I finally make it to Fenton House, a really charming 17th century Hampsted merchant house. One of John Fowlers last works for the National Trust. Many Fowler moments, archetypal and otherwise but my personal highlight are these sitting room curtains.
‘So charming!’ I exclaimed, to which the very grand room steward replied ‘…well IIIIII think they’re dreadful and all those little frilly bits keep falling off….’
Grrrrrrrrrr.
Well, Fowler’s ‘ladies panty’ curtains are not for everyone but I thought it was the sweetest thing in the world that he punched holes in the ruffled edges for a sort of homemade broderie anglaise effect. Times were hard, budgets were tight but Fowler always found ways and means with charm and whit to boot.
Rather an au courant approach don’t you think?
- Category: Friends, Inspiration, Interior Design, Travels, Uncategorized
- 3 Comments
I love reading your articles - always witty, clever, getting right to the heart of the issue at hand, sometimes caustic, never unkind. A wonderful, entertaining and perfect balance. Thank you, always leaves me with a smile. PS I think that I must agree with the sentiment of the “grand room steward”. XxX
Agreed! How I love frills, maybe not so wearable for me but how could anyone refuse those curtains? pgt
If only they sold the matching pants in the gift shop…