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04I've a feeling it's going to be an easy sale
0:01:04 > 0:01:06and I'll make a lot of money.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07I'm hoping.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20London is one of the world's most vibrant and dynamic cities.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23It's a magnet to the transient super rich.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26I would say it's probably one of the most expensive
0:01:26 > 0:01:28places in the world to buy property now.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31They buy houses worth millions
0:01:31 > 0:01:33and that's just the start of their spending.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Houses sort of get demolished and rebuilt.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Houses have huge excavation where they go down two or three floors
0:01:40 > 0:01:44to put in a gym, to put in a swimming pool, to put in a cinema.
0:01:44 > 0:01:45It's quite extraordinary.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47There's sort of a revolution going on in the building trade
0:01:47 > 0:01:50in London at the moment.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53These high net individuals need to furnish these homes
0:01:53 > 0:01:56but they're too busy earning money to visit Gordon's shop.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59They employ someone else to do that for them.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Interior designers really are a vital
0:02:02 > 0:02:05and important part of my business these days.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08- It's exquisite, Gordon.- Isn't it?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11They are a buffer between me and the client.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Very often we don't get to meet the clients.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16In fact, most of the time, we don't actually meet the clients.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18They're really lovely, Gordon.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22The interior decorators, the core that I'm talking about,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25are highly successful business people in their own right.
0:02:25 > 0:02:31They only deal with the elite and they charge accordingly.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34These interior designers have big budgets
0:02:34 > 0:02:37and significant buying power.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40They don't come with a banner or something stuck on the head,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43I've got £10 million to spend. But you know it's serious.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46One top end designer who buys from Gordon to fill
0:02:46 > 0:02:50the homes of the rich and famous is Louise Jones.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53You do have to find the things that are extra special.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55That is part of our job.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00They don't come to us, our clients, to have what everybody else has got.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Louise's work is often published in glossy interior design magazines
0:03:04 > 0:03:08and she has a wealthy international client list.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10Well, I've been working with Gordon
0:03:10 > 0:03:14and using his shop for probably nearly 20 years.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17That's a gorgeous mirror. Really nice.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21When you go in, you know you're going to find something rather nice.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- Hi.- How are you?- Very well.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25- Is it raining out? - Yes, it's just started.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Louise could potentially spend thousands of pounds today
0:03:29 > 0:03:31on items for her clients' homes.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33So, number one is that.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- As soon as I walked in, I spotted that.- Oh, right.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- It's fabulous, isn't it? - It's beautiful.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41I don't know why we haven't sold it. It's absolutely extraordinary.
0:03:41 > 0:03:42I love the colour.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44The great thing about Louise Jones is,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47she doesn't just have one client, she's got five, 10 clients,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51so when she comes in, in her mind, she's looking around because
0:03:51 > 0:03:54she's like, that would be great over the fireplace for the client
0:03:54 > 0:03:56in Russia, that would be great for the client in Eaton Square.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00So, when Louise is in the shop, I'm in a very good mood
0:04:00 > 0:04:03because I know the potential could be enormous.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08- Then I also saw a console with a reeded front.- Round here. Yeah.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- It's good, isn't it?- I haven't seen anything like that before.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Then I've got here a glass table lamp by Matt Zager.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16I think it's really glamorous.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18What you're getting is the layering of all these shapes,
0:04:18 > 0:04:19so they look like shadows.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- It's exquisite, isn't it?- It is.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Louise wants to try items in her clients' homes before she buys.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30For Gordon, that's one step closer to that precious thing, a sale.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32What I might also do for the same client,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- can I borrow a few bits and bobs?- Yes.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- Because she hasn't seen any of these.- Oh, right.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39She's allowed to take anything she wants.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44I would bend over backwards to please Louise. Please Louise!
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Please, Louise, buy something, please!
0:04:46 > 0:04:47Gorgeous!
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- For hanging towels or anything or coats.- Oh, she'd love that.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Isn't that fabulous?
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Louise, why don't you just take the shop and then try it.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- I'd love to do that.- OK.- Do you want them in the car now?- Yes.- OK.
0:05:00 > 0:05:05In just 20 minutes, Louise has spent £8,000 on a chandelier,
0:05:05 > 0:05:10and another potential £6,000 on objects she wants to try out.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15So, have you got somebody to help you on the other side?
0:05:15 > 0:05:18We did the deal on the blue chandelier
0:05:18 > 0:05:22and she has taken away four items to try in this house.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- All in all, it's good. Very nice.- All right.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28I'll let you know how I get on with these things. Next day or two.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30We'll never see her again!
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Gordon has his own interior design project in Tangier.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47It's a house that has been in his family for years
0:05:47 > 0:05:48with a full staff of six.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Why aren't you wagging your tail?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53That's it. Come on. Wag that tail.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57That's not so terrible.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00The old property is having a major renovation.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05When completed, there will be six bedrooms, a vast living room,
0:06:05 > 0:06:07a dining room and a library.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10There's also a hammam and massage room.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13My fabulous masseurs will cause me
0:06:13 > 0:06:16so much pain and pull every single ligament
0:06:16 > 0:06:20and every bone will crack and I will feel good for about half an hour.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23I won't be moaning about my aches and pains.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Gordon can't be here all the time.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31The project is being overseen by lifelong friend,
0:06:31 > 0:06:35the designer and silversmith Paul Belvoir.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39The reason for me being here doing the house is, when I was young,
0:06:39 > 0:06:4417, 18, when I met Gordon, he helped me out a lot.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46I'd love you to make one of your curries.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48As soon as we have a kitchen.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50You couldn't pour me a cup of coffee, could you?
0:06:50 > 0:06:54I've always had a sense of, I owe the debt.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58When this opportunity came up and he asked me for help,
0:06:58 > 0:07:05I knew that was a chance for me to repay a debt that I felt I owed.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06Gordon is in old Tangier,
0:07:06 > 0:07:10fuelling his addiction with a shopping spree
0:07:10 > 0:07:12to furnish the many rooms of his large house.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I love that cool breeze. I'm in the mood to shop today.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20I haven't shopped for a couple of days. It's what makes me tick.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22It's in my blood.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25There's usually a treasure or two and there better be today
0:07:25 > 0:07:28because I am not in the mood to go home empty-handed.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32For two rolls, no?
0:07:32 > 0:07:36I like buying. I know it's a mania.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Buying it and then you own it, you possess it,
0:07:39 > 0:07:41maybe that's what I like.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Linen has a real old, quite nice smell to it.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Musty, like Granny's knickers.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51It's nice, isn't it? Very beautiful.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53The things that I've bought, I like them all.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56I like sitting down and thinking about where I bought them
0:07:56 > 0:07:59and how I bought them, why I bought them.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01These are Moroccan drains.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03They are made out of the thickest, oldest marble
0:08:03 > 0:08:08and they will set into the hammam, so it's for the water to go.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12I think they're such beautiful objets
0:08:12 > 0:08:15and I've got about 60 of them and I sell them.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17I put them on wonderful mounts
0:08:17 > 0:08:19and they become really decorative things
0:08:19 > 0:08:22and nobody knows that they're from old loos!
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Although a familiar face at the shop,
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Gordon is struggling to get a good deal.
0:08:33 > 0:08:40HE SPEAKS FRENCH
0:08:49 > 0:08:50OK, merci beaucoup.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52That's a present but I'm really paying for it
0:08:52 > 0:08:53and we got all of those for 8,000.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55In a flurry of activity,
0:08:55 > 0:09:00Gordon spends nearly £600 on home furnishings and a drain.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Oh, look what I've found. A tap.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Quickly, quickly. How much is this?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12I've been desperate for one of these.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16I can't believe, I can't tell you, we've gone everywhere.
0:09:16 > 0:09:22OK, I come too tight. No, it's all right.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27Oh, the dust.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32- The tap has cost Gordon a further £70.- This is good, no?
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Look, that's a really big tap.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39That's going to look fabulous on the wall going into a marble
0:09:39 > 0:09:41basin, it will be fabulous.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Gordon must leave the heat of Tangier and return to London
0:09:46 > 0:09:50for one of the hottest, most hectic events in his calendar.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55In three days' time,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58London's Berkeley Square, in the heart of Mayfair,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01will be given over to one of the world's top
0:10:01 > 0:10:04art and interior design fairs.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06It's called the Pavilion of Art Decoratif.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10It's an important, prestigious fair in the centre of London.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15All the collectors, all the museums, all the curators are in town
0:10:15 > 0:10:19for the week, so London is absolutely throbbing
0:10:19 > 0:10:23with the kind of customer and the kind of client that I want to find.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26It's an honour to be asked to exhibit but that invitation
0:10:26 > 0:10:27comes at a price.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31PAD costs me around £60,000 plus the VAT.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33The shop costs me slightly less,
0:10:33 > 0:10:38so imagine, for a week, between the set-up and the dismantling,
0:10:38 > 0:10:43a week at PAD costs more than a year in a prestigious shop
0:10:43 > 0:10:48on the prestigious Pimlico Road, and it's a big shop with a big basement.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51That's how insane it is but I need to do it. I have to be there.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Behind the scenes, Gordon's PA, Nicola, has spent the last year
0:10:55 > 0:10:59planning the stand and today she is waiting for Gordon's sign off.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- So, Nicola, how are we doing? - Well, we're getting there.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- Have you done the computer mock-up? - Yes.- Everything is to scale?- Yes.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11Pride of place this year will be a large, but intricate,
0:11:11 > 0:11:13late 1950s Italian chandelier.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Here we have a ceiling light.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18This is the whole thing. It will hang by chains.
0:11:18 > 0:11:24It is 1 metre 70 by 70 and these are the 64 elements
0:11:24 > 0:11:28of different coloured glass that are all fixed in the grid at the top.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30There will be someone who needs this piece.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33They don't know they need it but when they see it glimmering
0:11:33 > 0:11:38and shimmering like a jewel at PAD, they'll want it.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46On the morning of the fair, Nicola is joined by fine art handlers
0:11:46 > 0:11:49who will be transporting the carefully selected items.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51It's that portion there.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53There's a load of crates, there's an armchair
0:11:53 > 0:11:55and a few more boxes over there.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Right, have you got it over?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Mind my fingers!
0:11:59 > 0:12:04We are moving thousands of pounds' worth of furniture and art work.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07We make sure that that leaves the shop and gets to the show
0:12:07 > 0:12:12in the same condition, so, for us, we have a big responsibility.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15At the design fair, top dealers from around the world are setting up
0:12:15 > 0:12:19their stands with extraordinary works of art,
0:12:19 > 0:12:21many worth millions of pounds.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30Gordon's team are setting up with nearly £800,000 worth of items.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34They include a vast painting by Paul Winstanley, at £32,000,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38a lacquered in-laid table at £64,000,
0:12:38 > 0:12:43intriguing objects and finally, upholstered chairs.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46We just need to do as much as possible today.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51But the large, fragile, chandelier, is a cause for concern.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55The problem with these monumental pieces, these one-off pieces,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57there's always an element of risk.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02At any stage in this procedure, something could go wrong,
0:13:02 > 0:13:04and I don't want to jinx it. Touch wood.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09If one of these pieces breaks, then I've got an incomplete work of art.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15There will be such a sense of relief when it is sold
0:13:15 > 0:13:18and it's paid for and it is safely delivered to the new owner.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20That will be a great moment.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21OK, Nicola.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24What we have tried to create is a drawing-room,
0:13:24 > 0:13:25somebody's living room.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27These look horrible under here.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Despite Nicola's hard work, for Gordon,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32nothing less than perfection will do.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33It's got to be right.
0:13:33 > 0:13:39It's a very, very classy show. That gang are one of the best.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42I've been around so long, this is my world.
0:13:45 > 0:13:50The doors of the fair are open and wealthy potential buyers flood in.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53Amongst them, are some of the top interior designers,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57accompanied by their well heeled clients.
0:13:57 > 0:13:58If they've got a sandwich,
0:13:58 > 0:14:02cheesy or beef or something, I'm starving.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07There's a buzz about the marquee but Gordon is not off to a good start.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10There's been no-one, I've seen no-one.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12I've been there half an hour and I'm bored already.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16Gordon's trademark technique is to stay behind his desk
0:14:16 > 0:14:18and not look too desperate.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21I sit here and I wait for the victims.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25So, it's like a spider waiting for the prey.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28If they express interest, they come on the stand,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32they ask a price, then Nicola and I are off.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35I'm hoping for a bloody client, what do you think I'm hoping for?
0:14:35 > 0:14:39We haven't paid all this money for it to be, you know...
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Over the week, he sets himself a target of £250,000.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46We've made all this effort, we've put all this money into it,
0:14:46 > 0:14:47I just want it to be done.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50I want a few sales, a few red dots and then I can relax.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Gordon needs to hold his nerve.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06His centrepiece is not attracting any attention.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10The chandelier, no interest yet. They've not even looked at it.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Don't you think this is fabulous?
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I think it's one of the most beautiful chandeliers I've seen.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16It's interesting, I love the colour.
0:15:16 > 0:15:22- We have seen some very nice things here.- That's good.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25I can't force people to buy, so there's always
0:15:25 > 0:15:28the possibility that this will be the one dud sale, this will be
0:15:28 > 0:15:32the one dud exhibition that you do that nobody will buy anything.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34It's possible.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46I don't know where everyone on my stand has gone.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Now she's walking off.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54It may be quiet on the stand but thankfully,
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Gordon has great clients who buy from him year on year.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03At a highly desirable address in St John's Wood,
0:16:03 > 0:16:08interior designer Louise Jones is trying out the 1960s Italian
0:16:08 > 0:16:10glass chandelier, bought from Gordon.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20OK, great. Do you like it from over there, Katie?
0:16:20 > 0:16:25Does the colour look good? Good. We want this sapphire blue, definitely.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Because it runs into the sitting room downstairs.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31So as long as we can really get it lit and it looks punchy,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35it's supposed to look like a big jewel over the staircase.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Although the place is still a vast building site,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Louise knows the chandelier will fit into her scheme.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45It just gives off the right feeling.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49Because it's quite a long walk from upstairs down into this
0:16:49 > 0:16:53basement sitting room and we want this walk to be as inviting
0:16:53 > 0:16:55and interesting as possible.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Standout pieces like the chandelier are strong enough to design
0:17:00 > 0:17:02a whole room around.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03Well, I think it's the colour.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07I think the clean lines, and I think once
0:17:07 > 0:17:12we get this perfectly lit in the space, it's going to be a knockout.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15This fine home will have other items bought from Gordon,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18including another chandelier.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- It looks quite delicate.- It does.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Much more delicate than I thought it would look.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24The whole thing will just sparkle
0:17:24 > 0:17:28and I think it will be absolutely gorgeous.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29- It's very beautiful.- Yeah.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35More and more wealthy individuals are choosing to buy property
0:17:35 > 0:17:38in London and these new homes need furnishing.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Top end design fairs are where these affluent individuals
0:17:43 > 0:17:45might go to buy.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49However, Gordon is having difficulty attracting the discerning crowd.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I want somebody to come on but you've got to wait for them.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57But he has a trick up his sleeve to entice them into his web.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Turkish performance artist, Kutlug Ataman.
0:18:03 > 0:18:09This video installation is on sale for £22,000.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I want that!
0:18:11 > 0:18:15He's called Kutlug Ataman and he is Turkey's best contemporary.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Have you seen it where he goes back and then he can't get up?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- Have you seen that part? - No, I haven't seen that bit.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I just like this with the hair.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- £22,000.- OK. It's a bit more of a decision.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29You could have me for a bit less!
0:18:34 > 0:18:37A customer Gordon is always pleased to see
0:18:37 > 0:18:40is another top interior designer John Minshaw.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44With large budgets and lavish houses to decorate,
0:18:44 > 0:18:49interior designers are some of Gordon's most prized clients.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Come on, let's go.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55John has a trademark look and caters for those, who, for money,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59but not the time or taste, to create such a stylish home.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01A product of art school,
0:19:01 > 0:19:05John is known in the business for his creativity and knowledge.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11People that tend to target me are people that live in a fairly clean,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13hard edged sort of way.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16It's called minimalism but for me, it isn't minimalism,
0:19:16 > 0:19:18it's just pared back.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I have spent my entire life studying this
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and the nuances of different bits of furniture and periods
0:19:24 > 0:19:28and all of those kind of intricate things that designers
0:19:28 > 0:19:30get off on and the client won't
0:19:30 > 0:19:32because they've been too busy earning money doing something else.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Who are my clients? Well, this is often asked
0:19:35 > 0:19:38and the only common denominator is that they are wealthy.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41John's latest client, Russian businesswoman, Tatiana,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43owns a company with her husband.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48We have a construction company in Russia and now it is about
0:19:48 > 0:19:547,500 people are working for him.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58This successful Russian family bought a large end of terraced house
0:19:58 > 0:20:01in one of London's most sought-after locations.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05The house cost over £10 million and under the guidance of John,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09they plan to spend a significant amount more on its refurbishment.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13John was involved in this project from the beginning.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17When he first came, he also saw a lot of potential of the house
0:20:17 > 0:20:21but the house looked quite ugly.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24At this level, with money no object,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27it's common to strip it back to a blank canvas.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31They gut these houses that are finished beautifully.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34They don't like the bathrooms, they don't like the kitchen.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37You gut it, you strip it, you destroy it and you start again.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39For me, it's exciting because I've got my hands, at last,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42on a non-listed building.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46So, Tatiana, basically, we're reinstating, as you know,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48the traditional staircase here
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and the building is now completely opened up.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55I would say probably 65% of the roof is going to be glass.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- Oh, wow! - We lifted off the entire roof
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- and built a glass canopy on the top of it.- I am impressed.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04You have this floor, your bedroom floor
0:21:04 > 0:21:07and the children's floor above.
0:21:07 > 0:21:08It's a peach of a job for me
0:21:08 > 0:21:12and they're buying lots of antiques and Gordon will love this client
0:21:12 > 0:21:14because we're buying a lot of antiques from Gordon.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Oh, yes, an enormous budget.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Yeah. Yeah.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Back at the design fair, Gordon has had some interest,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27but has so far yet to make a sale.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33By carrying a handbag that cost £25,000,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36and are looking at a vase for £6,000 to £8,000,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38you don't have to be a genius to realise it's possible
0:21:38 > 0:21:41they could get their little gold credit card out and buy something.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43They're extraordinary, aren't they?
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Gordon has spotted his opportunity.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Can you see on some, he has put the silver flecks inside?
0:21:57 > 0:21:59He's an architect and a designer.
0:21:59 > 0:22:05She had £200,000 or £300,000 worth of earrings on plus the ring.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10He calls them champagne coolers
0:22:10 > 0:22:13because he likes drinking.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16You see that green.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- It's a mixture of silver and gold. - Inside, yes.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26OK, so, a deal? Thank you very much. So, Nicola?
0:22:26 > 0:22:31I love glass and I am collecting vases usually.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35But this, for the vase, it's a little bit too wide,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38so it was a good idea for champagne!
0:22:38 > 0:22:42OK, very nice meeting you. Bye. Thank you.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45Now I can relax.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48I have done my favourite thing which is red dotting.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50It's good, I've got another six at home.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53After selling the Japanese vases, business takes off
0:22:53 > 0:22:57and by the end of the week, Gordon has more than covered his costs.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Have a look at that, that will chew you up, dear!
0:23:01 > 0:23:03She's called Tamsin Van Essen.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06She's obsessed by apothecary vases in the 16th century.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09He has made priceless contacts
0:23:09 > 0:23:12and sales totalling nearly £250,000.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13That black is...
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Yes, it's really strong.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19The Winstanley painting was bought and will be off to Germany
0:23:19 > 0:23:24and items such as the red Cosmo chairs at £12,500,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27have found homes in the capital's finest properties.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Cheers to me!
0:23:29 > 0:23:32He has not managed to sell his chandelier.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34That must be taken down piece by piece
0:23:34 > 0:23:36and taken back to the warehouse.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Gordon's at the shop to welcome interior designer John Minshaw
0:23:43 > 0:23:45and his Russian client, Tatiana.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49John is interested in something he spotted at the design fair.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53- Hello, John.- Gordon, hi! - How are you?- What an honour!
0:23:53 > 0:23:55What an honour to have you in the shop!
0:23:55 > 0:23:57I like to come at least once a season.
0:23:57 > 0:24:02When a decorator such as John Minshaw comes in with a client,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04that's quite rare.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07That's... I don't know, once a month, maybe.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10These, we saw, and that's the reason why we're here.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Yes, we absolutely adore them.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Gordon is top of the heap, really.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16He has such integrity.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19And he's a joy to work with, really,
0:24:19 > 0:24:21once you get over the initial Gordon!
0:24:22 > 0:24:27I mean, I'm a big man, as you can see, and even for someone like me...
0:24:27 > 0:24:33Very often, if this was French, it would be so wobbly and delicate.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38- There is a real, it's been designed so cleverly.- They're beautiful.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- Shall I show you my new passion? - Yes.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44When they enter the shop, into my lair, it's an opportunity
0:24:44 > 0:24:48for me to show them things that even they didn't know they wanted.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50This is a milk jug.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52They didn't know they were going to buy
0:24:52 > 0:24:54anything other than chairs.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58I knew that I'd got the potential to sell anything in the shop
0:24:58 > 0:25:01and I'd try my darndest to fulfil that potential.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- Your taste?- Not really, no.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09No. I find... Gordon, can I be honest with you?
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I find things like that a bit embarrassing.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16I find that needless sculpture, not pottery. The table is smart.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- Yes?- It's nice. - I think it's very smart.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I love this detail here as well.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26My hit rate with Gordon is pretty high.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Most shops I will just wing in and wing out.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32In Gordon's shop, you tend to hover and look around
0:25:32 > 0:25:37because he will have things which make you think twice about it.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38Let me sketch it in but I like it.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42OK, we will send you the details. The chairs are 21.
0:25:42 > 0:25:48We quoted you 18, and I would sell them...
0:25:51 > 0:25:54OK, 16.5.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56They're good.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57The colour's great.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01You shouldn't just say, I know you're already rich,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04we'll buy that at any cost, because that's crazy.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07OK, if we can have the details of them, we'll put them in the thing.
0:26:07 > 0:26:08I love them.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13John buys the pair of John Gibbings chairs for £16,500.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Thank you very, very much.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Tatiana, I hope it's picking up the children
0:26:18 > 0:26:20and not going to another shop!
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Very nice to meet you.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24I'm sorry I've given you the full sales thing,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26I'm usually much more gentle.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29You don't go to Gordon if you're on a budget.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35But what you get is, in the end, worth it, I think.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Tatiana, thank you very much.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- I will see you for the site meeting on Wednesday.- Bye, Tatiana.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47- Oh, she's lovely.- She's gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55When Gordon has endured a hectic time in London,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59he likes to escape to his Moroccan refuge.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01I love Tangier.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04This is where I've got the dog, where I have my library.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07This is really where I consider home.
0:27:07 > 0:27:08I love deadheading.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Deadheading and watering are my favourite things.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13It's where I just potter around,
0:27:13 > 0:27:17I wear a white nightie most of the time.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19And I just potter.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22The days just go by with me thinking.
0:27:22 > 0:27:23It's where I recharge.
0:27:23 > 0:27:29It's a well earned rest. The art fairs have been a success.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Cheers to me!
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Gordon has travelled far and wide,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36seeking out the rarest pieces to buy.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Oh, my God, extraordinary!
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Not only is it functional, it is astoundingly beautiful.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44He has sold many of his finds to collectors.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- OK, so a deal?- A deal.
0:27:46 > 0:27:47Thank you very much.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51And impressed lords, ladies and billionaires.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54I love the way they rock in the wind.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58But for now, Gordon can put all thoughts of work behind him
0:27:58 > 0:28:01and relax in his Moroccan oasis.