Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2017 i Homes & Antiques

Welcome to this very special issue of H&A. We’re thrilled that you can join us in celebrating our 300th edition. We wanted to make this a memorable one, so we have lots of treats in store – from our party shoot showcasing three decades of decadent style (p48) to our feature recalling the most seminal auction sales since the magazine launched (p114). Also, pop a cork with us as we look back on the sparkling history of champagne (p124). So much has changed in the 24 years since our first issue, from what we choose to live with in our homes (p56–p89) to how we source those items. But we like to think that H&A offers a constant. An early cover in 1993 promised that the magazine would be ‘blending…

TWITTER, FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM • Aqeela Lindsay This cover looks amazing! Just my style! • Mustard Vintage AUTUMN MUST HAVE. The latest edition of @homes_antiques • Evans Murphy Antique @EvoMurf It’s here! I do look forward to reading every new issue of @homes_antiques • Brian Smith @glendaleantique Waiting on the hall mat this morning was my faithful friend, this month’s @homes_antiques • Waddesdon Curators @WMCurators Beautiful piece about Waddesdon Manor ‘A palace of treasures’ by @homes_antiques featuring our treasured @WMelephant • Simon Midgley The new issue of @homes_antiques has got me in the mood for a cosy #autumn – mainly because of its cover star @oyunalondon & featured throws • Jan Murphy Can’t wait to grab some time and get reading! • Carol McGuire Mine arrived on my birthday. Perfect…

JMW TURNER Depicting the Swiss mountain, The Blue Rigi is considered to be one of Turner’s best artworks, and it has sold at Christie’s no less than four times over the past century. First bought by the artist Elhanan Bicknell in 1842, it was sold at Christie’s following his death. It was then bought by JE Taylor, and sold again in 1912 to Agnews, the art dealers. Thereafter, it was bought by Walter H Jones, and finally sold in 2006 to the Tate Britain for £5,826,000!…

ART APPRECIATION WITH THE ART INSTITUTE £649 for six months online.theartinstitute.co.uk PAINTED FURNITURE AT CHARLESTON £100–£110, 30th Oct. 01323 811626; charleston.org.uk CALLIGRAPHY WITH METICULOUS INK £48 for one day. 01225 333004; meticulousink.com ILLUSTRATION AT CAPEL MANOR COLLEGE £215 for three days. 0303 003 1234; capel.ac.uk INTERIOR DESIGN WITH INCHBALD £26,546 for one year. 020 7730 5508; inchbald.co.uk…

Quentin Blake: Inside Stories Quentin Blake’s free-flowing, vibrant and expressive sketches have brought to life some of Britain’s most celebrated children’s books, from the charming mischief of Roald Dahl’s The BFG and James and the Giant Peach, to modern classics by comedian David Walliams. Visit Compton Verney this autumn to explore over 140 of Blake’s original drawings and storyboards. * 21st October–17th December. Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ. 01926 645500; comptonverney.org.uk DEATH IN THE ICE Sir John Franklin’s lost expedition to the Arctic in 1845 is one of history’s greatest puzzles. Search missions found wrecks and graves of several crew members, but it wasn’t until 2014 that the final missing ship, Erebus, was discovered. Through expedition relics, ‘Death in the Ice’ offers visitors the opportunity to examine this mystery. *…

To celebrate our 300th issue, we’ve teamed up with Designers Guild to offer every Homes & Antiques reader an exclusive 20 per cent discount on its Autumn/Winter 2017 bed, bath and home accessories collections, both in-store and online. This season, you will find an eclectic mix of stylish elements to give you all the tools you need to express your own style at home. Choose from romantic painterly florals to crisp minimal whites and neutrals, touches of deep saturated plain colour to masculine geometrics, and so much in between. Take your pick from exquisite cushions, luxurious throws and quilts, contemporary bed linen, bespoke bedroom furniture and a rich selection of rugs. Everything you need, in fact, for a fabulous interior this season! For more information, visit designersguild.com HOW TO CLAIM…

JUDITH MILLER Antiques Roadshow specialist and founder of Miller’s Guides, blog.millersantiquesguide.com A 19TH-CENTURY MAHOGANY CHEST OF DRAWERS Mahogany furniture from the 19th century is ridiculously under-priced at the moment. For £300, you can find a good, solid, stylish chest of drawers. We have effectively talked these pieces down. A WEDGWOOD THREE-DISC DARK-BLUE SHERINGHAM CANDLESTICK This candlestick, designed by Ronald Stennett-Willson in 1967, is a great example of intricate hand-blown glass. It’s a good collecting area, too – the candlesticks were made with between one and nine discs, in dark blue, dark green, amethyst, clear or topaz. A GEORG JENSEN NECKLACE Designed by Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen, this silver ‘Splash’ necklace (model 88B) has a distinctly modern look. It is organic and flowing, almost playful – quite unlike…

1 Wall painted in ‘Kyoto Blossom’, £44 per 2.5l, Designers Guild. Balloon, from a selection; tassels, £13.99 per pack, both Talking Tables. Brass étagère, c1970, £950, L&V Art and Design. On étagère, upper tier: disco-ball lights, £13.99, Talking Tables; disco ball, 1970s, £55, Renato at Alfies Antique Market; notebook, £26, Rockett St George; ice-fountain bottles, £6.99 each, Talking Tables; for similar vintage camera, try Alfies Antique Market; vintage cocktail shaker, £175, Gazelles; napkins, £3.49 for 16, Talking Tables. On étagère, lower tier: Val Saint Lambert vase, c1950s, £195, L&V Art and Design; straws, £2.99 for 30, Talking Tables; ‘Globo’ boxes, from £198 each, Jonathan Adler 2 Wall painted as before. Stilnovo brass chandelier, £1,950, Ed Butcher. Star garlands, £9.99 each, Talking Tables. Italian sofa, 1950s, £3,950, Ed Butcher. Cushions, £26.99…

From ancient stately homes to sleek art deco mansions, over the years Homes & Antiques has been afforded incredible access to some of the UK’s most inspiring historic houses currently open to the public. Although the original owners are now long gone, these important buildings remain home to unique collections of furniture, art and artefacts – often accumulated across many generations – which offer a fascinating window into the past. The way we choose to decorate our homes says much about who we are and how we hope to be seen by others. Here, we revisit five extraordinary houses that are not only wonderful examples of interiors from their time, they are also emphatic expressions of each owner’s personality and unique aesthetic. A LA RONDE The extraordinary product of two…

1 VENERATED VESSELS Legend has it that the champagne coupe was modelled on the breast of Marie Antoinette, but its shape dates back earlier than the 18th century, says Andy McConnell of Glass Etc. ‘In paintings such as The Wedding Feast at Cana by Veronese (1563), Christ’s disciples are drinking wine from coupes,’ he says. ‘Glassware was prestigious at the time and people wanted it in their paintings.’ 2 BURSTING THE BUBBLE It’s a long-held belief that Dom Pérignon, a monk and cellar master at the Benedictine abbey in Hautvillers, produced the first sparkling champagne, uttering the words: ‘Come quickly, I am drinking the stars!’ But wine merchant and vineyard owner Robert Walters dispels the myth in his book, Bursting Bubbles. According to Walters, during Pérignon’s lifetime (1638–1715) champagne was…

PRICE GUIDE £ Under £100 per room per night • ££ From £100–£200 per room per night £££ From £200–£300 per room per night • ££££ Over £300 per room per night PARIS  Indulge in classical splendour or go for quirky Parisian cool in the French capital C.O.Q  ££ The city’s 13th arrondissement is not a conventional choice for tourists, however in recent years this once-industrial quarter has started attracting cool new businesses that are transforming the neighbourhood. In the vanguard is C.O.Q, which stands for Community Of Quality, the charmingly creative vision of a Parisian interior design duo with an eye for antiques. The pair have individually furnished the hotel with mid-century Danish furniture, pieces created by the designers themselves, classic French portraiture and iconic Italian design. As lovely…

GEORGIAN JEWELS Head east to historic Spitalfields Market and, while you’re in the area, admire the beautifully preserved early Georgian houses on Fournier Street, once home to Huguenot silk weavers. PIMLICO ROAD An antiques hotspot since the 1960s, Pimlico Road in Belgravia is a modern-day magnet for those shopping for antiques, interiors and art. There are plenty of places to dine and a farmers’ market every Saturday too. PORTOBELLO ROAD This Notting Hill antiques market originally sold food until the 1940s, when rag-and-bone men began to bring odds and ends. Antiques and vintage dealers soon joined. Fridays and Saturdays are the days to go.…

1. ELGAR SHIRTS Do you need an excuse to wear something long and lovely in a beautiful colour? Our classic robes will bring a bit of smoking-jacket glamour to your life. Robes are generously cut for men but look great on women too. Elgar makes shirts and waistcoats, smocks and chemises, nightshirts and robes in lovely natural fabrics, based on historic styles. elgarshirts.com  // 01442 882346 2. ARTISAN POSTBOXES & SIGNS Handcrafted from heavy-duty cast aluminium by artisans in Northamptonshire, these postboxes and signs make a very thoughtful Christmas present for a special person or to treat yourself! They can all be fully personalised. Numbers from £39.50, signs from £75 and postboxes from £295. Get inspiration online or call for a brochure. rockartisansigns.co.uk  // 01327 351561 3. BRAMBLE SIGNS A…

30 SEMINAL SALES Wallis Simpson’s prized 1940s flamingo brooch sold for £1,721,250 at Sotheby’s in 2010 p114 TIMELESS STYLE Rooms that feel comfortable and calm invariably contain an element of symmetry p104 OPEN HOUSE After falling foul of Napoleon III, Victor Hugo settled at Hauteville House. Here, he wrote Les Misérables p90 DESIGN HISTORY The use of the elegant champagne coupe dates back at least as far as the 16th century p124 SALE STORY Forty-eight years since man landed on the Moon, Neil Armstrong’s lunar bag fetched an astronomical sum p132 Follow us... FOLLOW THE H&A TEAM… … on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for regular updates and to find out which fairs we’ll be visiting…

SPARKS FLY Bring decadence to your party with touches of gold, black and pewter. Delicious truffles, party poppers and sparklers add playful twinkle. Flute glasses, £19.50 each; garland light chain, £42, all Rockett St George. Star sparklers, £4.99 for five; ‘Pop Bang Spark’ party poppers, £4.99 for 10; metallic paper fans, £29.99, all Talking Tables. Agate coasters, £9.50, Raj Tent Club. Cocktail glass, £32.50, English Antique Glass STYLE STEER ‘If you’re hosting a party, prepare as many dishes as you can in advance, so that you can spend time with your guests and not just the oven! Greet them with a smile, a little canapé and a glass of something sparkling, and the mood will be set.’ Raymond Blanc OBE, Chef Patron at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons FROM THE…

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: 40 YEARS OF GREAT FINDS One of the nation’s favourite television programmes, Antiques Roadshow has been on our screens for 40 years. In this fascinating book, Roadshow experts Paul Atterbury and Marc Allum reveal some of the extraordinary stories behind the show’s greatest finds. Look out for Ozzie the rare slipware owl, brought to the attention of Henry Sandon in 1990, and an extraordinary Old Master painting, bought in a Norwich antiques shop for just £400. * £20, William Collins BEYOND PARNHAM Forty years after he founded Parnham College in Dorset, furniture legend John Makepeace OBE reflects on the extraordinary talent that emerged from the institution. Exploring the unique way in which Parnham equipped young designers for their careers, the book depicts some seriously swoon-worthy furniture. * £35,…

Producing collectable pieces that span over 250 years of design, Wedgwood ceramics have graced the dinner tables of the Vatican and the White House, as well as some of the world’s most luxurious hotels. Born into a family of potters, Josiah Wedgwood began working as an independent potter in Staffordshire in 1759. He was experimental and playful, keen to develop new methods of moulding, firing and decorating clay that were entirely unique. Recognising his natural flair for ceramics, Wedgwood’s cousin agreed to lease him the Ivy House Works in Burslem for £10 a year. Situated in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent’s pottery district, this allowed Wedgwood to start his own business, which flourished. His Jasperware designs, inspired by the soft colours and textures of Ancient Greek vases, proved popular among heads…

BEAULIEU, HAMPSHIRE Visit the ancient home of the Montagu family for a night of fireworks and entertainment. 28th Oct. £13 entry. 01590 612345; beaulieu.co.uk CHATSWORTH, DERBYSHIRE Does anything sound better than watching fireworks beneath the shadow of Palladian gem, Chatsworth House? 4th–5th November. £15 entry. 01246 565 300; chatsworth.org CASTLE RISING, NORFOLK Visit one of England’s most atmospheric 12th-century castles for a night of fun and celebrations. 28th Oct. 01553 631330; castlerising.co.uk KENILWORTH CASTLE, WARWICKSHIRE With a tower built to woo Elizabeth I, this ancient fortress looks fantastic as a backdrop for fireworks. 4th November. £10 entry. kenilworthroundtable.com LEEDS CASTLE, KENT Be a guest at the former home of Henry VII for this bonfire spectacular. 4th–5th November. £22 entry. 01622 765400; leeds-castle.com WESTON PARK, SHROPSHIRE Admire the bonfire and watch…

NEW Concrete pendant, £70, House of Fraser. 0345 602 1073; houseof fraser.co.uk NEW ‘Harvest Hare’ wallpaper, £66 per roll, Mark Hearld at St Jude’s. 01603 662951; stjudesfabrics.co.uk NEW Wooden round mirror, £55, Marks & Spencer. 0333 014 8000; marksandspencer.com OLD 18th-century French blue painted cabinet, £2,850, Lorfords. 01666 505111; lorfordsantiques.com OLD Late 19th-century French painted ladder, £320, Puckhaber. 020 3304 7327; puckhaberdecorative antiques.com OLD Swedish painted folk art box, £580, Robert Hirschhorn Antiques. 020 7703 7443; hirschhornantiques.com OLD Swedish Mora clock, £2,400, Gustavian. 020 7060 2680; gustavian.com NEW ‘Cobweave’ wool throw in ‘Mustard’, £59, The British Blanket Company. 0845 474 2747; thebritish blanketcompany.com NEW ‘Meadow’s Edge’ cushion cover, £38, Angie Lewin at St Jude’s. 01603 662951; stjudesfabrics.co.uk NEW ‘Studio Couch’ in ‘E651’ fabric with clear matt frame, £3,010, Ercol. 01844…

HOME OF THE MONTH HAUTEVILLE HOUSE, Victor Hugo’s imaginatively decorated Guernsey home is both an expression of the writer’s unique aesthetic and a representation of his ideas and philosophy. Hugo moved to Guernsey in 1855, where he wrote some of his most famous works, including Toilers of the Sea, which he dedicated to the island PAGE 90…

Gammelgård, just north of Helsinki, is an idyllic hamlet where the houses still bear the names they were listed under in 1540, despite many of them having been rebuilt and reconfigured over the centuries that have followed. Juun is one such house, built in the Empire style and now home to Maria Rehbinder, her sister, Sofia, and their four children. Approached along a winding country lane, surrounded by ancient oaks and weeping willows, with a lake where everyone swims in summer and cross-country skis throughout the winter, it is hard to believe the capital is only a few miles away. Harder still to imagine the house as it was when the sisters first set foot across the threshold 11 years ago. ‘It hadn’t been lived in for over 25 years. The…

TIMELESS STYLE Master the art of the classic decorating scheme with Maggie Stevenson’s essential guide PAGE 104 POP THE CORK To celebrate our 300th issue, we look back over the history of the merriest of party tipples – champagne! PAGE 124 ONE GIANT SALE As an Apollo 11 sample bag fetches over $1.8m, we take a closer look at Sotheby’s space exploration sale PAGE 132 SEMINAL SALES We reveal 30 of the biggest auctions in H& A’s history, including a famous author’s golden typewriter… PAGE 114…

A major feature of the Sotheby’s sale was a set of lunar photographs. The highest priced, an arresting image of Charlie Duke from the Apollo 16 mission on the moon’s surface (right), fetched $37,500. Photographs of the moon have been taken since 1840, when American photographer Dr John William Draper (also credited with taking the earliest clear image of a female face) took the first. The astronauts on the Apollo missions used adapted Hasselblad cameras to make the most of the meagre light and the resulting prints are highly sought after (not least by the artist Damien Hirst). ‘Vintage NASA photographs are quite difficult to find, especially in good condition,’ says Valentina Borghi, specialist at Bloomsbury Auctions, which held a sale of more than 600 space photographs in 2015. Images…

HANG OUT IN LE MARAIS Browse for vintage pieces and cafe-crawl in this historic Jewish quarter, which is filled with antiques shops and tempting boutiques. When you get peckish, stop for a falafel: you’ll find the very best around the city in this neighbourhood. DINE LIKE IT’S 1686 Le Procope (procope.com) is Paris’s oldest cafe and was serving citizens almost a century before the French Revolution. If you’re feeling brave, order the calf’s head, one of the dishes served when Le Procope opened its doors in 1686. GAZE ON GOTHIC SPLENDOUR Skip the queues at Notre Dame and instead visit the Ile de la Cité’s less celebrated Gothic masterpiece, the 13th-century Sainte-Chapelle. Built in seven years and modest in size, the sacred building holds a secret within: its wondrous vaulted…

NORTH & SCOTLAND 1st Fancy That? Vintage Bazaar, Inglis Hall, High Street, Edzell, Angus, DD9 7TF. 11am–4pm. Free. 01356 648732; wefancythat.co.uk 4th Antique, Vintage & Collectors Fair, Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2QL. 10am–4pm. £2. 01764 654555; scotfairs.co.uk 4th AdVintageous Vintage Fair, Leeds City Market, 28–34 George Street, Leeds, LS2 7HY. 10am–4pm. Free. advintageous.co.uk 4th Antiques and Collectors Fair, St George’s Hall, Liverpool, L1 1JJ. 9.30am–4pm. £2.50. 0151 259 6873; carbootle.co.uk 4th–5th The Yorkshire Antiques & Art Fair, Halls 1 and 2, Yorkshire Event Centre, The Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate, HG2 8QZ. 10am–5pm. £6. 01274 588505; antiquesfairs.com 11th Saltaire Record & Retro Fair, Caroline Social Club, Caroline Street, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, BD18 3JZ. 10am–3.30pm. 50p. 07933 671303; roseandbrownvintage.co.uk 12th The Vintage Village, Stockport Covered Market Hall, Market Place, Stockport,…

Without a doubt, the best-known name in 18th-century English furniture design – and perhaps any English furniture design predating the 20th century – Thomas Chippendale was responsible for producing some of the finest pieces to grace the grandest homes of Georgian England. Made mainly in the rococo and neoclassical styles, the range of furniture and furnishings produced by his workshop in London’s fashionable St Martin’s Lane was vast, ranging from chairs, sofas, beds and cabinets, to clock cases, mirrors and wallpaper. Chippendale provided his wealthy clients with everything they needed to stage the most fashionable of interiors, many of which can still be found in England’s best country houses. But his influence went further: the illustrated book of his furniture designs, The Gentleman and Cabinetmaker’s Director, spread his ideas across…

Glass millefiori I first came across Homes & Antiques while holidaying in Sidmouth. It is such an exquisite magazine, I decided to have it delivered every month to my home in Canada. I spend hours enjoying the articles, not to mention the beautiful photographs. So I figured that you would be the perfect people to help me. I’ve had this brightly coloured glass jug in my family for the past 30 years and haven’t been able to find a single bit of information on it. Are you able to shed some light? CHRISTINE TSOTROS, CANADA EXPERT ADVICE ANDY MCCONNELL, owner of Glass Etc in Rye Well, there’s a lot of history in this little jug, in that the technique used to form it dates back centuries. It’s known as millefiori…

SALE OF NOTE CELEBRATE! Leading independent auctioneer Catherine Southon celebrates the 5th anniversary of her Surrey salesroom on 1st November. Highlights at her next auction include a collection of Mappin & Webb silver, including this sugar shaker (est £80–£100), plus a collection of 1930s fashion illustrations (£200–£300) and Smilby cartoons. BBC’s Bargain Hunt team will also be filming a special celebrity auction for Children in Need. * 020 8313 3655; catherinesouthon.co.uk…

A party just isn’t a party without a vintage bar cart adorned with glasses, straws, stirrers and delicious drinks to sip. Discover how to make the most of yours, and swot up on tasty cocktail recipes to wow your guests. (£16.99, Chronicle Books) Illustrator, crafter and all-round doyenne of party planning, Darcy Miller explains how to make your special occasions memorable. From picking a theme to writing the invitations, this is the ultimate guide to hosting. (£20, William Morrow) Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner or a large-scale knees-up, Decorate for a Party is sure to ignite your creativity. Choose from a vast array of DIY party ideas, and see how to tailor each look to your space. (£20, Jacqui Small)…

LOTS TO LOVE DECO DRAMA This turquoise brooch is sure to turn heads on 18th Nov. It was given by Queen Victoria to her youngest daughter (est £3,000–£5,000). * 01969 623780; tennants.co.uk If vintage is your thing, don’t miss these rare silkscreen wallpaper samples (est £300–£500), for sale 2nd Dec. * 01628 944100; dawsonsauctions.co.uk If you’re lucky enough to own an ivory and bronze figure by German sculptor Ferdinand Preiss, get it insured! This cabinet figure dates from the 1920s and is estimated to reach £6,000–£9,000 on 18th Nov. * 01969 623780; tennants.co.uk…

• 1st Quarterly Antiques, Catherine Southon, Farleigh Court, Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, Surrey, CR6 9PE. 020 8313 3655; catherinesouthon.co.uk • 2nd Antiques & Fine Art, Silver & Jewellery, Adam Partridge, Withyfold Drive, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 2BD. 01625 431788; adampartridge.co.uk • 4th Saturday Sale, Bellmans, Newpound, Wisborough Green, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 0AZ. 01403 700858; bellmans.co.uk • 6th Furniture & Works of Art, Mallams, Dunmore Court, Wootton Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 6BH. 01235 462840; mallams.co.uk • 13th Modern British Art including Great Bardfield Artists, Sworders, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8GE. 01279 817778; sworder.co.uk • 13th–16th Contemporary Ceramics, Maak. 07903 049444; maaklondon.irostrum.com • 14th Asian Art, Woolley & Wallis, 51-61 Castle Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3SU. 01722 424500; woolleyandwallis.co.uk • 14th Lalique, Christie’s, 8 King Street, St James’s, London, SW1Y…

OLD Mid-century Venini chandelier, £995, Tryst d’Amour. 01273 251827; trystdamour.com NEW Small ‘Bone’ bowl, £80, Tom Dixon. 020 7400 0500; tomdixon.net NEW Ethically sourced framed Ulysses butterfly, £75, Mia Fleur 0116 298 6393; miafleur.com NEW ‘Rider’ étagère, £2,995, Jonathan Adler. 020 7589 9563; uk.jonathanadler.com OLD Late art deco sunburst mirror, £1,295, Debenham Antiques. 01728 860707; antiquefurniture.tv OLD 20th-century Japanese two-fold screen, £2,220, Guinevere. 020 7736 2917; guinevere.co.uk NEW ‘Viceroy’ wallpaper, £67 per roll, Matthew Williamson at Osborne & Little. 020 8812 3123; osborneandlittle.com OLD 1950s reupholstered Italian emerald green velvet sofa, £3,950, Ed Butcher at 1st Dibs. 1stdibs.com NEW Terrace bar cart, £399, West Elm. 0800 404 9780; westelm.co.uk NEW ‘Caspian’ coffee table, £1,450, Andrew Martin. 020 7225 5100; andrewmartin.co.uk…

NEW Tiers cake stand in ‘Paprika’, £36, The Barbican Shop.shop.barbican.org.uk OLD Edwardian mahogany folding cake stand, £225, Regent Antiques. 020 8809 9605; regentantiques.com NEW ‘Black Regal Peacock’ two-tier cake stand, £40, Burleigh. 01773 740740; burleigh.co.uk OLD 1920s silver plated cake stand, £350, Kingsdown Antiques at 1st Dibs. 01769 561202; 1stdibs.com NEW ‘Winter’s Scene’ footed cake stand, £41, Spode. 01782 743427; spode.co.uk NEW ‘Eve’ two-tier cake stand, £298, Jonathan Adler. 020 7589 9563; uk.jonathanadler.com NEW ‘Artesano Original’ footed cake plate, £52.90, Villeroy & Boch. 00800 6864 8110; villeroy-boch.co.uk NEW ‘Tank’ cake stand, £120, Tom Dixon. 020 7400 0500; tomdixon.net OLD Victorian silver cake stand, £2,950, AC Silver. 0191 240 2645; acsilver.co.uk NEW American jadeite glass cake stand, £42, RE. 01434 634567; re-foundobjects.com OLD 1970s cabbage leaf cake stand, £30, All You…

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What makes this such an inviting room The architectural fixtures and fittings of this guest bedroom at Mapperton House are enduring evidence of its 16th and 17th-century origins, while the furnishings embrace its evolution from the 1550s until now. Aesthetically, how does that work? I don’t think I could put it better than Lord David Cecil who, writing in 1955 in his publication Some Dorset Country Houses stated: ‘Throughout the house 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries meet each other at every turn. Yet – and this is notably characteristic of Mapperton – they do not quarrel. Diversity never means discord. Rather, the different ages combine to create an unexpected and richer harmony.’ 1 DECORATIVE STONE CHIMNEY BREAST The architectural style of this stone fireplace dates from the 16th century, and…

‘I’m very fond of old things,’ says John Repping, owner of quirky florist and antiques shop De Roze Engel in the south east of The Netherlands. ‘They’re a reflection of your personality and necessary for creating warmth and atmosphere in an interior. I don’t think you can do without them.’ And his philosophy is evident from the moment you step into the house that he shares with his partner, John van Horck. Wherever you look there are antiques: chandeliers hang from the ceilings, gilt-framed portraits look down from the walls and every ledge and shelf contains a display of antique taxidermy, flowers, curios and objets trouvés. It’s rather like walking into a 17th-century Dutch still life – everything is artfully arranged to look just so against the dark walls…

Lambert Jemley, managing director at Acker Merrall & Condit, an American wine shop and leading wine auction house, says investing in champagne is incredibly rewarding as vintages from the greatest producers and winemakers will live and drink well for a long time if stored properly. ‘The most famous champagnes from the greatest vintages can last decades and increase in value if stored under optimal conditions – ideally 10–12 degrees Celsius,’ he says. ‘But it’s important to be discriminating in what you buy if you are collecting and hope for increased values over the years.’ If you’re starting out, Jemley suggests buying and drinking the classic, great brands such as Dom Pérignon, Krug, Taittinger, Roederer, Bollinger, Salon and Pol Roger. Prices range from about £40 to £230 a bottle for vintage…

• National Air and Space Museum, Independence Ave at 6th Street, SW Washington, DC 20560, USA. +1 20 26 33 22 14; airandspace.si.edu Aficionados of the Apollo programme must visit the 23 galleries containing the collections of the Smithsonian Institution (which owns the majority of historic NASA artefacts). • National Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester, LE4 5NS. 0116 261 0261; spacecentre.co.uk The UK’s largest planetarium as well as unusual pieces of early measuring equipment and astronauts’ kit. • The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD. 020 7942 5000; nhm.ac.uk One of the largest meteorite collections in the world, started in 1802 and now including pieces from 2,000 individual meteorites. • Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD. 0333 241 4000; sciencemuseum.org.uk On display at the Science…

SEE THE OLD MASTERS The Uffizi is one of the oldest museums in the world and a must-visit for fans of the Renaissance (uffizi.it). Works by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Titian and Raphael are among the highlights. HEAD TO MARKET The permanent Monday-to-Friday antiques market formerly at Piazza dei Ciompi has now moved to Largo Annigoni. If you visit, don’t miss the nearby Sant’Ambrogio Market, a big favourite with locals. VENTURE SOUTH The historic district of Oltrarno is a hit with visitors for its mix of galleries and boutiques. The 12th-century Piazza Santo Spirito is a good starting point.…

1. ALFIES ANTIQUE MARKET Make Alfies a destination on your Christmas shopping list with its after-hours shopping event. As well as Christmas shopping, there will be live music and entertainment and complimentary festive treats from the Roof Top Kitchen team. With over 75 independent antiques and vintage dealers, find four floors brimming with unique and extra-special gifts, just waiting to be discovered. Contact Alfies Antique Market for your free invitation. › 13–25 Church Street, London, NW8 8DT alfiesantiques.com  // 020 7723 6066 2. THE BOULE-IN The Boule-in ‘Féte de Noël’ is a magical and delightfully original Christmas shopping experience. This destination event is a firm fixture in the East Anglian festive calendar: find our barn and garden filled with French Christmas collectables, gifts and striking decorative antiques to add style…