Taking a journey through someone else’s world feels like a privilege.
Seeing how they create a world, how they negotiate the space, how they interact with the world around them. The atmosphere of their world.
Kettle’s Yard
One of my all time influences, even before I knew it existed, was Kettle’s Yard. Even before I knew it, how? Because the approach to living was what I was trying to emulate and when I first walked in, it felt like coming home. For those of you who have not yet visited Kettle’s Yard please do. If that’s not possible then take a virtual tour around it via their website http://tour.kettlesyard.co.uk
A perfect long white sofa, perfect for entertaining. The light well above is such a perfect considered addition
Jim and Helen Ede lived at Kettle’s Yard from 1958-1973. They often had an Open House policy, entertaining often and enthusiastically.
As curator of the Tate gallery Jim had collected art and supported many artists over the years and at Kettle’s Yard he placed these art works in and amongst found stones, natural objects and furniture in a carefully considered way. Every placing had intent, with an aim of creating an harmonic whole. For Jim the house wasn’t to be
an art gallery or museum, nor … simply a collection of works of art reflecting my taste or the taste of a given period. It is, rather, a continuing way of life from these last fifty years, in which stray objects, stones, glass, pictures, sculpture, in light and in space, have been used to make manifest the underlying stability.
(quote Jim Ede from Kettle’s Yard website)
This is the first sight when you enter the house. A perfect round staircase, next to a perfect round rush mat
To me it embodies the very essence of a complete and whole life not just a house and even more than a home. To me it was like finding a kindred spirit. The space that surrounds you shouldn’t just look good but it should look good, feed you and reflect you. There’s nothing false about this house as it is so true to the creator’s intention. It has an integrity that shines out and touches you directly.
Kettle’s Yard is a space – a home – that is both physical and cerebral – perfection to me.
Exquisite attention to detail
Perfect placement of stones and delight in the sunlight pebbles
A gorgeous nook for eating. For me not practical but I like to think in keeping with the Edes’ life as although they were always entertaining, guests were told to eat before they arrived. Here you can see an installation by artist Edmund de Wal on the table
Masseria Moroseta
The other space that is ticking boxes currently for me is Masseria Moroseta. I first found the space on Instagram (as usual) and this Italian farmhouse is reinventing our perceptions of what farmhouses should look like. It takes the conventions and twists them and creates clean almost Brutalist lines to create a calm Minimalist space that celebrates basic materials.
Simplicity of form and function at it’s best
Blocks to build walls that are then painted bright white. Very few embellishments to the framework. Therefore celebrating each line allowing you to look at the form.
Mismatched matching headboard, the black lines perfectly silhouette and create a a wall drawing. The dappled sunlight is a bonus
Unexpected, rough, raw materials that bring texture and character to a minimal space. At Harp Cottage Studio we call it ‘detailed minimalism’.
Very close attention to detail in the choice of furniture and decoration in the space. The farmhouse is a hotel and event venue which allows the freedom to be clutter free without huge amounts of storage in the rooms as the detritus of everyday life is unneeded to present itself and then it isn’t brought in by guests themselves.
Simple but sculptural elements bringing texture and beauty to the outside too -everything is considered
A massive white sofa again – this time the Gervasoni Ghost sofa designed by Paola Navone, Black steel windows and simple lines and forms to create nooks and fireplaces
Architect: Andrew Trotter @andrewopenhouse
All images are from Kettle’s Yard website or Instagram feed or Masseria Moroseta’ website or Instagram feed
