Birdie Fortescue is a British interior designer and founder of her eponymous homeware brand, celebrated for creating calm, cohesive interiors that blend antiques with contemporary design. Birdie was born Lady Sarah Fortescue. As the daughter of the 7th Earl Fortescue, she had a traditional upbringing in the idyllic Cotswolds. Surrounded by nature she developed an appreciation of form and pattern, while growing up in an historic home filled with antiques allowed Birdie’s natural talent for design to flourish. As the daughter of an Earl, she holds the traditional British courtesy title of ‘Lady’ though she has always been known as ‘Birdie’, an affectionate childhood nickname inspired by her boundless energy.
Classically trained in England, Birdie began her career as an interior designer at the renowned British firm Colefax & Fowler, working on projects across the UK and the United States. From there, her interest in antique furniture grew, leading her to establish an antiques business specialising in 19th-century continental pieces. In 2014, Birdie opened her first store in a Victorian warehouse in Norfolk, England - a beautifully considered space where antiques sat alongside art and thoughtfully designed homewares, reflecting her belief that interiors should feel layered over time, not perfectly matched.
In 2016, Birdie launched her first collection of block-printed soft furnishings. Designed in Britain and created in small batches, the collection marked the beginning of a wider handmade homeware offering. Today, the brand encompasses table linens, cushions, rugs, lighting, decorative accessories, and furniture - each piece is carefully created with longevity and versatility in mind. Birdie works with artisans and craftspeople across the globe who specialise in traditional skills and making methods. The made-to-order furniture range is handcrafted at a small workshop in Norfolk, while many of the textiles are block-printed by hand, ensuring no two pieces are ever the same.
Birdie’s unique designs are entirely her own, shaped by details observed during her travels through Europe, Asia, and Africa - from architectural motifs to timeworn finishes and unexpected colour combinations. These influences are reinterpreted through a distinctly English lens, resulting in timeless collections that bring a sense of relaxed English country charm to traditional and contemporary interiors alike. Produced in limited runs, every Birdie Fortescue piece has individual character and a quiet sense of craftsmanship. Whether styled alone or layered together, each collection encourages a lived-in, harmonious aesthetic that feels effortlessly elegant.
Birdie continues to work on residential and commercial interior design projects in the UK and internationally, with antique sourcing remaining a signature part of her practice.
Welcoming Vasanti
Birdie Fortescue introduces The Vasanti Collection for SS26, a celebration of awakening, abundance and joy. The new collection of furniture, lighting, rugs and decorative accessories captures spring’s irresistible spirit through a vibrant symphony of lively colour, intricate pattern and geometric form. Drawing inspiration from the Sanskrit meaning of springtime, Vasanti brings together vivid patterns, rich textures, and versatile pieces designed for indoor and outdoor living.
From hand-embroidered cushions, woven leather dining chairs, and textured lighting, to crackle-glazed and marble tables, boldly patterned rugs, and abstract candle holders, each piece is crafted to complement the next. The collection encourages a curated, collected feel where no two combinations are the same, yet all sit together beautifully. Each product is thoughtfully designed by Birdie and handmade by artisans, ensuring authentic and timeless interiors.
Each piece reflects Birdie’s signature style - harmonious, luxurious, and refreshingly unique. We hope you enjoy exploring this stunning new collection.
