Elton’s lavish library: Singer shows off his eclectic taste in new family portrait – from Gucci velvet cushion to Pets At Home toys for his Labradors
Sir Elton John has offered a rare glimpse into his family’s home in a new portrait that has been unveiled at London’s National Portrait Gallery.
The singer, 78, posed with his husband David Furnish, 63, and their sons Zachary, 15, and Elijah, 13, as well as their two Labradors, Joseph and Jacob, at their lavish estate in Old Windsor.
Captured by photographer Catherine Opie, the photo will be housed in the institution’s Mary Weston Gallery from Tuesday, with the unveiling also marking the opening of the exhibition Catherine Opie: To Be Seen.
Gathered in the family library at their Berkshire home, Elton and his loved ones were surrounded by opulent belongings – including a standing Buddha sculpture (a similar item at Sotheby’s costs £4,366), vintage globes and a £152 diffuser from prestigious French fragrance house Diptyque.
The family posed on an expensive-looking ruffled hemmed sofa in front of their floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
As well as designer and antique décor (such as a Gucci velvet cushion), the library boasted a sentimental item – David’s Canadian TV award – as well as fun products, like the Pets at Home dog toy for their beloved pets.
In keeping with their stylish surroundings, Elton donned a purple suit, while his husband opted for country tweeds and a Cartier love bracelet, priced between £5,850 to £7,050.
Their sons proved equally fashionable in £195 penny loafers from American brand G.H.Bass, which they teamed with black T-shirts and wide-leg trousers.
Sir Elton John has offered a rare glimpse into his family’s home in a new portrait (pictured) that has been unveiled at London’s National Portrait Gallery. Pictured one to 14: a copper teapot, a desk globe, a £152 diffuser, a TV award, vintage chairs, stylish lamps and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a Gucci cushion, a statement sofa, a patterned rug, a colourful vase, a standing Buddha sculpture, a Cartier love bracelet and a Pets at Home dog toy
1. Copper antique teapot
Sitting on the floor of the singer’s room was an antique copper tea kettle from the late 19th century.
The charming piece, which was placed on a glossy wooden box, featured decorative cut-work overlays of brass and copper in a geometric pattern.
A similar, Moroccan version is currently on sale on eBay for $110, made from quilted copper, brass and nickel.
2. Terrestrial and celestial desk globes
On either side of the sofa, the singer had two pairs of vintage 18th century-style terrestrial and celestial desk globes.
While the terrestrial globes represent the Earth’s surface, the celestial globes map the stars and constellations.
The items, which come in varying shapes and sizes and can cost hundreds, have become a popular purchase among antique collectors.
At one side of the library sat a copper teapot, a £152 diffuser as well as a desk globe and a TV award, pictured
3. £152 diffuser
Nestled on a Chinese-inspired porcelain side table sat a £152 diffuser from prestigious French fragrance house Diptyque.
The brand’s website read: ‘Diptyque’s diffuser is ideal for scenting small areas.
‘Infused with the fruity smell of Fig Leaf Sap, it’s housed in a glass vessel that can be simply turned over to begin a one-hour cycle and refilled with the same fragrance after complete evaporation over several months.’
4. Gemini Award
Despite Elton’s many awards, just one was placed in the room, and it belongs to his husband, David Furnish.
A Gemini Award, which celebrated Canadian English-language television between the years of 1986 to 2011, sat proudly on the side table.
Elton’s Toronto-born husband received the prize from the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television in 2010 for Best Talk Series – Spectacle: Elvis Costello with… – which he executively produced.
The Gemini Awards were discontinued in 2011, and were replaced one year later by the Canadian Screen Awards.
5. Vintage chairs
Towards the back of the room are two vintage-looking mahogany chairs that appear to be French from the 19th century.
The chairs, which are both without arms, are upholstered with off-white, striped cushioning.
Both of the chairs are raised on four legs, which are rounded and intersect in the middle.
6 & 7. Stylish lamps and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves
Elton’s library was decorated with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with an impressive array of page-turners.
Some titles included The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre and Richard III: Brother, Protector, King by Chris Skidmore.
Meanwhile, stylish cream lamps were placed either side of the statement sofa.
8. Gucci cushion
Nestled on the sofa was a plush, velvet square cushion (pictured left) from Italian fashion house, Gucci
Nestled on the sofa was a plush, velvet square cushion from Italian fashion house, Gucci.
The red pillow, which is embroidered with a rabbit surrounded by flowers, has been discontinued – but resale prices for similar pieces on websites such as FarFetch are upwards of £800.
9 & 10 & 11. A statement sofa, a patterned rug and a colourful vase
A statement sofa, a patterned rug and a colourful vase were also included in Elton’s lavish library in his Berkshire home.
Proving his eclectic taste, the singer ensured that many statement items featured in his home, such as the ruffled hemmed sofa and eye-catching rug.
On one of his side tables there was also a colourful, expensive-looking vase taking centre stage.
12. Standing Buddha sculpture
A large Buddha sculpture stood on the right side of the room as the family posed for the portrait.
While Elton nor his family are known to be publicly religious, the popular statue is often seen as a symbol of peace, mindfulness and aesthetic beauty that helps to achieve inner calm in a living space.
A similar standing Buddha in the Northern Mandalay style can be purchased on Sotheby’s website at a cost of £4,366, and is described as a ‘lacquered and gilded well-proportioned and slender figure’ who has a ‘serene facial expression’.
13. Cartier Love Bracelet
David sported a chunky, gold Cartier Love Bracelet in the photograph, which retails at £7,050.
The bracelet, which also comes in white gold and rose gold, has become one of the brand’s most popular items since launching the Love collection in 1969.
The website reads: ‘An expression of Cartier’s design vision, this oval bracelet can be identified by its radical, innovative motif that dares to show its screws.’
14. Pets at Home dog toy
Zachary, who sat on the floor beside one of the black Labradors, clutched a dog toy from Pets at Home. The cord dinosaur toy is currently out of stock online
Elton may have filled his room with antique furniture, but one thing was from the high street – his dog toy.
Zachary, who sat on the floor beside one of the black Labradors, clutched a dog toy from Pets at Home. The cord dinosaur toy is currently out of stock online.
Elton and David purchased one of their labradors in 2023, and named him Jacob. The name of the family’s other dog is not known.
Announcing the puppy’s arrival on Instagram, David revealed the adorable new pooch is being looked after by their sons, saying: ‘Zachary and Elijah are co-fathering little Jacob, and have proudly declared that Elton and I are… erm… grandparents!’
G.H. Bass shoes
Zachary and Elijah sported matching black loafers from G.H Bass for the family portrait.
The £195 Weejuns 90s Larson Penny Loafers featured hand-stitched seams in waxed thread, and are currently on sale for £97.50.
Valentino trainers
While Zachary and Elijah donned matching loafers, Elton stood out in a pair of bright Valentino trainers.
The Chromathon sneakers, priced at £700, are made in Italy and have the brand’s logo on the side.
