Viki Knott: Edinburgh’s Antiques Dealer Blending Heritage, Design, and Sustainable Creativity

In the evolving world of antiques and interiors, few figures manage to balance tradition and modern relevance as effectively as Viki Knott. Based in Edinburgh, she has built a reputation not only as an antiques dealer but also as a textile specialist, curator, and creative entrepreneur.

Her work goes beyond buying and selling old objects. It reflects a broader philosophy—one that values craftsmanship, sustainability, and thoughtful design. Through her shop, media presence, and sustainable fashion projects, she has become a distinctive voice in the UK antiques scene.

A Dealer with a Curatorial Eye

At the heart of Viki Knott’s work is a strong curatorial instinct. She is not interested in filling space with stock; instead, she selects pieces that carry visual impact, historical relevance, and emotional character.

Her focus includes:

• Scottish pine furniture from the 19th century
• Ecclesiastical antiques with architectural detail
• Decorative objects with strong patina
• Textiles with cultural and historical depth
• Small-scale furniture with interior design appeal

Rather than treating antiques as relics, she presents them as usable, livable objects. This approach allows historical items to sit comfortably within modern homes without losing their identity.

The Edinburgh Shop Experience

Her physical shop in Edinburgh acts as both a retail space and a visual storytelling environment. It is carefully arranged to feel more like a curated gallery than a traditional antiques warehouse.

Visitors are encouraged to slow down, observe details, and understand the background of each piece. Lighting, spacing, and arrangement all contribute to an atmosphere that highlights texture and craftsmanship.

The shop is open on weekends, creating a sense of exclusivity and anticipation for regular visitors and collectors.

Overview Table: Business and Creative Profile

Antiques Specialisation and Sourcing Style

One of the defining features of her work is her sourcing strategy. Instead of relying on bulk acquisition or predictable inventory, she prioritises individuality.

She often looks for:

• Pieces with original patina rather than over-restored finishes
• Items with regional or cultural relevance
• Furniture with strong proportions suitable for modern interiors
• Decorative objects with unusual detailing or craftsmanship

This careful selection process ensures that every item in her collection feels intentional. Buyers are not just purchasing furniture—they are acquiring a piece of history that has been thoughtfully positioned for contemporary life.

Television Exposure and Industry Recognition

A significant moment in her public profile came through her appearances on Salvage Hunters, a programme known for following dealers as they search for valuable and interesting antiques across the UK.

On the show, she is seen making independent buying decisions and demonstrating a strong understanding of design value. Her interactions highlight confidence, knowledge of materials, and a clear sense of aesthetics.

The programme, hosted by antiques dealer Drew Pritchard, has introduced her work to a broader audience and strengthened her credibility within the antiques trade.

Unlike heavily dramatized television personalities, her presence is understated and focused on the objects themselves rather than performance.

The Digital Layer of Her Business

Alongside her physical shop, Viki Knott has built a strong online identity. Social media plays an important role in how she communicates with customers and showcases new stock.

Her digital presence includes:

• Regular updates on new antiques arrivals
• Styling inspiration for interiors
• Behind-the-scenes sourcing moments
• Short narratives about individual pieces
• Visual storytelling through curated photography

This approach helps her reach an international audience without losing the personal tone of a small independent business.

The online platform acts as an extension of her shop rather than a separate marketing channel.

Sustainable Fashion and Textile Revival

One of the most interesting developments in her career is her expansion into sustainable clothing. This is not a shift away from antiques but a continuation of her interest in textiles.

She works with vintage sarees and repurposed fabrics to create clothing that is both visually striking and environmentally conscious.

This process involves:

• Carefully selecting vintage textiles with strong patterns and durability
• Reconstructing them into wearable modern silhouettes
• Preserving original fabric identity wherever possible
• Producing limited-run garments

The result is clothing that carries history in a wearable form. Each piece becomes unique due to the nature of the materials used.

This approach aligns strongly with slow fashion principles and offers an alternative to mass-produced clothing.

Viki Knott Instagram

@viki__knott

Brand Philosophy and Identity

At a broader level, Viki Knott’s brand is built on a few consistent ideas:

1. Respect for Craftsmanship

Whether furniture or fabric, the focus is always on quality of construction and design.

2. Sustainability Through Reuse

Instead of creating demand for new materials, her work extends the life of existing objects.

3. Curated Aesthetic

Everything presented—whether online or in-store—follows a consistent visual language.

4. Emotional Connection

Items are chosen not only for value but for how they feel in a space.

Why Her Approach Resonates

In a market often dominated by fast interiors trends, her approach stands out because it feels grounded and intentional. Customers are drawn to:

• Authenticity rather than mass production
• Stories behind objects
• Limited availability of pieces
• A strong sense of personal curation

This creates loyalty among collectors, designers, and individuals looking to build meaningful interiors rather than temporary décor.

Business Structure and Professional Direction

Her business operations are structured across multiple registered companies, all based in Edinburgh. This reflects a strategy that separates antiques trading and fashion development while maintaining a unified creative identity.

The dual structure allows flexibility:

• One branch focuses on antiques, sourcing, and retail
• The other supports textile-based fashion projects
• Both feed into the same brand philosophy

This setup helps maintain clarity while supporting expansion into different creative directions.

Challenges in the Antiques and Creative Market

Running a business like this also comes with challenges:

• Limited supply of high-quality antiques
• Rising competition in curated interiors markets
• Balancing physical retail with online expectations
• Maintaining sustainability in sourcing practices
• Navigating seasonal fluctuations in demand

Despite these challenges, her model benefits from adaptability and strong brand recognition.

Future Direction

Looking ahead, the combination of antiques and sustainable fashion places her in a unique position. There is growing interest in:

• Ethical consumption
• Slow interiors
• Vintage restoration
• Textile reuse

Her work already aligns closely with these movements, suggesting continued relevance in both the antiques and fashion industries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Viki Knott?

Viki Knott is an Edinburgh-based antiques dealer, textile specialist, and creative entrepreneur known for her curated shop and sustainable fashion work.

2. What is she known for?

She is known for selling Scottish antiques, vintage textiles, and for her sustainable clothing made from repurposed fabrics.

3. Has she appeared on television?

Yes, she has appeared on Salvage Hunters, where she is seen sourcing and evaluating antiques.

4. What makes her business different?

Her focus on curation, sustainability, and blending antiques with fashion sets her apart from traditional dealers.

5. Does she work online as well?

Yes, she maintains an active social media presence showcasing antiques, interiors, and fashion pieces.

6. Does Viki Knott have a Wikipedia page?

As of now, she does not have an official Wikipedia page. Most information about her comes from business records, media appearances, and social platforms. 

Conclusion

Viki Knott represents a modern evolution of the antiques dealer—someone who does not simply preserve the past but reinterprets it. Through her Edinburgh-based shop, television appearances, and sustainable fashion work, she has built a brand rooted in authenticity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design.

Her ability to bridge antiques and contemporary lifestyle trends gives her work a distinctive identity. Rather than treating heritage as something static, she treats it as something adaptable—capable of being reintroduced into modern life in meaningful ways.

In doing so, she demonstrates that antiques are not just about history. They are about continuity, reinvention, and the ongoing relationship between past and present.