What better way to celebrate Spring than with a vibrant new collection of vintage paintings and ceramics and a visit to Marylebone village and the Wallace Collection. Welcome to the April newsletter and thank you for checking in.

A day trip to Marylebone

Soak up the charm of W1 on your next visit to London - its central location, sandwiched between jam packed Oxford Street and the traffic heavy A40, defies its quiet village character.

Enjoy a slow morning and take time to unwind in the numerous cafés on Chiltern Street and Marylebone High Street or clock up some serious window shopping in the boutiques and bookshops. Stop for lunch or afternoon tea in one of London’s most prestigious art galleries, The Wallace Collection and discover a wealth of decorative antiques and Baroque paintings.

Edwardian bookseller’s & one-of-a-kind boutiques

Much of the Marylebone’s appeal is its 19th century architecture and Daunt Books, previously occupied by an antiquarian bookshop, is housed in an impressive double height Edwardian building. The original glass ceilings and upper galleries still remain and with three floors of books to browse Daunt is a great place to start your day.

Open everyday from 9am, Sundays from 11am - just enough time to purchase a new novel or travel guide before stepping out in search of breakfast.

Walk along the high street, north of Daunt Books, and you’ll find Fabriano Boutique - the Italian paper specialists. For anyone who loves to write letters, keep a journal or draw on handmade paper this brand is a dream. Stock up on beautifully crafted papers made with FSC certified fibres such as cotton, linen and hemp. Choose from a large selection of diaries, notebooks, watercolour paper, writing sets, elegant stationery and leather goods.

Continue a little further to Fischer’s for a hearty breakfast menu in turn-of-the-century Viennese style interiors. I ordered coffee and took a moment to admire the decor before heading out just as the shops were about to open. Fischer’s is open from 7.30am weekdays for breakfast, tea and coffee.

No trip to Marylebone is complete without a pitstop at Bayley & Sage Deli - their dark chocolate millionaire shortbread is so delicious. They also specialise in cheese, wine, hand selected fresh produce and artisan bread so there’s always something to tempt you through the door, past baskets of seasonal flowers. Open Monday to Sunday 8am - 9.30pm.

The Wallace Collection

Away from the hustle and bustle, tucked between Baker Street and Marylebone village, The Wallace Collection houses one of the world's most celebrated collections of decorative art, antiques and paintings.

The grand late-Baroque building, constructed during the 18th & 19th centuries by the Marquesses of Hertford and art collector Sir Richard Wallace, is home to an impressive gallery of paintings. Just some of the notable artists on show include Canaletto, Rubens, Rembrandt, Turner, Reynolds and Gainsborough as well as displays by contemporary artists. The current exhibition features new work by UK artist Grayson Perry, until 26 October.

Head upstairs to the Great Gallery for Dutch master paintings including The Laughing Cavalier by Frans Hals and Rembrandt's painting of his son Titus. And take time to see Canaletto’s large scale views of Venice, Turner’s watercolours and the enigmatic Lady with a Fan by Spanish master Velázquez.

The opulent interiors: staircases, drawing rooms, studies and boudoirs are decorated in ornate silk damasks and coloured marble - a perfect backdrop for the collections of paintings and gold-gilt furniture.

On the ground floor discover medieval, 16th century and early Renaissance paintings, clocks, ceramics and Louis XIV furniture. And if you fancy dining in style the light-filled courtyard restaurant serves coffee, breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea surrounded by greenery and elegant Georgian architecture.

Open daily 10am-5pm. Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN. Free to visit.

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Old fashioned haberdashery & chocolate shops

If you’re passionate about textiles, sewing or crafting make a visit to VV Rouleaux a priority. The Marylebone Lane boutique is brimming with specialist ribbons, haberdashery, upholstery trimmings and millinery accessories. I buy their velvet ribbons for gift wrapping but this shop goes well beyond just ribbon and tassels.

The sweet aroma in Rococo is so tempting I never leave without at least one chocolatey purchase. Choose from a wide range including vegan, dairy free, organic, alcohol free or special treats for children - whatever you come away with all Rococo’s chocolates are made by hand, in small batches in their London kitchens. And the beautifully illustrated packaging is to die for.

Chiltern Street

Continue north, from Manchester Square and The Wallace Collection to Chiltern Street - home to a plethora of cafés and small independent shops. This little gem of a street is the perfect place to sit and people watch. The Monocle Café, The Chiltern Street Deli, The Airmail newsagent and coffee shop or How Matcha all have outdoor seating.

Pick up a pair of Japanese canvas sneakers at John Simons, a menswear shop established in 1955 or call into Dutch brand Anna + Nina for jewellery and ceramics with a summery mediterranean feel.

Fresh Vintage Finds

As a subscriber to Love Vintage Etc. you receive fresh stock updates before they appear online. This week’s new arrivals, below, include Blue Fence & Trees, dated 1963 - a midcentury oil painting with a lovely subtle palette and slight impasto texture, measuring 50cm x 40cm. £225. Available from the Mason & Painter website Tuesday, 1st April, from 1pm UK time.

The tranquil Boats on a River oil painting dates to the midcentury and measures 42cm x 33.5cm. Painted in cool summery colours - perfect for any seaside themed interior. £265.

The French ironstone patisserie stand features a blue and white Chinoiserie design with a bird and dragonfly in flight, surrounded by flowers and a delicate scalloped edge. Measures 26cm in diameter x 5cm tall and dates to the late 1800s. £70.

The Jar of Violas midcentury oil painting, below, is simply framed in a vintage wooden frame and measures 30.5cm x 24.5cm. The perfect little painting for any room. £85.

The gorgeous still-life painting Apples and Pears with Blue Jug dates to around 1930. Vintage French oil on canvas, signed B. Buchet and measures 46cm x 34cm. Shown below, £350.

Pop-up shop news

I’m excited to announce a brand new week-long, vintage pop-up shop and a return to Hackney with Tamara from Reclectic. We’re open from Monday, 29 April to 5 May with Prosecco & nibbles over the Bank Holiday weekend of the 3-4 May. We’d love to see you so please join us for antiques, vintage furniture, paintings and reclaimed homewares at 126 Mare Street, London E8. Stations: London Fields, Hackney Central & Bethnal Green.

Until next time, love Michelle x

PS I have several UK trips scheduled this year so if there’s anywhere in particular you’d like to hear about please do let me know in the comments below.