Renowned for her refined eye and classically rooted yet contemporary style, interior designer and antiques specialist Birdie Fortescue shares the five cherished objects that tell the story of her life – from a driftwood horse sculpture that stole her heart decades ago to a whimsical sea horse handmade by her daughter. These are the pieces that bring soul and sentiment to her elegantly layered home.



An etching by Camille Pissarro – it’s very small and completely charming. It was given to me by my father for my twelfth birthday and looks so pretty sitting on an easel in our drawing room

Etching By Camille Pissarro


A small late 18th-century walnut commode. It was one of the first pieces I bought when I started my antiques business. It has charming proportions, and I managed to sneak it home before it could be bought!

18th Century Walnut Commode


My daughter Lydia made a ceramic sea horse aged seven in her pottery class at school. It is very comical and completely lovely, particularly mixed in amongst other treasured pieces in our sitting room.

Ceramic Sea Horse


A beautiful sculpture of a horse by Heather Jansch. Made from driftwood it was a huge extravagance when I bought it nearly 30 years ago. I was having lunch with my uncle and aunt who had a piece of her work. I immediately enquired and was lucky enough to buy one. The work is so fine and delicate but has such movement. I enjoy looking at it every day.

Sculpture Of A Horse By Heather Jansch


A landscape painted by my husband of the Pyrenees during a family holiday in 2022. It has special charm and holds special memories. He started painting more regularly in lockdown and this has become a passion he really enjoys.

Landscape Painted By My Husband