Historical information

Mr. and Mrs. Tabulo, who owned the house between 1945 and 1965, created Fairyland in the 1940s. Fairyland was open to the public, especially children, who were invited to write their names in visitors’ books. These are now in the possession of the Kew Historical Society. Following the sale of the house after Mrs. Tabulo’s death, the garden and content of the house was cleared of its previous adornments. Grace Tabulo died in 1965.

"CHILDREN LIVING IN THE ONE STREET soon find out which house will welcome them and which house to avoid. Few children in few streets have ever had such a find as those who live in Malmsbury st, Kew. At 56 Malmsbury st they all belong. It is their house. There are no young children who are actual residents, but they are to be found
there all day long.
Mrs J. Tabulo is chatelaine of 56, but few children know her by this name. To them she she is the Fairyland Lady. In her pocket handkerchief front garden there are few flowers; there isn't room, for it has been turned into a children's dream. Cement, tiles, old broken pieces of priceless china, miniature bottles, leadlights, and strange and beautiful little statues have been welded into a grotto which Mrs Tabulo says is only appreciated and understandable to children.
It started off in a small way three years ago with a few odd statuettes, but with a street full of children ready and eager to build, it now has hardly room for even a miniature.
Like the children, the Fairyland Lady knows and values each mosaic-like piece. Many a wedding present, succumbed at last to the ravages of time, holds a vantage spot in the grotto.
The children bring along their broken bits and each is found a spot and cemented into the fairy story picture. In the cottage itself the children are also welcome. There is no spot, from skirting board to ceiling, that is not crowned with some gem or another. Fans, plaques, and china, some of it more than 300 years old, is handled daily by tiny but careful hands.
"Children," said Mrs Tabulo, "should be allowed to love and handle beautiful things. They are much more careful than adults. Bless them!" -H.S (The Argus, 22 January 1949)

Physical description

A photograph of Mrs. Grace Tabulo in the garden of ‘Fairyland’ in 57 Malmsbury Street, Kew.

Subjects