Inspiration from the past

This week I took time out to look at the Wallace Collection in central London. It’s a fabulous collection of paintings and other art works inside a wonderfully decorated house. I’ve never seen wallpaper like it – one room is entirely mauve self-stripes and another is a patterned emerald green and black. In display cases covered with protective leather flaps, there was a collection of portrait miniatures, several inches high. There were also stunning illuminated letters … oh, and the restaurant does a mean cream tea! But seriously, the paintings are wonderful, and include works by Reynolds and Vigee Le Brun.