Kirstie Allsopp

Kirstie Allsopp Instagram – This lovely picture was taken of my Mother-in-law Gretchen Andersen by her daughter @andersenemily_photography.
Gretchen died on Monday the 17th of June, aged 94. I knew of Gretchen long before I met her son, I worked on Country Living Magazine, and Gretchen’s shop @lacquerchest was the go to place for renting props for any food or interiors photoshoot. I could never have known that years later our sons would have the run of that wonderful shop, and that Gretchen would be endlessly patient with her Grandsons’ questions and never worry that they would break anything.
We only had 12 days between the death of my Dad and Gretchen, but Viv, Gretchen’s adored husband died in December 2013, a month before my Mum, so we’ve been here before. Dad and Gretchen were both legends in the antique world and leave behind an extraordinary legacy of knowledge and appreciation of beautiful things. Both of their working lives and much of their spare time was about creating amazing spaces in which they welcomed all their friends and family. They were both in marriages with people who shared their passions and interests, but they both soldiered on after they lost their soul mates and both endured difficult illnesses at the end which they faced with extraordinary stoicism. So much to mourn the loss of, so much to be proud of ❤️ | Posted on 23/Jun/2024 02:21:58