HB Edit - Edition 38
Sharing the things on my ebay watch list that I don't have the space or money for, but wish I did.
My HB Edit radio silence has definitely resulted in some complaints recently, many of which have reached me, and for this I can only apologise. I am busy building Houghton Brown, finding some knock-out antique pieces and generally being Mr Self-Employed. Fingers on buzzers people, as this will be launching very soon, and I will be letting you, dear reader / subscriber, know first.
Off to a fabulous start this week. The bed is, well, perfect. I long to have a guest bedroom to make whimsical, and this would do just that. It’s King sized (big tick as a 6ft 3 tall person/giant), and iron frame helps cut through too much upholstery in boudoirs. I’m also very interested in the seller’s house: is the panelling, fire surround/slips and floorboards also for sale?
This is a bargain. If you’ve had quotes for fitted joinery and had an aneurysm, this should be some sort of tonic. It’s obviously not completely brand new (ahem antique) but it’s a really pretty shape, got lovely patina, and a steal of a price.
From some favourite sellers of mine, this set of chairs is really special. I love the tall backs which gives me mid-century Italian vibes (although this set is French), and a modern chair is much narrower than an 18th/19th century piece, which makes them more practical in many ways. Also not expensive!
I love this. It’s a great level of age and patina, while also being a strong shape, and not too decorative/flowery. It’s really big also, which is fab! I shared one recently that was smaller and had sky-high levels of interest, so if you’re in the mirror market, act fast.
Again, what’s not to like? Rope twisted brass: so camp. This would be great in a bathroom as extra storage (I’ll one day shut up about this), and also could be on a skinny piece of wall on a landing for objects / bowl of keys / overflow books. It’s really sweet, and such a steal.
Obsessed with the ‘on tarmac front drive’ imagery here - with seller’s reflection included. In the wrong context, this could be Grannyish. But isn’t that the case with all antiques / 90% of my possessions? I like the shape (duh) and the cushions are fun. The upholstery is a bit Jilly Cooper / Rivals / Fred Fred and Valerie for me, but maybe that’s the charm.
A very pretty, ‘proper’ antique from the same favourite sellers. This is such a nice piece, and while expensive, would be so smart in a bedroom as a bedside. I love the ebonised finish and gilding, and think the drawer is so useful. Those skinny tapered legs are seriously special. Save up, and then splash out.
As ever, a sucker for an X-frame. This needs a bit of love to the frame, and some new upholstery to stop it looking like a prop from the Coronation. But other than that, it’s got incredible bones. Stools like this are useful in all sorts of places - and once you notice them in interiors magazines, you can’t unsee them.
Feature: for each edition, I will feature a person, object, room or place that inspires me.
This week, I am writing about Winter House (sometimes referred to as Cor-Ten House because of its material) designed by architect John Winter, on the fringes of Highgate Cemetery, North London.
John Winter (1930–2012) trained at the Architectural Association in the 1950s before studying at Yale. He worked for a number of US firms, including for Charles and Ray Eames, during which time he amassed a personal collection of Eames furniture. He returned to England to join Ernö Goldfinger (of Trellick Tower and nearby 2 Willow Road fame), later establishing his own practice.
I came across Winter House a while ago, as it was listed for sale with The Modern House. More recently, however, I found archival images of how it was in the 60s, which take away any feeling of outdatedness and bring a real sense of modernist glamour to the house. These images are my favourites, although the property listing also allows us to see more of the house, and get a sense of the space and layout.
The house was completed in 1969 for Winter and his family, at a cost of £12,421. The steel framed building is clad with cor-ten, the first domestic use of the material in the United Kingdom (hence the nick-name). The top floor features an open-plan living-space and study accessed from a central stair. The bedrooms and bathroom are on the first floor and an open-plan family kitchen, dining and playroom are on the ground floor. It was listed for £3.2million in 2013.
While the main sitting room certainly steals the show, there is a corner of the principle bedroom that excites me. While it’s no surprise that my heartland is antique furniture - specifically 18th and 19th century loot - I have a particular fascination with the way in which these pieces were incorporated into 20th century interiors. I love looking at images of Albert Hadley interiors, as well as the likes of Billy Baldwin, David Hicks, Mark Hampton. While not always ‘modern’ in aesthetic, the placement of antique furniture feels fresh compared to true 18th and 19th century layouts.
While this might be a stretch… the corner of the principle bedroom at Winter House feels something like that. A floor-length Regency Giltwood Pier Mirror sits on the end of a run of built-in teak wardrobes. Similarly the Edwardian mahogany dressing table with brass top rail is shoe-horned into the corner, but stylishly so. The same can be said for the sitting room, where minimalist low seating butts up against a heavy oak grand piano. It feels somewhat more deliberate and playful than contemporary furniture layouts - this might well be because we have less space to ‘play’ with these days, but also something to do with the current unshakable obsession with symmetry.
But the real star is the design, through and through. Everything is functional, built in, considered, with very little room for ornamentation. It feels purist while also somehow homely, and it’s a stark reminder that books are the best decoration of all. I only hope the new owners didn’t paint everything grey…
More anon!
Instagram: @hugobeazley
Postal address: 97 Regency Street, London, SW1P 4AL
The new site looks lovely! Good luck with the launch of Houghton Brown!