Two exhibitions for the price of one!

I entered the Very Sanderson exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum thinking it was to be a story about the evolution of wallpaper design, colours and fashions in taste. I wasn't disappointed but what I hadn't expected was to be equally fascinated by the history of the company!

Arthur Sanderson and later his three sons were clever businessmen with vision, daring and acumen. In the early 20th century the company bought up others, imported new materials, explored new manufacturing techniques, expanded the product range to include paints and fabric, had inventive marketing techniques, provided impeccable costumer service, encouraged young designers and much more. By the end of that century and the beginning of this, the company was itself bought and sold a number of times but maintained its ability to appeal, to adapt and to progress throughout.

So, two exhibitions for the price of one!

Bluebells

Now is the time to visit Emmetts Garden to see the beautiful bluebell woods.



Not so good for tulips though!



.

Chartwell

I could quite happily live in Chartwell, the country home of Sir Winston Churchill. It is one of my favourite National Trust properties.

(image from National Trust website)

It's far more cosy inside than it looks from the outside, with a quirky layout.

The views over the Weald of Kent are magnificent, even on a hazy April day.

Another of my top National Trust properties is The Workhouse in Southwell but one I definitely would not want the misfortune to live in.

Grace

After returning from the Grace Kelly Style Icon exhibition at the V&A, I chucked out most of my clothes and I am now on the hunt for my own new style!



If I am to follow Grace's example, I will need to keep the colour palette subtle, shapes and decoration simple and necklines modest. My hairstyles will need to be embellished with hairpieces. Maybe even a hat or two and definitely that handbag. Fashion will be followed subtly and appropriately as the years go by.



Am I up to the challenge?..........!

(photos 2 and 3 from here)

V&A Quilts

The quilts exhibition at the V&A was very inspiring. So much so that during the train journey home,

the old Eurostar platform roof at Waterloo.....

council flats beside the tracks....

the train seats ......

the railway lines.....

the station ticket hall ceiling .....

everything around seemed a potential patchwork pattern!