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When in conversation with her architect, Sir Edward Lutyens, at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 1921, Princess Marie Louise formed the idea of commissioning the perfect doll’s house as a gift to Queen Mary. Known as one of the […]

The strengths of true designs often shine more during times of austerity: the limitations of materials allow the creative mind to offer alternatives that may never normally reach the market place. During WWII rationing of all kinds were in place […]

Gardens and landscapes have been depicted in art and wall murals since antiquity, but after the fall of the Roman Empire they became representations for religious and figural scenes. It was not until the 16th century that artists began to […]

After the death of Louis XIV in 1715, dress became simpler during the 18th century. The outline of gentlemen’s coats became tighter fitting above the waist and flared out over the hips whilst feminine dress always included the corset, trimmed […]

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, the BBC has produced a series of television and radio programmes that challenge well-held views on Napoleon, his strategies and the legacies left. One such legacy of this tumultuous and […]

by Cathy MacTaggart In 2013 I spent some time volunteering at the Warner Textile Archive, and found I met lots of people with a wide variety of skills. At the time I was working on the penultimate module of my […]

by Lesley Ellis Miller V&A Publishing, 2014 In 1972, Warner & Sons sold a selection of items from its business archive through Christie’s, and donated a special collection to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Selected by Nathalie Rothstein, among the […]

This week sees the first National Thinking of You Week. There’s no specific event or occasion in mind, the aim is simply to highlight the joy and emotional power of sending a beautiful, hand-written greeting card, while creating a wave […]