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An English Woman Abroad
In the 17th and 18th centuries young gentlemen were encouraged to take a tour of Europe in order to complete their education and broaden their horizons. It enabled them to discover the cultural wonders of Europe and perhaps to sow a few wild oats before settling down to a respectable adult life. But what about their sisters? Did they sit meekly at home practising their accomplishments? Well, not always, as we discovered recently at Basildon Park. This painting…
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Interior Inspiration
We’ve been working on a house renovation project for some time now and have had to focus on all the necessary but less exciting tasks: roof repairs, rotten beams, new windows, new boiler etc. But FINALLY, this year, we can make a start on the INTERIORS! Although this house is not a grand pile, we still love to take inspiration from the wonderful stately homes and country houses we have visited. For example: we adore the pink fabric…
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Barons Hall at Raby Castle
There are a few historic homes that we come back to time and time again, Raby Castle is one such place. Having visited on a number of occasions, exploring both the wonderful grounds and splendid interiors, we often think what a wonderful place it must be to call home. Walking through the Baron’s Hall, you can’t help but think of the important English history that took place within the castle’s walls. From the birth of Cecily Neville (mother…
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Beckford’s Tower
If you drive into Bath along the Lansdown Road you will pass Beckford’s Tower on the right. This extraordinary architectural folly was built in 1827 in the neoclassical style on Lansdown Hill. It was financed by an eccentric, wealthy local resident, William Beckford. He was an art collector, novelist, art collector and critic. He used the tower as a retreat and library, with the cupola at the top providing views over the surrounding countryside. However, as was sadly…
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Weaving some magic
We’re looking back to North Norfolk today to view this stunning room at Blickling Hall. It was created to accommodate the large tapestry which depicts Peter the Great defeating the Swedes at the Battle of Poltswa in 1709. We believe that the beautiful pink damask on the walls was created by Humphries Weaving who are based in Sudbury in Suffolk. The company specialises in custom Jacquard designs and we have featured their glorious textiles before. You can also…
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The Society Beauty
Sophia Catherine Musters was a noted society beauty and here Sir Joshua Reynolds has portrayed her, at the age of 24, as Hebe. The latter was the Goddess of Youth and cupbearer of Mountain Olympus. This rather daring portrait at Kenwood House replaces an previous one which was given to the Prince of Wales, later George IV and rumoured to be her lover. This earlier portrait was a fairly conventional depiction of a young bride. Perhaps her husband…
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A moment of reflection
It’s the last day of January and already there is a feeling that Spring is on the way. The evenings are a little bit lighter and give us hope when too much of what is happening in the world at the moment is so dark. The snowdrops are coming up in the garden and the song thrush is singing it’s early song in the orchard. Nature always finds a way to recover and so must we. We hope…
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‘The season is so sharp’ – Charles 1
On the 30 January 1649, Charles I walked through St James Park. It was a cold morning and the King had chosen to wear two shirts as he did not want the watching crowds to think he was shivering through fear. ‘The season is so sharp as probably may make me shake, which some observers may imagine proceeds from fear. I would have no such imputation’ He was led through Whitehall Palace to the Banqueting house, where he…
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Staffordshire Dogs
Our Staffordshire Dog Display team appears to be very sociable and there is always room for one more on the yew table, in the foreground. The Greyhounds, however, insist that the mantelpiece is reserved for sight hounds only. They like to look down on us all. We keep the peace by giving them all a change of scenery and a good dusting now and again. 😂
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‘I had these eight English Countesses in the car once!’
On this day, Mum was in her element having just picked up some lovely mezzotints from an auction house in the South of England. They feature eight English countesses by Pierre Lombart (1613-1681) after Sir Anthony Van Dyck. We think the original paintings are in Petworth House and hope to visit them soon. Buying at auction is great fun and there are lovely things just waiting to be found, often at very reasonable prices. If you can’t view…
