London Sojourn: Standen

Standen was built between 1892 and 1894 for the London solicitor James Beale, by an architect who was a close friend of William Morris, Phillip Webb.  The guidebook tells us that in early 1856, "Phillp Webb met the 22-year old William Morris for the first time: 'we understood one another at once,' Morris said later.  From that understanding grew William Morris & Co., which was to transform the standard of interios design in Britain and to play a central role n the Arts and Crafts movement."

 

As the guidebook, published by the National Trust, indicates, the house enjoys the best views to the south but does not dominate the prospect.  Web paid equal attention to the needs of the family and their staff, creating light filled roms with plain panelling that was combined with Morris wall papers and fabrics.  The house remained used by the family through to 1972 when the last surviving Beal died and Arthur and Helen Grogan took a long term lease, unertook extensive restoration and then transferred the house and grounds to the National Trust.   

 

I've attached some photos taken the day of my visit when a heavy frost coaed the fields and hedges; Rosemary and I had a Christmas dinner in the barn.