Homes & Antiques

Do you consider yourself a collector? A friendly dealer recently advised me that ‘once you’ve amassed a few, you’re a collector; once you’ve amassed many, you’re a dealer,’ and I suspect that a high proportion of our readers comfortably occupy one of these camps. I grew up around collectors – my grandmother’s cabinets stacked high with precious blue-and-white ceramics – and a recent visit got me thinking about what it means to be so captivated by objects. Typically, Ellie Tennant was one step ahead of me, and has been exploring the art of collecting through the ages, digging as far back as 105,000 years ago, when it has been revealed that people in southern Africa collected crystals. Settle in for a fascinating read on page 29… you may see a…

THE EXPERIENCE All aboard the Albatros Langdale Chase, Lake District Luxurious Langdale Chase hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere has launched Albatros – the first UK hotel yacht of its kind. Built in 1928, the vessel has been meticulously restored to mirror the glamour and heritage of the Grade II-listed hotel, and will offer scheduled and private cruises for up to 12 guests. Upon returning to the hotel, guests can enjoy a Swallows and Amazons-inspired afternoon tea, or activities such as wine tasting, guided wild swimming, hiking and more. langdalechase.co.uk THE EXHIBITION Oliver Messel: Designer, Maker, Influencer 16th May – 21st August, Glyndebourne, East Sussex Marking the launch of Glyndebourne Festival 2025, this exhibition celebrates a visionary 20th-century designer, whose work spanned costume, set and interior design. Oliver Messel…

Last November, movie buffs flocked to see a pair of ruby sequinned slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz as they went on show in London at the Mayfair showroom of Heritage Auctions. Mouthwateringly, these were the very heels that Garland’s character, Dorothy, clicked together three times at the end of the iconic 1939 film, while simultaneously declaring ‘There’s no place like home’, as she and her pet dog, Toto, magically returned to Kansas. Joe Maddalena, Heritage Auctions’ entertainment memorabilia specialist, says the importance of these ruby slippers cannot be overstated, and describes them as ‘the most important prop in Hollywood history’. And he should know, having brought to market Marilyn Monroe’s white ‘Subway’ dress from The Seven Year Itch and Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber from the Star…

Iconic acorns A love of nature radiates from every brushmark made by Wiltshire-based designer and illustrator Fanny Shorter. Using traditional printing processes, the artist’s wallpapers are surface- or screen-printed in Leicestershire, and her latest offering, Mill Oak (£159 per 10m roll), encapsulates this quintessential symbol of British heritage. fannyshorter.com Soft landing Come on in, pull up a stool, but just make sure it’s one of these beauties from Arlo & Jacob. Each footstool is crafted with supreme comfort in mind, and made to order, so you can choose the exact fabric you want. Accent footstools start from £276 for a small Drum design, seen here in spicy Turmeric. arloandjacob.com Shades of Charleston Bold and beautifully bohemian, Bloomsbury Revisited will usher a slice of Charleston Farmhouse into your home. Find shades…

While today ‘folk art’ often conjures images of dancing florals and stylised figures, the term wasn’t commonly used until the 19th century. Once described by William Morris as ‘anything exhibiting cultural heritage in a non-elitist, primitive or homemade style’, folk art is typically rooted in tradition and community, with skills and techniques passed down through multiple generations. Despite its far-reaching roots and wildly varied forms, there are several visual qualities that link folk art pieces together – a common thread being expressive painted details. Tess Newall, a decorative artist known for her hand-painted murals and furniture, explains: ‘Folk art is imbued with emotion. It is a very pure form of art, made from the heart, often to tell a story.’ It’s resourceful too, she continues. ‘People created patterns using the…

Fabric Wallpaper Combine whimsical folk prints in different scales for a pleasing effect. Choosing a selection of unifying hues – such as reds, greens and neutrals – will help to curate a cosy and cohesive look that ties the patterns together…