 Standen House
Winding through the wooded lanes of the Sussex Weald makes a very pleasant approach
to this well-positioned and secluded house, built at the end of the
19th century. Carefully designed to blend in with the natural
landscape, Standen is a modest country house displaying the quality
of traditional materials and fine craftsmanship that were the hallmarks
of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
In 1890 James Beale, a successful
lawyer who in his later years was looking for a place in the country,
bought the old farms situated on a hillside to the south of East Grinstead
and bordering Ashdown Forest. A perfect location for his sporting activities,
good access to his offices in London, and a pleasant environment for his
large family to enjoy. Having seen examples of Philip Webb's work, through
neighbouring houses in Holland Park where they lived and at the homes
of some of their influential acquaintances, the Beales were convinced
that Webb's ideas would match perfectly with their own expectations for
a comfortable yet stylish home.
By using the existing farm
buildings as the nucleus of his plans, Webb created this wonderfully
unpretentious but imaginative house, taking extreme care over every
detail of the external appearance as well as the internal décor.
Mellow brickwork, warm red clay tiles, and oak weather-boarding perfectly
complemented the materials and building style of the original 15th century
farmhouse which adjoins the new house with a covered archway. To complete
the vision of a typical country scene, all the buildings are grouped
around a village green at the front, and there is a large courtyard
area to the rear of the house. The diverse gardens have developed as
a result of advice from G B Simpson, a landscape gardener from London,
thoughts from Webb to enhance the style of Standen, and Mrs Beale's
own preferences from her knowledge and keen interest in plants.
On the inside, Standen House
serves as a permanent exhibition centre for displaying the various textiles
and soft furnishings of William Morris and his company. Maybe the Beale's
had already sampled Morris' work in their Holland Park home but it was
inevitable that he would be involved in the new house. He was a close
friend of Philip Webb, and held the same fascination for the preservation
of nature and architecture which greatly influenced his designs. Some
of the patterns Morris produced specifically for embroidery were worked
by Mrs Beale and her daughters, who were accomplished needlewomen, and
some examples of these can still be found at Standen. Together with Webb's
wall panelling, artistic chimney-pieces and unusual copper light fittings,
the effect is simple, but stunning. Overall, this Standen House, bequeathed
to the nation for its architectural significance, is easy on the eye and
has a noticeably calming effect by its general state of unclutteredness. |
