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    

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.

Black living room

Dark grey living room

Design: Goodchild Interiors

 

4 Responses to “Black beauty”

  1. debra finn
    December 16, 2011 at 9:15 am #

    Absolutely gorgeous!

  2. helene
    December 16, 2011 at 6:51 pm #

    Dennis Severs’ House is absolutely fabulous and I thought I did clutter but after a recent visit I realise I’m just a beginner.

  3. Glamorous Glutton
    December 17, 2011 at 8:10 am #

    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

  4. Decorator's Notebook
    December 19, 2011 at 4:45 pm #

    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!

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