A House Steeped in History

Elveden Hall, nestled on the Norfolk–Suffolk border, is a country estate layered with history. In the 19th century, the original Georgian house came into the possession of Maharajah Duleep Singh, the last Maharajah of the Sikh Empire, who had been exiled to England in 1849. He purchased the estate in 1863, transforming the country house in Italian style, with interiors inspired by the grandeur of Indian Mughal palaces. Elveden became known for its lavish shooting parties, attended by aristocracy including Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, and Queen Victoria.

Later acquired by the Guinness family, the estate came under the stewardship of Edward Cecil Guinness, 1st Earl of Iveagh, who oversaw its 7,000 acres with a strong focus on agriculture and field sports, using diverse crops to support both profitability and game. In 1927, his son Rupert, the 2nd Earl of Iveagh, modernised operations by introducing dairying and mechanised systems, steadily improving livestock quality and productivity, while further diversifying into arable farming, sugar beet, and eventually a Christmas tree enterprise supplying prominent national sites!

Elveden Hall itself is a striking example of Jacobean and neo-Elizabethan architecture, with one wing preserving Indian and Italian-inspired interiors and the other showcasing late Victorian grandeur - ornate brickwork, tall chimneys, and intricately detailed interiors. Its unique blend of history, craftsmanship, and proportion makes it a perfect canvas for our SS26 Vasanti Collection.

A Week in the Life of a Shoot

Our shoots unfold over a full working week, each day with its own rhythm.

Monday – Unpacking & Set-Up
The week begins with unpacking and arranging every piece of stock so the team can see the full collection at a glance. By the end of the day, the ‘stock room’ looks like a beautifully curated jumble sale - rugs, cushions, lighting, furniture, and props gathered in one room.

Midweek – Shooting Days
By midweek, the shoot is in full swing. Pre-planned shots are carefully set up, with the team moving seamlessly between styling, shooting, and resetting. Birdie is at the heart of it all - adding finishing touches, adjusting pieces, and collaborating with our photographers to ensure every shot is perfect.

For this shoot we were blessed with the perfect end of summer / early autumn weather: soft, peppered sunlight streaming through grand windows casting a warm glow over every scene, with only the occasional light drizzle to add a touch of atmosphere. The autumnal light created a rich, layered backdrop that beautifully complemented the spring-inspired palette of Vasanti, giving the collection a sense of warmth and depth.

Friday – Pack Down
The week ends with a swift and efficient pack-down. Our warehouse team ensures every piece is safely wrapped, labelled, and stored, ready for the next shoot.

The Details That Make It

A shoot is about more than just the  products - it’s about carefully curated sets and the small touches that bring scenes to life.

The prop table is always a highlight: Birdie’s own ceramics, books from home, interiors magazines, newspapers, and carefully chosen food and drink. Decorative biscuits and crackers make frequent appearances for styling - though somehow, the most tempting chocolate biscuits always disappear! Flowers abound, with hydrangeas, roses, ammi, snapdragons, and delphiniums adding softness and colour to each setting.

For SS26, we layered in glassware from Oka and colourful ceramics from Casa Latina - such beautiful pieces! 

Introducing the Vasanti Collection

Vasanti is all about celebrating the joys of spring and the sense of possibility it brings. Birdie describes it as capturing “that feeling of stepping into spring – when everything feels possible again. This collection is designed to bring joy into everyday moments, whether you’re setting a table or creating a space to gather with friends and family.”

Rugs: Our SS26 rug selection plays with colour, pattern, and texture. The Padma Floral Rug combines soft pink and green motifs in jute and wool, while the Nirakar Abstract Rug offers a contemporary look in blues and greens. Softer options include the Lok Geometric Rug which is a  woollen flatweave while bolder choices, like the Ganna Flat Weave Rug in green or blue canework, and the Shatranj Flat Weave Rug in checkerboard, add confident style and anchor a room beautifully.

Cushions & Accessories: The collection’s cushions bring updated colour and lively pattern. Our water-resistant Lotus, Patti, and Ogee Outdoor Cushions, offer a cohesive choice while our indoor block-printed and embroidered collection including Ogee, Patti, Registan, Khiva, and Rassi provide a wider and more diverse selection. Decorative accessories celebrate craft and character: framed Phoda papier-mâché artworks, the circular inlaid Athangudi Wooden Tray, hand-painted Toofan Glass Vases, glazed Verg ceramic cube candle holders, and the woollen Dopatti Throw. Tableware, including Ogee, Ghas, and Athangudi placemats and napkins, allows styling with ease across dining and interior scenes.

Capturing the Magic

Three photographers- Boz Gagovski, Ellie Whitbread, and our in-house photographer Cherise Bailey - captured the shoot every angle. From polished hero images to relaxed set-ups, the photographs reflect the energy, colour, and joy of the week.

At the end of each day, reviewing the images is always exciting, but even more so in a venue as mesmerising as Elveden Hall. The combination of early autumn sunlight and the Hall’s grand interiors gave each image a depth and elegance that perfectly highlighted the spring-inspired palette of Vasanti.

A Quiet Moment of Reflection

As the week drew to a close, there was a shared sense of gratitude - for the team, collaborators, and the remarkable backdrop of Elveden Hall. Vasanti now has a home within these walls, capturing the spirit of spring, the joy of everyday moments, and the considered creativity behind every Birdie Fortescue collection.