Museum of the Home has announced Behind the Door Winter Auction, an online auction the proceeds of which will support Behind the Door, the Museum’s campaign to tackle hidden homelessness among women and families in London and beyond. Bidding opens at 11am on Tuesday 29th November 2022 and closes at 8pm on Thursday 1st December 2022. Prizes include a stay in a Richard Parr-designed hayloft, a private tour of Sotheby’s art collection and collector’s edition Wedgwood pottery.
This auction is an opportunity for anyone to bid on a range of exclusive experiences and stunning designer pieces, with proceeds supporting the Museum’s campaign to tackle hidden homelessness among women and families in London. Behind the Door partners with London Homeless Collective, bringing together over 25 charities working directly with people experiencing homelessness to provide vital services and relief, including Shelter, Centrepoint and The Salvation Army. As winter draws in and the cost of living crisis takes hold, more women and families face the prospect of homelessness. Living on the streets is so dangerous for women that survive instead by couch surfing, moving between friends’ spare rooms or in unsafe emergency accommodation. This ‘hidden homelessness’ means Behind the Door’s work is more important now than ever.
The Museum is proud to offer a range of fantastic prizes kindly donated by Museum supporters, ambassadors and friends. Overnight stays available to bid on include three-night stay for up to six guests at Life House, a stunning, peaceful retreat designed by architect John Pawson set in rural Wales near Llanbister, donated by Living Architecture. A stay at The Hayloft is also available. Featured in the Sunday Times Style magazine, The Hayloft is a cosy, high-concept retreat, stunningly restored by architectural practice Richard Parr & Associates. Donated by Richard Parr, The hayloft has a charming, private garden and is set in miles of beautiful countryside, perfect for relaxing walks. A stay in the Artist Suite at Artist Residence Bristol is also up for grabs. This eclectic, romantic bolthole in a Georgian townhouse looks onto Bristol’s leafy Portland Square and is donated by Artist Residence Hotels.
Also exclusively available is a private tea and tour of Sotheby’s art collection with Hannah O’Leary, Head of Modern & Contemporary African Art for prestigious auction house Sotheby’s and a fascinating private tour of fashion and textile historian and researcher Meg Andrews’ extensive collection of rare and antique clothing, donated and led by Meg Andrews
A porcelain tea set in Harlem Toile de Jouy, designed exclusively for Wedgwood by Sheila Bridges, who Time magazine named America’s best interior designer can also be bid upon. This tea set was part of My Beautiful Georgian Twisted Fantasy, a room set curated by The Cornrow for Museum of the Home’s Festival of Sleep, in summer 2022. A range of exclusive signed books, homewares, scents, jewellery and other items will also be in the mix. These have been donated by Milli Proust, Tatty Devine, Weruzo, Conran, Maya Njie and Yotam Ottolenghi, among many others.
Sonia Solicari, director at Museum of the Home, comments, Behind the Door has already raised over £100,000 in less than two years of work, thanks in no small part to all those who have so kindly donated amazing prizes to our online auctions. This one comes as many face the real prospect of homelessness this winter, because of the cost of living crisis. This auction creates a link of love and care between those who can afford to buy lovely things for friends and family this Christmas, and those who may have nowhere to call home this winter. Museum of the Home works to find ways we can live better together. If you’re looking for something wonderful to gift to someone you care about this Christmas, bid in this auction – and you’ll be spreading the love to those who are struggling.
Museum of the Home extends its thanks to Carolyn Asome, Deborah Johnson, Sarah Bedingfield-Shutt and Ali Moss-Thomas for their generosity in supporting the creation of Behind the Door Winter Auction.
