How to bring a touch of magic to your interiors using shellwork
One of the oddest decorative trends to have swept England’s country houses over the course of the last few centuries is surely the shell grotto. These damply magnificent structures – with their walls inlaid with shells and dripping statues of deities peering out from around every corner – were popular among the Greeks and Romans and underwent a revival in the Mannerist gardens of Renaissance Italy. They started making their way to our more northern shores in the 1600s, and by the 18th century, many of Britain’s grandest country houses were enthusiastically embracing the craze. Among the most legendary was the extensive version at Oatlands Park in Surrey, then the home of the Duke of York, which was two storeys high and served as an entertainment pavilion for the Duke and his guests. Woburn Abbey, Stowe and Osterley Park all had their own grand grottoes, as did Alexander Pope in his Twickenham house.
After a couple of centuries of being out of fashion, the shell grotto in its various manifestations has been making a real comeback in recent years. The Shell Grotto at Margate, a mysterious underground passageway discovered in 1835 and whose purpose and original date remain unknown, is an increasingly popular tourist attraction; the spectacular 18th-century crystal grotto at Painshill was the subject of major works to restore it to its former glory in 2013; and charming contemporary versions are being created from scratch. The celebrated garden designers Julian and Isabel Bannerman were responsible for Oberon’s Palace, a new crystal grotto at Arundel Castle, the home of the Duchess of Norfolk. Sir Roy Strong has also created a new grotto at The Laskett, his Hertfordshire garden.
It’s not only the grand tradition of grottoes that’s back in vogue, however. Back in the 18th century, ladies of wealth and taste adopted the craft of shellwork, creating small decorative objects like caskets and miniature grottoes in cases, and this smaller-scale work has become increasingly popular lately. Tess Morley, who has worked on the restoration of a number of shell grottoes, including the stunning one at Goodwood, makes all manner of shell-decorated objects, including mirrors, lamps, obelisks and sailors’ valentines.
There is also a growing number of makers and brands creating shell-inspired pieces, from lighting to seating. Porta Romana, for instance, has a range of wall lights based on various different shells, offering an elegant and subtle way to bring the timeless beauty of shells into your room scheme. It is also worth searching antique shops and markets, and scrolling through online listings, to find some exquisite examples of original shellwork pieces. Alternatively, you could try experimenting with interesting arrangements of individual shells or groups of shells in one of your rooms – the perfect way to dip your toe into the world of sea shells without making a considerable investment.
Whether you’re hoping to create your very own shell grotto, or find the perfect finishing touch for your interior, there is plenty of inspiration to be found in the pages of House & Garden. These are favourite examples to inspire your magical transformation.



















