The Steeple Times

Tag: artist

  • A Blank Canvas

    A Blank Canvas

    Chelsea “studio with living rooms” built for Augustus John and later owned by Dame Grace Fields DBE available to rent

     

    Though the Pembrokeshire born artist, bohemian and pacifist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) was best known for his portraits of Lawrence of Arabia and Dylan Thomas, he is also said to have fathered as many as 100 children over the course of his life. A Grade II listed “Dutch farmhouse-style” studio he built and occupied for twenty years in Chelsea, London is currently available to rent.

     

    A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)
    This vast studio room is the most impressive feature of 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6U

     

    Built in 1913 to 1914 from designs by a Dutch architect named Robert van ’t Hoff and Grade II listed, 28 Mallord Street cost an estimated £2,200 to build (the equivalent of £233,000, $291,000, €272,000 or درهم1.1 million today). It includes features influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and was described by Augustus John as “my new studio with living rooms” on completion. He lived there until 1934 and though initially delighted by the building’s “solidity and tautness”, ultimately termed it “this damned Dutch shanty” and moved to a new, purpose-built ferro-concrete at Fryern Court in Fordingbridge, Hampshire.

     

    Owned by the thrice married actress and singer Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979) – who described it as “feeling like home” and “a love nest” – in the 1930s and sold for £5.4 million in 2009 (the equivalent of £6.6 million, $8.2 million, €7.7 million or درهم30.2 million today). 28 Mallord Street is now available to rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) or £494,000 per year ($616,000, €576,000 or درهم2.3 million per year) through Aylesford International.

     

    A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)
    Augustus John OM, RA was celebrated for brilliant figure drawings, and for a new technique of oil sketching; his work was often favourably compared with Gauguin and Matisse
    A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)
    A Blue Plaque commemorating the artist was installed on the building in 1981
    A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)
    28 Mallord Street in 1981
    A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)
    Actress and singer Dame Gracie Fields OBE took up occupancy of the building soon after Augustus John sold it

     

    Expanded to provide 5,109 square foot of accommodation over five levels, the house is dominated by a 38’3” by 25’2” studio reception room with a ceiling height of 18’4” and also includes upto 6 bedrooms, 2 kitchens and a temperature controlled wine cellar with Hermès wallpaper.

     

    Aylesford describe 28 Mallord Street as “a true family home, the ultimate blank canvas and ideal for any art collector”. They offer it on an unfurnished basis.

     

    A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)A Blank Canvas – 28 Mallord Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 6DU – To rent for £9,500 per week ($11,800, €11,100 or درهم43,500 per week) through Aylesford – Built for artist Augustus John (1878 – 1961) and later home to Dame Gracie Fields OBE (1898 – 1979)

  • Terrible Tracey

    Terrible Tracey

    Tracey Emin announces she’s quitting London after her plans to construct a carbuncle that resembles a Hitler-esque oven are rejected; Londoners rejoice

     

    Tracey Emin CBE, RA is no doubt liked by somebody, somewhere. She’s made a fortune from what she calls “art” and though her unmade bed is often derided as one of the most stupid creations ever, she had the last laugh when it sold for millions.

     

    Now, though, this vastly overrated multi-millionairess member of ‘The Club’ is moaning that she’s “not wanted” in London anymore and is quitting for pastures new. Her reason? Tower Hamlets Council rejected her plans to demolish a listed building in Spitalfields and replace it with a carbuncle resembling one of Hitler’s ovens.

     

    Terrible Tracey – Tracey Emin announces she’s quitting London after her plans to construct a carbuncle that resembles a Hitler-esque oven are rejected; Londoners rejoice
    A perfectly fine listed 1920s building stands on the site currently (centre right)
    Terrible Tracey – Tracey Emin announces she’s quitting London after her plans to construct a carbuncle that resembles a Hitler-esque oven are rejected; Londoners rejoice
    Ms Emin wished to replace it with this hideous carbuncle
    Terrible Tracey – Tracey Emin announces she’s quitting London after her plans to construct a carbuncle that resembles a Hitler-esque oven are rejected; Londoners rejoice
    Tracey Emin believes people should “love is what you want”; the people spoke and showed they did not love her terrible proposal

     

    In an interview with The Guardian, Emin – whom bizarrely married a “big f**king stone” earlier this year as she “no longer wants to be alone” and whose palatial East End residence already includes a swimming pool – angrily justified her decision. She remarked:

     

    “Tower Hamlets says: ‘We don’t want you’… Well, there’s plenty of other places that do. It’s that simple”.

     

    “Why would you want to be somewhere you’re not wanted? What I’m going to do now is move out of London. I don’t have any choice on that… There’s places now in Britain that are desperate for artists – Margate’s thriving, Folkestone, Hastings. All that Kent coast. And I could have a giant studio and be really relaxed”.

     

    “I’m an international artist who hasn’t got enough room to swing a cat at the moment… If I knocked it down and built a hotel or flats I could greatly benefit. I could build eight, nine, ten flats in here”.

     

    Of the objections to her proposals, she added:

     

    “I’m in a vulnerable place right now… I was scared about having to take all these people on my own – it’s a big thing”.

     

    “I just feel I’ve been pretty bullied by the whole thing and I don’t want to be bullied any more… I don’t get the reaction I get from people”.

     

    In response to Ms Emin’s remarks, local resident Susie Stape told The Steeple Times:

     

    “What this woman, best known for her ghastly unmade bed ‘artwork’, wanted to build looked like something straight out of Auschwitz. It was highly offensive in an area traditionally linked to refugees and all I can say is that I pity wherever Tracey Emin heads next. She’s a blight on any community and we’re so delighted that we’ll soon be rid of her”.

     

    Ms Stape is right: God helps whatever community Terrible Tracey descends on next.

     

    Terrible Tracey – Tracey Emin announces she’s quitting London after her plans to construct a carbuncle that resembles a Hitler-esque oven are rejected; Londoners rejoice
    A side view of the rejected design
    Terrible Tracey – Tracey Emin announces she’s quitting London after her plans to construct a carbuncle that resembles a Hitler-esque oven are rejected; Londoners rejoice
    Another projection of the ugly building that has thankfully been rejected
  • Sculpting a Residence

    Sculpting a Residence

    Former residence of sculptor with Liz Hurley as a neighbour for sale in Chelsea

     

    The self-described ‘actress’ and diva Liz Hurley is probably the most famous ‘name’ living in cherry tree lined Redcliffe Road, SW10 but a slightly more talented former resident was a sculptor named Alice Lindley-Millican (married in 1917, died November 1930). Her former home, one of just four houses built as artist’s studios in the street, is now for sale.

     

    Sculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-Millican
    Liz Hurley in the street with her then partner Shane Warne

     

    Presented today as a family home and completely reconfigured, the 3,322 square foot freehold residence became home to Mrs Albert Millican – as she was widely referred to – circa 1915. It has accommodation over four floors complete with a dramatic curved staircase between the ground and lower ground floors and 3 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms – including one with a vast window that would also make it suited to be used as an artist’s studio still –and 3 bathrooms. A conservatory breakfast room leads onto a cleverly designed landscaped garden whilst the selling agents, Strutt & Parker, remark that “this [is a] much loved family home offering exceptional entertaining space”.

     

    Given the house is priced at £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) it is most certainly out of the realms of most artists.

     

    Sculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-MillicanSculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-MillicanSculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-MillicanSculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-MillicanSculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-MillicanSculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-MillicanSculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-MillicanSculpting a Residence – Redcliffe Road, London, SW10 9NQ – £5.45 million ($6.6 million or €6.1 million) – Strutt & Parker – Former home and studio of sculptor Alice Lindley-Millican

     

  • The Pret Prayer

    The Pret Prayer

    A new addition to the South Kensington neighbourhood in October 2016, the Pret Prayer likes to get his mat out in front of all and sundry in Pret A Manager in Old Brompton Road, SW7. He also likes to paint and listen to his radio – on full volume, of course. He then joins the Pret Sleeper and dozes off.

     

    The Pret Prayer – Pret A Manger, 15 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 3HZThe Pret Prayer – Pret A Manger, 15 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 3HZ

  • Five of the Best – Follies for sale

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale

    A selection of five of the best follies for sale in Britain and elsewhere

     

    A folly is unlikely to make an ideal home for a family, but for someone a little more quirky – a writer or artist perhaps – they can easily make an ideal home.

     

    Our selection of five of the best currently on offer follows:

     

    Church Brow Cottage, Kirkby Lonsdale, Lancashire – £280,000 ($367,000 or €328,000) through Davis & Bowring

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USAOriginally built by an eccentric vicar in the 1830s and spread over three floors, this Grade II* listed folly was restored by the now defunct Vivat Trust and opened as a holiday let by HRH The Prince of Wales in March 1993. It features in JMW Turner’s painting of what is known as ‘Ruskin’s View’ (sold for £217,250 in 2012) and includes one bedroom, a sitting room with a balcony, a kitchen and a bathroom. An informally landscaped leads down to the banks of the River Lune and access – on foot only – is via the adjoining graveyard.

     

    Treia, Macerata, Marche, Italy – £337,000 ($441,000 or €395,000) through Cella-Shirley Immobilliare

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USABuilt in medieval style in the 18th century, this “landmark building” outside the ancient walls of the town of Treia stands on a hill with about 2.5 acres of land including secular olive trees. A former farmhouse, the property needs complete renovation, currently consists of 8 rooms and a number of outbuildings and has been reduced in price from £440,000.

     

    The Summer House, Alderley, Gloucestershire – £990,000 ($1.3 million or €1.2 million) through Knight Frank

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USAGrade II listed and built circa 1770, The Summer House is a completely refurbished “perfect romantic weekend getaway” that is being sold fully furnished. Originally used as a small banqueting house by the great-great-grandson of Lord Chief Justice Matthew Hale, the 1,108 square foot Georgian property stands in 2.1 acres of gardens and woodland and features a sitting room, breakfast kitchen, two double bedrooms and a bathroom.

     

    The Tower, Sway, Hampshire – £2 million ($2.6 million or €2.3 million) through John D. Wood

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USABelieved to be the world’s tallest unreinforced concrete structure at 218-foot tall, Sway Tower – also known as Peterson’s Folly – was constructed between 1879 and 1886. The structure cost Andrew Peterson (1813 – 1906) some £30,000 (the equivalent of £3.4 million today) and came about after a medium told the Anglo-Indian barrister, socialist and spiritualist named that Sir Christopher Wren expected him to prove concrete could be used to create such an edifice. It now provides 4,707 square foot of accommodation over a total of 14 floors and includes 4 bedrooms, 3 en-suite bathrooms and a crucifix shaped ground floor with a drawing room, dining hall, sitting room, kitchen and conservatory. The top three floors of the Grade II* listed building are let to mobile telephone providers at an annual rate of some £34,000 and within the 0.7 acre plot, there’s also an indoor swimming pool, extensive garaging and a tennis court.

     

    Woodstock Castle, Connecticut, USA – £24.4 million ($32 million or €28.6 million) through Christie’s

    Five of the Best – Follies for sale A selection of five of the best follies for sale including ones in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire and Connecticut, USADescribed as “just weird”, Woodstock Castle was built “for exotic women, exotic animals, both or neither” according to a 2008 feature by the Worcester Massachusetts Telegram. John Pizzi of Randall Realtors Christie’s International Real Estate takes a different view and describes the 18,177 square foot, 126-foot tall building as “majestic” and “a dream come true”. Used by its “colourful and impulsive” owner, importer-exporter Christopher W. Mark as a home for his family and his collection of emus, zebras and camels, this oddity comes with 9 bedrooms, an auditorium with a stage and 75 acres of land.

     

     

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