A Piece of Hambleden

If you want to take a look at or possibly even own a a small piece of a seminal designer's work, this is your week to do so.

More than any other project, this drawing room at Hambleden Manor shows the influence of Italy on John Fowler's work. In the 1950s Fowler went to Italy and toured several of Palladio's villas. After returning to England, John was able to pair his inspiration with a new client's heritage. John gained his first Italian client, Maria Carmela, Viscountess Hambleden in 1956. Together with Lady Hambleden, John created an Italian atmosphere in this Buckinghamshire manor.

Although not totally apparent from this photo, the room was initially painted quite a bright pink. Lady Hambleden found the color too strong and asked John to revise the scheme. Yet John refused, saying "If you start with such a pale shade it will fade to a terrible yellow." Lady Hambleden acquiesced and the room eventually faded to a lovely apricot as seen here.

Sadly, the room has now been dismantled and the contents will be sold. Colefax and Fowler, Then and Now is happening this coming Wednesday at Christie's in South Kensington and nearly all of the contents of this room are coming up on the auction block, including:

A set of three Italian giltwood armchairs, third quarter 18th C. Est. £5,000 – £8,000.

A Murano glass chandelier designed by John Fowler in 1955. Est. £10,000 – £20,000. Notice the faded apricot walls?

A pair of Regency giltwood, ebonised and bronzed large convex girandoles, circa 1810. Est. £20,000 – £40,000.

A near pair of green velvet banquettes. Est. £300 – £500. Sure, the upholstery is tired, but they're still wonderful. Images above from Christie's. 

Top image from John Fowler: Prince of Decorators by Martin Wood. 

Easton Gray House

This drawing room at Easton Gray House in Wiltshire is one of my favorite rooms by Tom Parr. There's a lot of subtlety and detail from the layered blues used on the walls to the stenciled floor. The black and white engravings of Rome look particularly striking against the wall color. Their frames are tied to the three black Japanned tables and fire screen without being too obviously coordinated. The vases above the pedimented door are a nice touch, adding dimensionality and interest.

Parr, who passed away last year, initially worked with David Hicks and later became a partner in Colefax and Fowler in 1960. He is largely credited with turning around the company's finances and he remained involved until his retirement in 1996. I hadn't seen a lot of his work previously as he has been somewhat overshadowed by his legendary predecessors. However, Parr struck his own tone and in his time contributed some truly impeccable rooms to the Colefax and Fowler portfolio.

Images from The House & Garden Book of Classic Rooms.

Faringdon House

Today I bring you Faringdon House in Oxfordshire, a late-Georgian manor once owned by the eccentric Lord Berners. A modernist composer, Dadaist painter and writer, Lord Berners entertained an incredible crowd at Faringdon including Cecil Beaton, Dali, Fonteyn, H G Wells, Stravinsky, and Gertrude Stein.

I was drawn into the double drawing-room (below) with its contrasting dark and pale schemes. The contrast is unexpected and reflects the nature of the house where walls hung with Corots, Constables, and Matisses contrast with tongue-in-cheek phrases adorned the walls, such as one at the top of the stairs that reads "No dogs admitted."

As of 2001, the home was still in the hands of a relative of Berners, who at the time was renting the home for £8,000 per month. Read more about her here.

Images from English Elegance by Judy Brittain