March Updates
An introduction, vintage news & recommendations
Hello & welcome! There’s been a surge of new subscribers recently, so I thought I’d do a quick introduction (before the April newsletter drops in a couple of weeks), along with March updates and recommendations. Thank you to all my regular followers and new subscribers of Love Vintage Etc., your comments and continued support means a lot to me and it’s great to see you here.
I’m writing this on the warmest day of 2026 so far here in the UK. We’re over half way through March, yet even the smallest drop of sunshine feels encouraging after those endless cold, grey February days. And it’s the Spring (Vernal) Equinox on March 20th in the northern hemisphere. So, pop the kettle on, open the windows, sit in your favourite sunny spot and read on…
A quick introduction. Frequently asked questions…
What is your background and how did you start in antiques and vintage?
After art school, I worked as an exhibition designer at the National Gallery in London. Then a master’s at Central St. Martins in screen-based design, followed by almost fifteen years in corporate publishing and media. When my daughter was born, I decided to go freelance and designed homewares for companies such as Heals, John Lewis, TFL and Liberty. I had a cosy, light-filled studio in Clerkenwell and loved the variety of designing for such great clients, but when a random opportunity to open my own shop landed in my email inbox, I took a gamble and told myself, ‘Give it a year, two years tops.’ Mason & Painter Vintage opened at the end of 2013 with a selection of decorative antiques and homewares, alongside my own designs. I didn’t have a business plan, and I knew nothing about antiques, but I stayed on the same street in East London and had the shop for ten wonderful years, until 2023.
Do you miss your shop?
People often ask if I miss having a physical shop. Honestly, I don’t. I really enjoyed it, but it was time to move on – to downscale the vintage business to online only so I could focus on photography and writing, and because I genuinely needed a break. I still visit my friends on Columbia Road, at the Sunday flower market, but it’s great to have my weekends back!
Do you use a camera when you take photographs?
A few people have recently asked if I use a camera or my phone. For stills photography I always use a camera. I use my reliable Fujifilm X-E1 for stock shots, interiors, and travel photography. It has a video setting but, for speed and ease of use, I use my iPhone for reels and videos. I edit in Lightroom or Photoshop but I don’t use filters unless I’ve created them myself. For my website, it’s more important to show antiques and vintage items in their true light.
What else do you do when you’re not writing, taking photographs or buying vintage stock?
I write books. I’m under contact with a traditional publisher and have written four non-fiction books for them. My latest book Independent Shops London was published last week and features over fifty of the best small shops and independent markets around the capital. From bookshops to bakeries, vintage fashion, toyshops, hand-designed jewellery, stationers, haberdashers, paint shops, florists, cheesemongers and delis - each one-of-a-kind shop tells its own story. I’m currently working on another exciting project, which I hope to share sometime soon. Oh, and I’m a runner in my spare time. I used to enjoy half marathons but now it’s a nicely paced 5k in the mornings – it sets me up for the day.
Independent Shops London is now available to order from your favourite bookshop or online from independent retailer bookshop.org
Vintage News
This vibrant still-life oil painting, Pomegranates, Pears & Oranges, features a still-life vignette set against a striped cloth background with a large water pitcher and green plate. The oil on canvas is vintage French and measures 61cm x 46cm. Signed J. Mathieu, 1977. A wonderful painting to add drama to any room. Available online at Mason & Painter.
Spring Pop-up Shop
Just one week to go until I pop-up in the beautiful surroundings of an original Victorian dairy – At The Dairy – run by my friend Daisy. We’d love you to call in for a chat and see the fresh vintage collection, decorative antiques and Daisy’s spring curation of womenswear. Friday 27th, Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th March. 42 Amwell Street, London EC1R. 11am - 6pm. Sunday 12 - 5pm.
What’s On…
One of the best things I’ve watched on TV recently was LS Lowry: The Unheard Tapes, revealed through intimate taped interviews of the artist – “the matchstick man painter". The hidden, previously unheard tapes were recorded in Lowry’s Manchester home by a young fan, Angela Barratt in 1972, towards the end of his life. The tapes uncover much about the artist and the changing face of Britain. But what makes this film particularly remarkable are the two actors who lip-sync the real voices of Lowry and Angela, from the original tapes, and performed by Ian McKellen and Annabel Smith. A beautiful portrayal of an artist and fan and their unlikely friendship. Available to watch here on BBC iPlayer.
Exhibitions
Lucien Freud: Drawing into Painting at National Portrait Gallery. London. Until 4 May 2026
Gwen John: Strange Beauties at Museum Wales, Cardiff. Until 28 June 2026
Rose Wylie at the Royal Academy, London. Until 30 May 2026
Interiors inspiration
Brighten up your table with these toadstool linens – a collaboration between Summerhill & Bishop and John Derian. Napkins and tablecloths are printed with illustrations from Derian’s extensive archive of 18th and 19th century designs. The toadstool plates are from a selection by French brand Astier de Villatte x John Derian. The yellow ceramic shell is perfect for soap but olives would but look equally good, available from Lamp London. If you enjoy simple, straightforward recipes with fresh ingredients, Alexandra Dudley’s new book, Cooking Made Simple, offers a foolproof collection of dishes you’ll want to revisit time and again. You can find Alexandra’s Substack here.
This pretty Wild Flower Meadow jug is by Nicholas Mosse, available from Liberty. And the cheery clementine plate, by Harlie Brown Studio, is perfect for weekend croissants, available from Lamp London.
Bookshelves to fall in love with
The bookshelves and bookcases in this museum-worthy home, located near Rome, belong to Veronica Nobile Mino and are featured in the March issue of World of Interiors. Photographed by Paola Pansini, read the full article here.
Thank you for reading, it’s always great to see you here and your support means a great deal. If you’ve enjoyed this post please ‘like’ it by clicking on the little ♡ symbol or leave a comment. Until next time, lots of love,
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A lovely round up. I really enjoyed the Lowry documentary too. Absolutely fascinating.