Every house has a story to tell. A history woven within its walls, by those who have visited or called it home. King Charles III, Nelson Mandela, and a renowned 19th century botanist and explorer are just three of the characters in the tale of Fortune House, Cranleigh.
Built by his grandson, this elegant, red-bricked, Victorian family home, was named after Robert Fortune. Commissioned by the Horticultural Society of London – and later by the East India Company to bring back samples of the tea plant – Fortune travelled deep into China, Japan, and Formosa

(Taiwan), and is credited with introducing numerous trees, shrubs, and flowers to the west. If, using botanical nomenclature, you
spot one that ends in “fortunei”, that’s one of his. The arboretum that sits next to the house has an abundance of Rhododendrons, no doubt including Rhododendron fortunei. The palms you see through the kitchen window also carry his name. Fortune would have transported these and other cuttings, seedlings, and plants back to London in Wardian cases, one of which sits proudly in the house today.

A Wardian case is of itself a thing of beauty: a piece of art that both delights and inspires thoughts of past times, people and distant places. Which is appropriate given that today Fortune House is not only the home of Laura Walford and her family but also the Belgravia Gallery, the family business she relocated here nearly seven years ago.

Ahead of the post Covid curve when it came to leaving London for the home counties and beyond, Laura sought space and light and calm for both her family and her art – and she found it here in Cranleigh. Their home is close to the disused Downs Link railway line, turned popular cycling and walking path that runs from Guildford to the seaside at Shoreham – a far cry from life in central London.

When they arrived in Cranleigh, some reconfiguration was required. A new garage and driveway, redecoration throughout, plus a new and extended kitchen, that became the heart of their family home. A space to cook, to eat, to socialise. A vast sky light and doors that open to the garden flood the room with light and both illuminate and frame the landscape, and Hascombe Hill beyond. Laura recruited MJL Construction from Shalford in Surrey for the build, SJ Epps Joinery for their bespoke kitchen, and Love Your Home for a good deal of their home furnishings – but most of the interior design she did herself.

For someone who champions emerging artists, and has a very modern outlook, the reconditioned AGA in their kitchen felt like a slightly surprising choice. That is of course until you stop to appreciate the visual and emotional beauty of an AGA. Comforting and reassuring – like the perfect cheese toasties it produces – it is an engineering masterpiece and, as Laura quite rightly points out, a work of art. Another thing that is comforting is the knowledge that oil prices haven’t risen as steeply as gas and electric, so they’re not as expensive to run as some may fear.

And then, like the rest of the house, there are works of art dotted around. Pieces of treasure that are a delight to discover. As you walk from room to room, you find yourself saying to yourself, and sometimes out loud, “Oh, I love this… and this,” and, “Who did this – tell me more about this artist.” And that’s one of the many joys about owning art – the story of its provenance. A story that becomes yours: how you found it, and why you love it.

Given her passion for art and her eye for the aesthetic, it’s no surprise that Laura also has a love of interiors and design. Something that’s very apparent when you’re welcomed into her beautiful home. The high windows bring lots of natural light into the rooms, whilst the Farrow & Ball colour palette provides the perfect backdrop to their ever-changing art collection.

A collection of more than 40 artists that they represent, including Charlie Mackesy, whose joyous illustrations from his best-selling book, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, will be familiar to many; Maria Filopoulou’s peaceful, serene swimmers; and Ian Thomson, a meticulous and masterful craftsman who works with the finest Italian Carrara marble, to create the most extraordinarily delicate yet wonderfully tactile pieces of sculpture.

When it comes to designing a room – where the sofa, sideboard or TV might go – Laura’s starting point, her north star, is first visualising where the art will go. What’s particularly important, and often overlooked, is the lighting, and in particular the use of wall lights, which can often get in the way. Laura’s preference is to do without wall lights entirely. Instead use directional spot or other ceiling lights. Leave the walls for pictures. Her other top tip is to consider reframing your existing art.

Traditional oils can find their place in a modern home, if their ornate, gilded frames are exchanged for something more contemporary. She works with some of the best framers in the business and will happily connect you. Giving a new lease of life to an old painting is incredibly satisfying too.

If you want to see up close how Laura does it, if there is some art you’re interested in buying, or perhaps you’d like her advice on how art can enhance your home, you can book an appointment to visit Fortune House or, better still, get invited to one of their exhibitions.

Most recently they hosted an art lunch to showcase the paintings of John Illsley, the Dire Straits bass player, and Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer.

His paintings of Stratocaster and Gibson guitars were particularly popular. If you’re a fan, head to their website and secure yourself a limited-edition print.

But it is a story of serendipity and chutzpah that links the Belgravia Gallery and Fortune House to their most famous artist: King Charles III. Laura’s mother Anna, who founded the Gallery, wrote to the then HRH The Prince of Wales to suggest that signed lithographs of his watercolours could be sold to raise money for his Charitable Foundation. Some months after her initial enquiry she received a letter from the Palace, concurring that this would indeed be a very good idea. Since then, they have together raised millions for his charitable causes. When you view it in this context, it is extraordinary the power and influence that art can have.

It was whilst exhibiting the Prince’s paintings in New York that they were introduced to the publishers of Nelson Mandela’s art. Laura and Anna travelled to Johannesburg to meet the great man and spent time with him whilst they discussed his art, and he signed his work. An exhibition on Robben Island followed shortly after and you can still buy Mandela’s art from the Belgravia Gallery today, including the famous Hand of Africa print. The charitable ethos of both King Charles and Nelson Mandela runs deeply throughout this family business too. The Sebastian Hunter Memorial Trust, established to honour the memory of Laura’s late brother, provides educational, healthcare and livelihood support in rural, southern India, with much of the funding coming from the art that they sell.

Art can make such a difference to a home, your mood, and your outlook on life. Waking up to an artwork or sculpture that you love and that makes you smile is the best way to start every day. The Antiques Roadshow has conditioned us to look at art and other antiques as if they might be winning lottery tickets. We cross our fingers and hope that we could have stumbled across or inherited a winner. But as Laura wisely advises, don’t begin by buying art as an investment, instead buy art that you love. Art that stirs joyful emotions within you. That’s where the real value lies.

It can also be transformative at work too. Where will you be more creative, more productive and feel more valued: a bland, characterless office or one where bright, colourful pieces of art give you a fresh perspective, inspire you to see further, and think deeper? Laura has a number of client businesses that lean into her expertise in this area, and who rent art for their offices. If we are to entice people to return to work in offices, then creating an environment that is socially, intellectually, and visually stimulating will be key and art will, without doubt, play an important part.

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As well as giving guidance for individual collectors, corporate clients, and interior designers, Laura and Anna offer site visits to view artwork in situ, in your home or office. With a wealth of knowledge, they advise on everything from expert sourcing of art and current market trends through to installation, framing services, rental, insurance valuations, shipping and restoration.

Contact Belgravia Gallery for more information. belgraviagallery.com 020 7495 1010 Sebastian Hunter Memorial Trust
sebsschool.org Love Your Home love-your-home.co.uk MJL Construction mjlconstruction.co.uk
S J Epps Joinery sjeppsjoinery.co.uk