The best (or worst) Downton Abbey merchandise: from makeup to wine

 The Guardian, by Ami Sedghi  

We've all been there: you're settling down in your chair ready for the new season of Downton Abbey in the glow of your vanilla-scented M&S Downton candle after a relaxing bath using your Downton Abbey cream bath (fragranced with subtle tones of freesia and mandarin) and you just can't relax. Really, who would place that vase there?

Fortunately, at least for the Downton set-dresser, there is of course an app for that. Autodesk's Homestyler app has added the likes of the lavish drawing room, dining room and Lady Mary's bedroom into its design stream, allowing users to take control and play interior designer. It is, the press release promises, "a great addition to the experience for any Downton fan". If you've ever thought that what Lady Mary is really missing in her bedroom is a new chest of drawers or even a flatscreen TV, then you can download the free app on both iPhone and Android. 

The drama created by writer Julian Fellowes, now in its fourth series, has spawned a range of merchandise the people behind the Olympics would be proud of, though presumably without – they hope – the prompt reappearance of said merchandise in a Poundland near you. Earlier this year, producers of the show announced plans to launch an officially licensed merchandise range to include homewares, clothing and even furniture.

However other brands and stores haven't been slow on the uptake. From the paint used on set to Downton-inspired jewels and M&S's newly launched beauty range, there really is something for every Downton-obsessed fan out there. 

Marks & Spencers Downton Abbey beauty range

Launched this month, to coincide with the fourth series of the show, M&S has got the beauty merchandise of Downton sorted. The range includes products such as lip gloss (in claret red, precious gold and velvet mauve), bath crystals and body lotions. Now you just need a maid to run said bath for you.

1928's Downton Abbey jewellery collection

If it's the jewels and the glitz that gets you going on Downton, then you'll be pleased to know that you can emulate the luxury of Lady Edith from as little as £11.25 (via ACHICA) – though what Lady Mary would make of such cheap imitations doesn't bear thinking of. The Downton Abbey jewellery collection by vintage jewellery manufacturers 1928 features "authentic details and motifs from the late Victorian and Edwardian eras".

Chateau Downton?

The prize for the promotion with the loosest tie to the TV show has got to go to FromVineyardsDirect. It goes like this; Sunday night's episode featured Dame Nellie Melba, the famous Australian soprano played by Dame Kiri Te Kinewa. Melba is also the great-grandmother of the Vestey brothers who, we are informed, still own Coombe Cottage, the Melbourne residence Melba built on Coombe Farm. Two of the Coombe Farm wines; Coombe Farm Cabernet Merlot and Coombe Farm Chardonnay are discounted on FromVineyardsDirect for the month of October. Stock up that cellar, Carson.

Downton Abbey: Life in a Country House mini-course

If you have the time, inclination and the thirst for learning needed to go back to studying (not to mention the money for the airfare and a new Downton notebook) then may we recommend the new Downton Abbey: Life in a Country House mini-course from Camden County College in New Jersey. For $25, students will have the opportunity to attend five sessions that "explore various aspects of the show, including lessons applicable to society today". From the tricky problems of inheritance to servants and damnable new technology such as "lights, phones and cars" the course has it covered.

 source: The Guardian