Introducing Home Comforts

The Johnston Collection, “East Melbourne’s best kept secret”, welcomes visitors to their new exhibition.

The Johnston Collection (TJC) is an award-winning house museum located in leafy East Melbourne at historic 1860s townhouse, Fairhall. The museum holds a superb collection of English Georgian, Regency, and Louis XV fine and decorative arts and hosts a vibrant program of guided tours, lectures, workshops, and events.

Fairhall and the Collection were a gift to the people of Victoria from William Robert Johnston (1911-1986), a prominent Melbourne-born antique dealer, real estate investor, and collector.

In line with Mr Johnston’s wishes, the Collection is displayed in a regularly rearranged domestic setting. Visitors have a unique opportunity to examine precious silver, furniture, glass, ceramics, timepieces, and objet d’art without the distraction of ropes or labels.

TJC’s summer exhibition is always eagerly anticipated. Last year, Inspired by Women – presented in partnership with the Embroiderer’s Guild, Victoria – featured more than 50 beautiful objects from the Guild’s historical collections. This year, historical quilts take centre stage.

Home Comforts invites visitors to ponder, “what makes a home, a home?” Each room of Fairhall has been reimagined, revealing new stories about the meaning of “home” in the 1700s and 1800s, with a focus on family life. The rearrangement features a merchant’s dining room; a nursery with dolls house and cradle; a breakfast room to enjoy new luxuries such as tea, coffee, chocolate and spices; the commercial world of a gentlemen’s study; an elegant drawing room for music and literature; and the work of staff in the kitchen.

The exhibition features beautifully preserved quilts, dating from the late 1700s to 1840s, displayed alongside fine and decorative art treasures from The Johnston Collection. The precious textiles are generously loaned from the private collection of Melbourne-based textile researcher and historian, Janet O’Dell. A multi-story Georgian-style dolls house – which includes furniture and decoration inspired by TJC – is also on show.

The exhibition also explores new technological innovations of the Georgian and Regency period: objects and ideas from other lands that brought a new sense of comfort to homes, then and now.

TJC warmly welcomes visitors to experience Home Comforts. The exhibition is open Wednesdays to Sundays until April 12, 2026 for pre-booked tours (for individuals or groups of up to 22). The exhibition is accompanied by a stimulating program of lectures, workshops, and events.

For more information, pick up a brochure at East Melbourne Library, the Melbourne Visitor Hub, or visit johnstoncollection.org •