Days Out in London - House and Garden and Antiques

The theme that ran through this year's House and Garden festival at Olympia in Kensington for me was plastic replacement and recycling. I discovered a paint that is plastic free, food wraps to replace cling film and embossed stationery made from recycled coffee cups. It was all very encouraging and as Emma at the plastic-free paint company said, "Thank God for David Attenborough". I heart that sentiment.

My other highlights included meeting the artist of some incredible paintings that reminded me of Vermeer and Canaletto, chatting to David Isaac about eighteenth-century prints and a wonderful water colour of an Edwardian lady by a female artist.

Here's my rundown of stands to check out this weekend.

Decorated Space 1, Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

No plastic, what a great product and they've got 72 shades. They're considering stocking it in Brighton and I totally second that plan.

Stand H52 Juliet Travers

A little off point for a moment (I loved the red dress the lady in the photo was wearing) also the wildlife illustrations for wallpapers and fabrics are pretty delightful too.

Stand P52 Julie Bell

Stationery, they design and manufacture hand engraved, die stamped stationery with some of the paper made from recycled coffee cups.

Stand P69 Cardology

Had an impressive collection of colourful and varied pop-up cards for every occasion.

Stand N47 Tiipii

I need one of these in my life #justsaying

Stand M17 Orchid Furniture

I fell in love with this bowl. Fabulous handmade porcelain bowl at £165.

Paul de Grande

Extraordinary antiques in the most extraordinary 17th century cabinet from Tuscany.

Stand E2 Sarah Colegrave Fine Art

This is such a wonderful picture of an Edwardian Lady painted by a female artist with a fabulous name, Gertrude Demain Hammond. The watercolour is signed and dated 1907. The sitter of The Spotted Veil is seated sideways in a delicate violet outfit, looking extremely elegant in her layers of fabric and her on trend miniature waist.

Stand E13 Paris Art Web

Brilliant large-scale wall art, plus indoor and outdoor sculptures. Who doesn't want one of these?

Stand E17 Isaac and Ede London

It was a real treat chatting to the very approachable David Isaac about the merits of antiquarian prints. As a consequence, I discovered the name of a caricaturist, contemporary to Gillray, who I had never heard of before, Henry Bunbury. Glad of the introduction.

Stand F18 The Hunt Gallery

An absolute highlight of mine was to spend a few moments talking to the artist Michael John Hunt and his wife. His paintings are incredible to look at up close because they look so much like photographs, but better. The artist stages interior scenes with great sensitivity to where light falls and the placement of objects in the composition. Set off by their dark picture-frames the images dazzle in contrast and reminded me of paintings by Vermeer and Canaletto.

Stand 276 The Beeswax Co

Brand new to me was the concept of reusable beeswax food wraps and what a great alternative to plastic cling film they are. I was in straight away and bought three for £20 and have already been sharing a video of them on Twitter and Insta. The business had come over, all the way from Oz where they are based in the brilliantly named Mullumbimby.

The House and Garden Festival at London Olympia this year encompasses four key seasonal events – The Art and Antiques Fair Olympia, GROW London, House and The Spirit of Summer. Inside the exhibition you'll find an eclectic collection of products ranging from art and antiques to interiors, beauty, food, clothes and lifestyle. Throughout the event there will be free talks and workshops from leading antiques, interior, garden and lifestyle experts. Look out for the Hummingbird Bakery workshop and Champagne tasting this weekend.

Enjoy exploring

Sarah xx