Last week we had the pleasure of visiting Charleston House in Surrey, England, once home to the inspirational members of the Bloomsbury Group. We were there to attend my talk with Busola Evans to celebrate my new book, Design Stories, which made the experience all the more special. From the moment Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant arrived in 1916, they began transforming their home into a living work of art. Join us as we take you around this enchanting and revolutionary house.
Charleston House has always been a gathering point for some of the 20th century’s most radical artists, writers and thinkers, known collectively as the Bloomsbury Group. It was, and still is, a place that brings people together to engage in art and ideas.
Charleston House is like a treasure trove. There is always something new to spot, no matter how many times you visit the now museum. We love this philosophy and it is something we think about often in our own work, creating spaces that continue to reveal themselves over time.
Upon entering the house, we were greeted by a large display of 50 plates that Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant were commissioned to hand paint, portraits of 48 women and two men. There is so much detail in the dinnerware. Each one is completely individual, with intricate patterns woven throughout.
As you move through the rooms, it becomes clear that very few surfaces were left untouched and everything was considered. Walls, furniture, fireplaces and even doors are painted with a kind of effortless confidence. However, the corridors leading to each room were always left plain, adding to the sense of anticipation upon entering. There is a looseness to the decoration that feels refreshing, a sense that it does not need to be perfect, just expressive.
In Vanessa Bell’s bedroom, Duncan Grant painted a cockerel above the window to wake her in the morning and a shaggy dog to protect her while she slept. Thoughtful touches like these are what make an interior feel homely and personal.
The Bloomsbury Group has deeply inspired us in our own decoration. For the refurbishment of the Bloomsbury Publishing offices, we commissioned Tess Newall to paint the fireplace in the same spirit as the artwork created by the group.
We developed this idea further at the Kips Bay Show House 2024, where Tess created painted panels to surround the fireplace.
Often, a large piece of furniture can feel too domineering in a room. In the same way that Vanessa Bell painted furniture, we have embraced this element of craft in our own interiors, adding a personal touch and a sense of character that softens a space.
Charleston is a reminder that interiors do not have to follow rules. They should feel personal, layered over time, and tell the story of a life well lived. We left feeling inspired and ready to pick up a pen or paintbrush. If you have not visited Charleston House and its beautiful gardens, we highly recommend it, not least to support the charity that continues to keep art, design, and this inspiring house alive.