Nigel Ip

Sambourne House has always been one of the most immersive Victorian interiors in London. That experience has just gotten a little better with a bespoke soundscape by sound artist Elizabeth Langfeld.

Inspired by the diaries of Marion Sambourne – the wife of Linley Sambourne – the soundscape is set in the dining room, a large space containing convex mirrors, Chinese porcelain, lots of wooden furniture, and a fireplace. Similar to the rest of the house, the walls are lined floor-to-ceiling with framed photographs of artworks, occasionally revealing the Morris & Co. wallpaper beneath.

Recorded in situ in the dining room, Langfeld’s soundscape recreates the atmosphere of a lived-in space, as if the ghosts of the family are presently having dinner. One can clearly hear the chaotic sound of cutlery hitting the plates while the fire crackles in the fireplace. Near the back, an entity can be heard opening drawers, pouring drinks, even walking from side of the room to another, probably one of the two waiters who were hired for the evening to serve the lavish, eight-course dinner and plenty of wine.

It’s a very atmospheric installation, one that I’d quite like to see implemented in other parts of the house, such as the living room or perhaps the maid’s bedroom. Although the soundscape is a purely auditory experience, it conjures up questions pertaining to the other senses, such as smell and taste.

Just remember not to touch anything.

Elizabeth Langfeld’s soundscape can be experienced with general admission to Sambourne House (from 3 September 2025), https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/sambourne-house