Innehållsförteckning för February 2026 från Homes & Antiques

Tell us what inspires you in this issue of H&A. Tag @homes_antiques on Instagram or use the email address, right Collecting is often seen as a private passion; a way of surrounding ourselves with beauty and memory. Yet behind every extraordinary collection is a story of vision and persistence. This year, our collecting special takes a different lens: on page 27, Ellie Tennant uncovers the remarkable women collectors whose dedication has too often been written out of history. From Margaret Greville's impressive assembly of art at Polesden Lacey to Alice de Rothschild's trove of 400 smoking pipes, discover the hidden stories of these overlooked pioneers – women who curated with flair, knowledge and vigour. At last, their contributions are getting the recognition they deserve. Our four homeowners this issue are…

French fancies Channelling the effortless elegance of Provençal style, the Aix Collection from David Hunt Lighting elevates a classic silhouette with a new range of shades in cheery gingham or lustrous satin. Choose from soft pastels and rich tones, or mix and match for an eclectic look – here, ‘Peony Check’ lends a chic French bistro feel. Wall light, £144; 10-arm pendant, £1,254; shades, from £54 each. davidhuntlighting.co.uk Untamed beauty Bring the charm and character of Britain's endangered wildlife into your home with the latest additions to Marlborough Tiles’ Wilding collection – puffin, stag, red squirrel and badger – each hand-painted in the Delft style. Lead artist Kirsty says: ‘Each creature has its own personality. I wanted brushstrokes that feel alive; classic yet playful.’ We say: mission accomplished. From £34.66…

On a recent research trip to Washington DC, National Trust curator Alice Strickland visited the National Museum of Women in the Arts. As soon as she walked in, a beautiful self-portrait caught her eye. ‘It was painted by 17th-century artist Judith Leyster – an early self-portrait, c1630, which I'd only ever seen before in books,’ she recalls. ‘I knew from my research that it was bought by prolific American collector Mildred Barnes Bliss (1879-1969) but the label underneath the painting, interestingly – bearing in mind this is in the National Museum of Women in the Arts – just said: Gift of Mr and Mrs Robert Bliss.’ This tiny and seemingly insignificant labelling detail encapsulates neatly the enormity of the extent that women collectors have been – and still are –…

Have you ever stood in an art gallery, and wondered: what if I step over the rope, grab a painting, and shove it in my rucksack when the bored guard isn't looking? It's a fantasy likely to end in handcuffs, and a long stretch inside. Galleries are now as heavily fortified as bank vaults. Or they mostly are. As the jewel thieves in the recent Louvre heist worked out, there are still security gaps. The balcony the savvy robbers used to break into the Louvre wasn't covered by any cameras. Across the decades, high-value art and antiques have seemed irresistible to thieves. The world's most famous – or should that be infamous – heists reveal a spectrum of tactics, from the ingenious to the sloppy to the downright shambolic. Some…

The first thing you notice when you step into the Scottish home of Marie McDonald and her partner, Paul Kennedy, is the sheer abundance of personality. Every wall is covered, head-to-toe, with collections – from paintings and prints, to embroidered silks and intricate Chinese cork dioramas – while every shelf and sideboard holds vintage glass, ceramics and lamps. This is not a collection built from a checklist, but one formed by instinct, a love of craftsmanship, and decades of seeking out antiques and 20th-century design. Unsurprisingly, Marie has been collecting for as long as she can remember. Her earliest memory is not of a treasured toy or day trip, but of being given a set of glass birds by an aunt on her 7th birthday. ‘I found them so delicate…

Humans have been making pots by hand for millennia, says George Clarke, studio pottery specialist at auction house Roseberys London. ‘There's something irresistibly tactile about studio pottery. Look carefully, and you can see the way the clay has been turned on the wheel, feel the lines made by the potter's thumbs. They're traces that remind you it was shaped by a person, not a machine.’ It can be difficult to capture the beauty of studio pottery in a photograph, George goes on to say. ‘Sometimes it's the tiny impurities in a glaze which make something special. Or when you walk around it, the way it catches the light. Some pieces just have a presence.’ As George's colleague Nigel Dawson-Ellis, head of design at Roseberys, puts it: ‘It's work that is…

Like spats, celluloid collars and garter belts, buttonhooks were once everyday items, but are now virtually extinct. In 2026, comfort reigns supreme; it's perfectly normal to slip into cosy joggers and comfy trainers for a trip to the shops, while some even head out in their pyjamas. Not so long ago, however, leaving the house smartly dressed was a mark of respectability. And in the days before zips, stretchy elastic and Velcro, dressing could be an awkward, time-consuming affair, explains Sue Brandon in her history of the buttonhook. Nowadays, we tend to think of corsets as the most tiresome historic fashion item, but fastening rows of tiny buttons brought their own challenges, she emphasises. The buttonhook – a small tool with a looped end, which was slipped through a buttonhole…

Q1 How can I achieve a ‘designer’ look, without an interior designer? Start by looking at your room through fresh eyes. Walk in with your eyes closed, then open them and ask: what feels out of place? This is the first thing to remove. Next, focus on the room's foundations: sofas, armchairs, shelving and sideboards. Are these pieces cohesive in style? They should complement each other rather than match exactly – a three-piece suite rarely feels designer. If budget allows, keep the sofa but consider replacing the armchair with something more sculptural. Investing in a few quality pieces pays off; these foundations should last. Curtains, cushions, accessories, and even wallpaper, can evolve as your taste changes, but the key, high-ticket items are long-term commitments. Curtains should always hang to the…

Pallant House Gallery For a comprehensive grounding in British art from 1900, Pallant House in Chichester is a must. Its collections span a multitude of movements, from neoclassicism to cubism, telling the story of Britain through the eyes of some of its most important artists, such as Keith Vaughan, Henry Moore, Graham Sutherland and Barbara Hepworth. Pallant's artworks can be explored independently or via a tour with one of the museum's expert guides, or by downloading the Bloomberg Connects app for a digital guide to the gallery. An inspiring roster of temporary exhibitions, workshops, talks and other events completes the cultural experience. pallant.org.uk Kilmorack Gallery Tony Davidson opened Kilmorack Gallery in a converted 18th-century church in rural Inverness-shire back in 1997, and it has evolved into one of Scotland's most…

Check ahead Please contact event organisers to check for postponements & last-minute cancellations FAIRS AROUND THE UK Northern Ireland 7th Ballyhackamore Art, Antiques and Collectables Fair, St Colmcille's Church, 191a Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB. waringfield.com North & Scotland 31st January-1st February Saltaire Vintage Home & Fashion Fair, Victoria Hall, Saltaire, West Yorkshire, BD18 3JS. roseandbrownvintage.co.uk 6th-8th The Pavilions of Harrogate Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair, The Pavilions of Harrogate, Railway Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8NZ. cooperevents.com 8th The Big York Vintage Flea Market, York Railway Institute, 24 Queen Street, York, YO24 1AD. judysvintagefair.com 8th Vintage Flea Market, EXO Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, nr Lincoln, LN2 2NA. asfairs.com; @asfairs 20th-22nd The Cheshire Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair, The County Grandstand, Chester Racecourse, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2LY. cooperevents.com 28th Saltburn…

1 ARABELLA HENRY CURIO CORNER Arabella Henry, who runs an antiques showroom in Barton, near Hull, has recently opened her Curio Corner store down the road in the centre of town, selling antique curiosities and oddities. Think religious objects, medical ephemera, antique dolls, old advertising, Victorian photographs and more. arabellahenry.co.uk; @arabellahenryuk 2 JOSEPH BERRY INTERIORS In the Curiosity Cabinet section of Joseph Berry's online store, you'll find early-20th-century glass eyes, a rare set of antique mineral specimen jars, a French 1950s doll mould and other curios. As well as cabinet-worthy pieces, Joseph sells exceptional mid-century furniture and lighting, plus decorative antiques. Viewings can be arranged at his Hampton Court gallery by appointment. josephberryinteriors.co.uk; @josephberryinteriors 3 PRAISE THE HOARD Luke Shropshire gathers together an intriguing mix of pieces that look like they're straight out…

THE PORTRAITS People Watching 31st January – 10th May, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery Dorset Museum & Art Gallery joins forces with The Ingram Collection for this exhibition exploring the concept of image and portraiture. Featuring pieces by the likes of Bridget Riley, Dod Procter, Winifred Nicholson and Elisabeth Frink, this large-scale exhibition delves into varied themes, including how artists have continued to develop portraiture into the 20th and 21st centuries, and how the very concept of a portrait itself has changed. dorsetmuseum.org THE SCENT Nosegay United by the belief that scent is as vital to a space as its design, mother-and-daughter team Joanna Wood and Hattie Hansard set out to craft fragrances that shape mood and stir memory. The result is the Nosegay collection of candles (£52) and room…

Fabric Wallpaper To channel a 70s-inspired aesthetic without slipping into pastiche, mix original pieces of vintage furniture with wallcoverings and fabrics in the decade's signature palette. Play with pattern – bold geometrics, soft swirls and rhythmic repeats instantly evoke the era – then tie the scheme together with dark brown accessories that add depth, elegance and a feel-good glow…

Muddy knees and hands were a daily part of growing up for Kate Sampson. Her family live in rural Kent, where orchards, woods and ponds fostered an enduring interest in nature. Describing herself as ‘almost feral’ and her home as a ‘wilderness playground’, as a child, Kate nurtured a small patch of the garden to grow wildflowers and weeds. Poppies, daisies and cornflowers flourished and a lifelong appreciation of the natural world was planted. Her ceramics are immediately striking, but look closer and you'll see a personal interpretation of beauty, which adds further depth to the work. ‘I often feature weeds and wildflowers in my designs. I enjoy celebrating the often neglected areas of nature that are so integral to our ecosystems, such as insects, hedgerows and weeds,’ Kate explains.…

It is almost inconceivable that Lloyd Hodgkinson's home once contained just a few items of furniture. Now an exuberant cornucopia of original art and striking antiques, and a wellspring of pattern and colour, the 1930s home looked very different nine years ago when Lloyd and his husband David first bought the property, in Brisbane, Australia. Yet it is these humble beginnings that have shaped Lloyd's approach to the design of his home. ‘When we first moved in, the only furniture we owned was two uncomfortable suede sofas, a bed, bookcase and a $30 plastic dining table,’ says Lloyd. ‘We were both in our early thirties and had previously lived in a tiny rented apartment with not much room for furniture. It was a period of growth and learning for us,…

1. Portrait of a Princess Estimate £20,000-£30,000 | Sold £69,000 A portrait of Princess Caroline, consort of George, Prince of Wales (later King George IV), and their daughter, Princess Charlotte Augusta, sprinkled some stardust over Dreweatts when it came up for sale. The Regency painting, mounted in a gilded frame, was by Maria Cosway, wife of fellow artist Richard Cosway, who was appointed Principal Painter to the Prince in 1785. The Cosways were a power couple, holding salons and concerts at their home, Schomberg House on Pall Mall, for royalty and society figures. The painting was completed around 1800, but a year later the princesses’ heads and faces were retouched by Sir Thomas Lawrence, the leading portraitist of the day, and a close associate of the royals. Princess Caroline was…

Need an answer? Send your questions to: homesandantiques@ourmedia.co.uk Q3 Is it worth trying to restore antique furniture myself, or would you advise hiring a professional? A professional antiques restorer is invaluable. Wherever possible, and if the budget allows, I would always hand over any furniture restoration to the care of a competent professional with a track record – especially if you are lucky enough to own something of a relatively high value. Resist the temptation to repolish that Gillows table, fix that wobbly leg on a good 18th-century Windsor, or regild a 17th-century picture frame… these things are best left to an expert. Although I regularly polish my antique furniture with tinted beeswax, I'm very aware that over-polishing can sometimes strip the patination, and patina needs to be preserved at…

Choosing a hotel break can be overwhelming these days. Even more so when it comes to the perfect hideaway for couples. For starters, do you opt for elegant city or charming countryside? A seriously swish stay or something a little more homely? Do not fret, as we've done all the research for you. Read on for five of our favourite hotels in Europe, which promise intimacy, warmth, drama, indulgence, intrigue and – of course – romance. 1 Maison Proust Paris, France The romance of the Belle Époque – a period of European prosperity, innovation and joie de vivre prior to the outbreak of the First World War – is celebrated in every inch of this opulent six-storey hotel in the heart of Paris’ Le Marais district. Named after French novelist of…

BUY NOW 19th-century jewellery Jewellery of this era is having a real moment. Georgian and early-Victorian pieces specifically – often set with old-cut diamonds that are wonderfully irregular and full of character – are rich in both charm and history. Each piece was handmade, usually as a one-off design, so no two items of jewellery are ever quite the same. Look out for natural pearls, too; they're no longer commercially fished, meaning what's available on the market now is finite and will never be replenished. Prices for antique jewellery, and brooches in particular, remain surprisingly reasonable given the craftsmanship and age, making this a brilliant time to buy before the market catches on. While brooches may not be favoured by the masses today, they're once again finding popularity. Focus on…

Italian collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo has long shaped the contemporary art scene in Italy and beyond, yet one of her lesser-known passions lies in costume jewellery. This exquisitely crafted volume takes readers on a captivating journey through that world, showcasing nearly 600 remarkable pieces from her 1,000-strong collection spanning the 1930s to the new millennium. Far from simple ornament, these creations chart a vibrant social history: jewels that were inventive, expressive and – crucially – accessible. Costume jewellery blossomed in the early 20th century, when émigré artisans revived their craft in New York, using faux gemstones and new materials such as Lucite and Bakelite. Worn by Hollywood icons and trendsetters alike, these ‘democratic jewels’ allowed women to explore identity and style in ways usually reserved for the elite, notes…

Jane Parminter (1750-1811) and Mary Parminter (1767-1849) Cousins Jane and Mary (above) defied convention, went on an unaccompanied decade-long Grand Tour of Europe, then designed and built a quirky, 16-sided Devon cottage inspired by their travels. ‘A la Ronde’ is now owned by the National Trust and filled with the cousins’ collections of sketches and watercolours, pine cones, moss, minerals, animal bones, a poor lone crab, and over 25,000 shells. Cara Leyland Rogers, later Lady Fairhaven (1867-1939) The sons of Anglo-American collector and philanthropist Cara Leyland Rogers lived at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire (now National Trust), and the impressive collections of art and antiques there are often credited to Lord Fairhaven, Cara's oldest son. But actually, Cara was an important collector in her own right, amassing all sorts of beautiful…

‘We represent a co-operative of over 300 practising potters, who are all members of the Craft Potters Association. Once a year, new members are selected through a competitive process - their work goes before a selection panel. Once in, they become members for life. There's no typical maker, just as there's no typical customer, so we show an incredibly diverse range of work, at a range of prices. The ways of selling have changed drastically over the years, with some young potters finding success on social media, but it's becoming more and more difficult for young people to set themselves up. Prices have been going up steadily for studio space, equipment, and the cost of firing a kiln. So to have the shop is incredibly important to the ceramics community,…

February is here and the sap is rising. In nature, small birds partner up in gardens, while tiny fox cubs snuggle deep in dens. On Valentine's Day, 14th February, people all around the world will receive red roses and exchange sentimental cards; couples will walk arm in arm and enjoy candlelit suppers. This annual feast of affection has its origins in the Roman spring festival of Lupercalia and the figure of a Christian saint, St Valentine. But as artist Tracey Emin puts it so succinctly in her epic neon text piece, suspended at St Pancras station: ‘I want my time with you’. Love is a universal theme. 1 Pure adoration Writing four centuries ago, the poet John Donne (1572-1631) used metaphors, similes and irony to make observations on love and life.…

Wellness retreats and ski holidays are all well and good but, for interiors lovers, is there anything more invigorating than staying somewhere bursting with original, beautiful and stylish design ideas? A place where every corner sparks mental notes for your interiors wishlist? Moorlands in Mullion, Cornwall – just a five-minute drive from Poldhu Cove – delivers that rare thing: immaculate, high-end style combined with next-level comfort. This is a place for lolling on a sumptuous Howard Keith chaise, gently lit by a layered lighting scheme, espresso (from the Sage Bambino machine) in hand. Its glamour is unsurprising given that the house is owned by interior designer Rose Hanson, whose penchant for statement vintage lighting, brass and gold embellishments and quirky patterns typifies the luxe – yet comforting – interiors she…