Cathy's Art Diary

Delightful experience at Blenheim Palace celebrating Christmas. I went with friends and we started with the house where the theme was Sleeping Beauty. They told the story via Christmas trees and lavish decorations over the whole of the ground floor. It was nicely paced and had things to attract all ages. I loved some of the details. We then did the illuminated trail round the ground which was long but again well-paced with plenty to see. The halfway/turning point was down at the lake with a beautiful fountain display to music. Add in a Christmas market and it was a magical evening. Closed 1 January 2024  

Quirky decoration of National Trust property Polesden Lacey for Christmas. This year’s decorations, by contemporary artists NEON, take inspiration from the society hostess, Margaret Greville, who lived there. Using her jewellery collection, which is now part of the Royal Collection, they take elements of the jewels and create three installations within the house. The Trust then responded to these quirky displays with a more traditional approach in the next room. My favourite room, shown here, was the billiard room hung with diamond shaped frames which moved gently in a breeze casting different shadows around the room. I also liked the corridor to the servants quarters lined with white foliage and feather balls. Closed 6 January 2020

Delightful decoration of National Trust property Standen as a family Christmas of the 1930s. The property was filled with scenes the life of the family of the house, the Beales, from a room set up for present wrapping, a dining table at the end of a food fight and the simple decorations in the servants’ hall. I loved a bust with added pearls and nostalgic paper chains. Outside the Trust had commissioned designers, NEON to decorate a large tree which they did with gold wind chimes which tinkled gently and glimmered as the wind caught the branches. Closed 5 January 2020