Everything you need to know about visiting the charming and eclectic Charleston House in Sussex. How to get to Charleston as a day trip by train and what to do in Lewes, one of the cutest towns in England.
Nestled in bucolic Sussex gardens the seventeenth-century exterior belies the riot of imaginative decoration inside; a legacy of its function as artistic residence to the Bloomsbury Group.
The joyful exuberance of the Bloomsbury Group’s spiritual home is having a notable bearing on the work of designers and craftspeople living nearby, finds Arabella Youens.
The bohemian English circle that included Virginia Woolf, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell, and Lady Ottoline Morrell revolted against Victorian formality—and their casually ornamental style is inspiring designers today, Rebecca Mead writes.
The joyful exuberance of the Bloomsbury Group’s spiritual home is having a notable bearing on the work of designers and craftspeople living nearby, finds Arabella Youens.
Located in the beautiful village of Firle in East Sussex, Charleston House served as a home and meeting place for the celebrated ‘Bloomsbury Group’ including Virginia Woolfe, Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell. Read the full article now...
Everything you need to know about visiting the charming and eclectic Charleston House in Sussex. How to get to Charleston as a day trip by train and what to do in Lewes, one of the cutest towns in England.
Plein Air in Charleston Farmhouse Garden Charleston Farmhouse was the idyllic South Downs home of the painter Vanessa Bell, sister of Virginia Woolf whose own retreat, Monk's House, was just four miles away. Bell moved into the property in 1916 with her two children, her lifelong friend and sometime lover the artist Duncan Grant, Grant's lover at the time, writer David Garnett, a nurse, a housemaid, a cook and Grant's dog Henry. This image is taken from my original collage put together using old magazine clippings. It is part of my ongoing Writers' Houses project. These cards have been featured in The Guardian and Homes & Antiques Magazine. Perfect for Bloomsbury fans, this professionally printed card measures 12.5 x 17.5 cms folded. It comes with a brown kraft envelope. Printed on the decorative reverse is some Charleston Farmhouse history and my birdy logo. More greeting cards, prints and small original collages here: amandawhitedesign.etsy.com Thank you for looking!
Well, THAT was incredible! The first trip I booked when I knew we were moving to England was a pilgrimage to the Bloomsbury group’s home base in Sussex, UK called Charleston Farmhouse. I kept reading about it via my interior design favorites - Kit Kemp, Beata Heuman, & more - and now I see h
Located in the beautiful village of Firle in East Sussex, Charleston House served as a home and meeting place for the celebrated ‘Bloomsbury Group’ including Virginia Woolfe, Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell. Read the full article now...
Around the turn of the twentieth century a group of Bohemian intellectuals composed of artists, writers, and economists formed a kind of of clique, where they lived freely, more or less, according to their own rules and eschewed the repressive, conformist social mores of the day.
Everything you need to know about visiting the charming and eclectic Charleston House in Sussex. How to get to Charleston as a day trip by train and what to do in Lewes, one of the cutest towns in England.
We've all heard of Hemingway and his band of literati’s and artistes that shook up Parisian society throughout the 1920’s, whom we nostalgically call the “Lost Generation”. Lesser-known to us however, is the “Bloomsbury Group”, a collection of talented bohemians across the channel who were pioneers
Well, THAT was incredible! The first trip I booked when I knew we were moving to England was a pilgrimage to the Bloomsbury group’s home base in Sussex, UK called Charleston Farmhouse. I kept reading about it via my interior design favorites - Kit Kemp, Beata Heuman, & more - and now I see h
Well, THAT was incredible! The first trip I booked when I knew we were moving to England was a pilgrimage to the Bloomsbury group’s home base in Sussex, UK called Charleston Farmhouse. I kept reading about it via my interior design favorites - Kit Kemp, Beata Heuman, & more - and now I see h
Pictures from Charleston, the Bloomsbury Group’s country retreat in East Sussex
Whilst I was on my photo-taking trip round the south coast of England, I paid a visit to Charleston Farmhouse in Sussex with my cousin. I've visited it before, but I was dying to see it again as it's so inspirational. Charleston Farmhouse was, from World War 1 onwards, the home and country meeting place for the writers, painters and intellectuals who made up the Bloomsbury Group, including Vanessa Bell and Scots-born Duncan Grant (he of the Omega workshop). There was quite a lot of goings-on, artistic, intellectual and otherwise. Here's Vanessa, circa 1910 Getty Images and here's Duncan, who was apparently absolutely irrisistable to all and sundry. (c) George Eastman House What do you think...? Now...it was a lively household, with many guests coming and going who were big names in the literary and artistic circles of the time, such as E M Forster and Roger Fry (with whom Vanessa had a relationship in 1911). Vanessa Bell was married to Clive Bell. Duncan Grant was gay, with a series of partners/models, including his cousin Lytton Strachey, politician Arthur Hobhouse, economist Maynard Keynes, and David Garnett. Vanessa had a baby in Christmas 1918, who was born at Charleston and weighed using the kitchen scales. Upon seeing her there, David Garnett (Grant's lover) declared 'I'm going to marry her!" In a rather creepy way. The child, called Angelica, grew up believing Clive Bell was her father, but discovered at 17 that her father was in fact Duncan Grant (much to her distress). Duncan Grant with Angelica Bell (c) The Tate Archive And yes, Angelica then went on to marry David Garnett. Blimey!! Unbelievable. (And it's actually far, far more complicated than that - for more details read the article here.) Despite Duncan's homosexuality, he and Vanessa were devoted to each other, and lived together until she died, in 1961, in the upstairs bedroom, looking out at the garden. (The beds are surprisingly small and narrow....all things considered.) So the household was a seething mass of love triangles, suicides and Communism. Although the farmhouse was only rented, the group went to work decorating, embroidering, and printing pretty much every available part of the interior, as well as designing the garden, in a frenzy of creative outpouring. Plates, furnishings, textiles, ceramics, rugs, lampshades like collanders which cast a sparkly light, - you name it, they made it. Walls are stencilled. Fireplaces and doors are painted on. It's an eclectic, electric whirl of 60 years of creative energy. Although mentioning electrics, the wiring looks decidedly dodgy (although I was assured it's all been, er, checked...). Here's the dining room, where Queen Bee Vanessa insisted on being mummy and sitting at the head of the table serving everyone at the strictly-timed evening meal. She liked to be the alpha female of the group. I'm sure there were many heated debates between them all. Can you imagine what on earth it must have been like to be invited there as a houseguest? You'd have to be on your toes not only to keep up with all the intellectualising, but also just wondering what exactly what was going on between everyone, and was there a lock on your bedroom door. Here's the drawing room. It has lovely views into the garden, as if nature is coming into the room. In fact, a lot of the rooms are double aspect, and have a wonderful feeling of light about them, even though some of them have very dark grey painted walls. Vanessa painted a lot of murals using circles as a motif. It's a very feminine symbol, like a full moon, or the circle of life. This is Duncan Grant's studio. I have to say, as achingly desirable as it would be to have as a studio, is does have the feel of somewhere to sit and act the part of being an artist, rather than the sense of an active working studio. It's not exactly Frances Bacon's workplace. Here's a detail of the lock on one of the doors. The colours are pastel and chalky, like the soil of east Sussex itself. The paints were formed from ground pigment mixed with rabbit size glue in order to adhere to the surfaces on which they were applied. This is the bathroom - even that's decorated. (c) The Charleston Trust The general bohemian feel of the household with all its complex intertwined relationship entanglements is probably summed up in this Charleston textile, an embroidered silk hanky. University of Brighton If you're ever near Eastbourne, then I do urge you to go. Check opening times first, and be aware that you have to go round in a small group as part of a guided tour. However, this is wonderful. The whole place is inspirational, as it just has such a huge sense of energy about it. It makes you want to go off and paint all over your entire house!!
I wanted to share just some of the photos I took during our visit to Charleston House at the start of August. I took so many and didn’t want them to just disappear deep into the cloud! Charleston House was the home of artists Vanessa Bell & Duncan Grant, aka The Bloomsbury Group. They liv
Nestled in bucolic Sussex gardens the seventeenth-century exterior belies the riot of imaginative decoration inside; a legacy of its function as artistic residence to the Bloomsbury Group.
Nestled in bucolic Sussex gardens the seventeenth-century exterior belies the riot of imaginative decoration inside; a legacy of its function as artistic residence to the Bloomsbury Group.
Everything you need to know about visiting the charming and eclectic Charleston House in Sussex. How to get to Charleston as a day trip by train and what to do in Lewes, one of the cutest towns in England.
Well, THAT was incredible! The first trip I booked when I knew we were moving to England was a pilgrimage to the Bloomsbury group’s home base in Sussex, UK called Charleston Farmhouse. I kept reading about it via my interior design favorites - Kit Kemp, Beata Heuman, & more - and now I see h
Located in the beautiful village of Firle in East Sussex, Charleston House served as a home and meeting place for the celebrated ‘Bloomsbury Group’ including Virginia Woolfe, Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell. Read the full article now...
In an occasional series, TravelMail looks at some of the lesser known historic houses around the UK, finding out from the experts what not to miss. This week, Charleston in East Sussex, where the Bloomsbury Group created a country idyll.
Vanessa Bell and younger sister, Virginia Woolf via Janey Pugh Charleston House in East Sussex, the home of Vanessa Bell and country meeting place for the Bloomsbury Group interior of Charleston House via The BBC via Christie's The BBC The BBC via The BBC via Sexuality in Art via Cave to Canvas via Cave to Canvas via Cave to Canvas via cave to Canvas fabric design via The V & A Paintings and textile designs by Vanessa Bell, sister of Virginia Woolf, and member of the colorful, free-thinking Bloomsbury Group
Located in the beautiful village of Firle in East Sussex, Charleston House served as a home and meeting place for the celebrated ‘Bloomsbury Group’ including Virginia Woolfe, Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell. Read the full article now...
Everything you need to know about visiting the charming and eclectic Charleston House in Sussex. How to get to Charleston as a day trip by train and what to do in Lewes, one of the cutest towns in England.
The country retreats of the bohemian elite who triggered a cultural revolution are braced for a busy summer as a lavish retelling of their story comes to BBC2
The Garden Museum's new exhibition features the fertile grounds beloved by Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West, Vanessa Bell, and Lady Ottoline Morrell.
Well, THAT was incredible! The first trip I booked when I knew we were moving to England was a pilgrimage to the Bloomsbury group’s home base in Sussex, UK called Charleston Farmhouse. I kept reading about it via my interior design favorites - Kit Kemp, Beata Heuman, & more - and now I see h
Lytton Strachey, EM Forster and other members of the Bloomsbury group are shown in Frances Partridge's archive, which is being opened to the public by King's College, Cambridge
Farrow & Ball - Charleston Gray No.243 A warm and muted grey, Farrow and Ball Charleston Gray is named after the much loved home of the equally artistic and intellectual Bloomsbury Group in East Sussex. Very popular for use in modern living rooms, its brown undertones create a warm, enveloping and hushed atmosphere. Recommended Primer & Undercoat: Dark Tones With 132 signature shades to choose from, Farrow and Ball are known for providing the highest quality, intensely pigmented paints. With a wide variety of finishes and sizes to choose from in a beautiful collection of colours including stunning neutrals to darker and moody hue’s, Farrow and Ball paints include premium ingredients and techniques, delivering a long lasting and stylish finish to your home. Farrow and Ball Charleston Gray finishes include: Dead Flat - A multi surface paint, suitable for walls, woodwork & metal. Farrow and Ball Dead Flat provides the ultimate flat matt finish perfect for busy areas including hallways, kitchens and playrooms. Modern Emulsion - The perfect choice for your walls & ceilings. Featuring protection against mould, Farrow and Ball Modern Emulsion is made for your kitchen and bathroom walls. Estate Emulsion - Providing a beautifully chalky matt finish, Farrow and Ball Estate Emulsion paint has been designed for using on walls & ceilings in lower traffic areas within your home. Modern Eggshell - Designed for your interior wood and metal surfaces, Farrow and Ball Modern Eggshell is tough and easy to clean. Estate Eggshell - Providing a more satin and low sheen finish, Farrow and Ball Estate Eggshell paint is perfect for your interior woodwork and metal. Full Gloss - Delivering the ultimate high gloss finish, Farrow and Ball Full Gloss can be used on both interior and exterior woodwork and metal. Exterior Eggshell - A durable and low sheen paint, Farrow and Ball Exterior Eggshell lasts up to 6 years and is perfect for your exterior woodwork and metal. Exterior Masonry - Add a pop of colour to your exterior brick, render and concrete with the Farrow and Ball Exterior Masonry paint, designed to provide a water resistant, durable and breathable matt finish. (Did we also mention it lasts up to 15 years?) Looking to narrow down your search? Why not test out our Farrow and Ball 100ml sample pots available in all 132 signature shades. All Farrow and Ball 100ml tester pots are available in a chalky matt Estate Emulsion finish. Farrow & Ball colours are mixed into genuine Farrow & Ball paint bases using the official tinting machine. All paint and colour pigments used are provided by Farrow & Ball. As these colours are mixed to order we cannot accept returns or exchanges and orders cannot be cancelled once processed. Please see our returns page for further information.
Nestled in bucolic Sussex gardens the seventeenth-century exterior belies the riot of imaginative decoration inside; a legacy of its function as artistic residence to the Bloomsbury Group.
Hand painted by me, these coolie shades are inspired by the beautifully eclectic interiors of the Bloomsbury group, such as Charleston Farmhouse, home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. These shades are a new design in citrus and jewel-like colours which look great in with contemporary sofas and interiors - giving a soft and warm glow when lit. They are inspired by the wall and furniture surface decoration of the Bloomsbury artists' dwellings in the 1930s and 40s in London and East Sussex. The fitting of the shades are suitable for pendant or lamp base fittings. The shade is also adjustable allowing you to tilt the shade to read or work by. The shade is painted using colourfast fabric paint which simply needs an occasional dust or wipe with a scarcely dampened cloth. This size has a base diameter of 40cm which looks great on a large table lamp base or on a standard lamp or ceiling. This shade also comes in a medium size of 30cm and also in a 22cm base width. These are listed separately in my shop.
