Black beauty
I just went to a Christmas wander-round of Dennis Severs’ house in Spitalfields. The 18th century silk merchant’s house is decorated as a kind of living museum, or ‘three dimensional novel’ as its late owner suggested. For a full explanation of the house see Decorator’s Notebook’s post about her visit, here.
Richard Bryant via Somerset House Images
Chances are, if you live in London at least, and you’re reading this blog, you’ve either been here already or it’s on you to-do list. But my top tip is to do a Christmas visit if you can. The already crowded rooms were filled with sugar mice, decorations and the smell of mincemeat and clove-studded oranges. It was a treat for all the senses, all the better for being an experience undertaken in near silence. It also got me looking for dark rooms. My house is white, white, white, but maybe one day I’ll be brave.
Design: Goodchild Interiors
Absolutely gorgeous!
Dennis Severs’ House is absolutely fabulous and I thought I did clutter but after a recent visit I realise I’m just a beginner.
You’re right it is on my ‘to do list’ but has spent too long on it. Now you have tempted me to actually go and enjoy all the smells of Christmas. GG
I’m so pleased you finally got around to visiting… it was magical when I went and must be even more so all dressed up for Christmas. Glamourous Glutton: you must go!