Exploring Charleston House: An Expression of Early 20th-Century Art | Houses with History

House & Garden presents Houses with History from Charleston House. Join Lucy Hammond Giles, Associate Director at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, as we tour Charleston House, once home to artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant.
Vanessa and Duncan saw no particular distinction between art and interior design, and treated the house as a canvas, painting practically every wall and piece of furniture in their own distinctive styles. As a result, the house is not only a significant piece of art history, but a landmark in the history of interior decoration. Watch the full video, as Lucy provides her unique perspective as a decorator whilst we explore this historic house.
#HouseTour #History #InteriorDesign
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[@nogginsvintageandretro9683]

I love this house so much, I hate that many of today’s houses have stark white or plain walls and bland coloured furniture

[@kimstahl6833]

I totally agree. There is no personality .

[@ClosetGothic]

We are all different, aren’t we? I love elements of the house but find the overall totally overwhelming. Whitewashed walls with just some of these beautiful art pieces would suit me fine.

[@tammyharris11]

Amen!

[@mullofcuntire58t]

David Nicholls, deputy editor of House and Garden magazine, harassed and bullied an autistic student to the point of suicide.

[@shastriseeraj7425]

@@ClosetGothic juast as you,this is my opinion,and I was wondering if in those times there was any design principles used in these houses,I love these old house, so much history and character but the decor to seems a hodge podge of things put together by owners that they liked, which his wonderful and how it should be,but like you it is a bit too much for my taste

[@isabelleskiss]

I knew this house from books and it was always the house of my dreams, but as you show it in this video it comes alive! The whirlwind of creativity that has wrought in this home is stunning!

[@texas1949]

An artist’s home! My favorite kind. ❤

[@bbgunn917]

I've gone here so many times over decades and the video while lovely doesn't portray the amazing ambience inside the house. One time, in the 90s, I was terribly upset and one of the superb docents took me to sit in a chair in the garden room and chat. I'm sure it wasn't really allowed but it was unforgettable. The walled garden is fabulous and I'm sure they took the house for the far views over Sussex downs (plus sister Virgina Woolf lived nearby at Rodmell) There was a book festival in the summer where I heard Lisa St Aubin de Teran talk. TY Charleston for so many memories.

[@cauehernandes5210]

Loved this!! ❤ Could you please do Virginia Woolf’s monk’s house next? 🙏🏻

[@bettinarossi7908]

Many a wall was painted,many a new creative project was forged..during the pandemic,no doubt. Creating art is soothing,as it is therapeutic..hence art is essential..😊 This house is beyond fabulous...it's whimsy and abandonment of spirit ,is evident.The dining room hanging light and the painted table..are crazy makers..in a delightful way. So inspiring.It is like living in a Matisse painting. You can still feel the vibe of love of life in all aspects in all the rooms. Splendid.😺

[@vanessaisom8620]

Thank you for this. I have visited this house many times, and love to stand in the rooms and imagine the 'Bloomsbury set getting on with their daily lives within the walls. This is a real artists home, where art is not confined to canvasses but to everything within the house. Love it!

[@ochervelvet9687]

Thank you for filming this. Whenever I’ve seen photographs of this house they’ve always concentrated on the famous mantelpieces. It’s really nice to see the rest of the house.

[@billyporter2195]

Thank you for taking us around Charleston. I’ve watched many films and videos, and read books on Bloomsbury but this house , to me, is the outstanding legacy. The colours, textures and style just seems so comfortable to me and I would choose Charleston over any palace or Villa etc for my peace of mind Thank you👍

[@susanrichard5884]

Thank you for showing the "Gone too far" chairs. They and the entire house are fantasticly wonderful .❤ May we all let our creativity go to such delightful extremes 😊 please do show us more creatively done homes.

[@stevemiller7949]

Lucy provided lovely commentary. Maybe Iam too romantic but I felt like I was connecting with the spirit of those charming people who lived so intensely in that lovely place.

[@aiai-j7i]

Me too!

[@giselameyn2019]

We've become so boring and fearful in our designs. This is bold and brave and beautiful and full of life and warmth. Love it!

[@sunitashastry5270]

This is a real cool example of living in the early 20th century. What an interesting place to live.

[@happytimes6113]

A fabulous and very interesting tour of a fabulous and very interesting house!

[@bettinarossi7908]

Me too!! Love,love this charming home..so filled with the love,admiration and respect these two people had for one another as artists,friends and as lovers...and quite brilliant is this decorator's style of dress! The whimsical sneakers and long coat! Just wonderful. Great video!🙂Thank you😺

[@arcgaatrako]

Oh wow, what a house! The faded colours of Duncan's studio come in an incredibly beautiful contrast with the vibrant, dotted synthetic pillow case. A happy accident! :) I bet he would have liked the aesthetic effect. Thank you for sharing this gem with us!

[@ritazita1111]

Wonderful!!--as a painter myself, I have always been drawn to this house. I like this particular video best of all I've seen, as I suspect the colors here are more true to the actual colors. Thank you very much.

[@aiai-j7i]

She has the most soothing, warm, rich voice...I could listen to her narating a book!

[@katymerk1750]

What a marvelous tour of this glorious home. Thank you! I'd read that Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell were a source of inspiration for Luke Edward Hall's work and wow-- I definitely see it. What a wonderful peek into such a layered, historic home.

[@elaineroberts7493]

Such a lovely start to my day, when this popped up in my KZbin feed! I love visiting Charleston, and absorbing the atmosphere in each room. The paintwork, and the wonderful paintings in the whole house are so wonderful. The one advantage of Covid for me was that groups were restricted in size, as the rooms are small, and it was possible to see everything more clearly without jostling around other visitors. The garden too is lovely - I just want to go back again!

[@Lin-1785]

I'm so speechlessly in love with this house and its history and spirit. Has been high on my ToVisit list for a long time. This vid is delicious!

[@abeerali7834]

Full of surprises that every detail is delightful and feeds rainbow candy to the eyes.

[@jefflawrentz1624]

Wow- that was beautiful. It’s difficult to pick a favorite room - but if I had to it would be the study/ library. Wonderful!

[@wellingtonlessa96]

The most authentic house I've ever seen. No more words!

[@malgozata1875]

This was the best presentation of Charleston House that I have seen yet. Thank you very, very much.

[@TheScarletprimrose]

Charming, in depth rich feelings of the past. A house still alive with intentional love joy peace!! I smile when I imagine their life. Where is Charleston?

[@cooperwesley1536]

It works as a lovely museum that highlights how a certain sort of rebel soul lived in times past, AND it contains moments of inspiration as well... but I can't imagine living that way today. It's truly lovely, and I'm so glad to see it, but I can't imagine trying to reproduce such a style in our contemporary world. With that in mind, I do wish more people would embrace color in the way that the Bloomsbury Group did. I'm so deadly bored of "the neutral palette." Many thanks.

[@clairenoon4070]

Honestly, there are a fair few contemporary homes in the UK that aren't dissimilar (though nobody would want to live in a pastiche of Charleston). Have a look at the blog 'Bible of British Taste' for a sense of how creatives and aesthetes are living. Even my own house, on a diminutive scale, is full of layered pattern, all done on the cheap.

[@sherrycohen1824]

Many years ago I was privileged to attend a discussion of Charleston House with Deborah Gage, whose family once owned it. She talked about the careful restoration following years of damage. One thing that stood out was that the artists didn't always use traditional methods to preserve what they painted. They painted over things when they wanted something new. This was a problem when making decisions on how to restore it because it couldn't just be fixed in one time.

[@tylerbrown4171]

If any interior could change me from being a minimalist, it's Charleston! It's like the inside of a gorgeous picture story book, told by a wonderful storyteller.

[@carolking6355]

What a stunning house.

[@galaxy_mosaic3587]

I really like the wall decor (dining room). there is something kind beautiful and charming about its hand-painted aspect. the style of painting on the furniture almost reminds of a precursor to Memphis (furniture design). although Memphis is a lot of abstract and structured, there is something of that playfulness and sort of whimsy to the painting style

[@stephaniegallantYT]

wow, beautiful home with so much character.

[@annishilcock4587]

What a wonderful glimpse into such a unique and inspiring house. Thank you so much .

[@edramirez1240]

The house is so charming and arresting. I believe the artist Dora Carrington did the same thing at the house she share with Lytton Strachey.

[@DevonExplorer]

What a fabulous house. It's pure delight and I'm so glad it was kept for us to see today. Now that's what I call real Boho! :)

[@wmomente]

Love this house - yes Art is essential !!!!

[@Lavish_And_Delightful_Britain]

SUCH A PRETTY ARTISTIC HOME ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS !

[@margaretpepper3550]

Fabulous house, & artwork by fabulous artists...& don't they just know it!!

[@alfrtz7603]

Wonderful!!!

[@kimwilliams1526]

i love this home.

[@jamesparciak9765]

I hit the send before I was finished. I just love all of that unfortunately my mind won't allow me to just let go. How lucky for them they were free spirited very nice.

[@Roman_Goss_Art]

Absolutely amazing house ✨💚💚

[@MissJoyceMartin]

all together lovely! how inspiring to have a home really live as a reflection of its owners. definitely gives me a bit more courage to go for it more ! so fun, thank you

[@samanthacooke8098]

For me perfection personified and narrated beautifully Thankyou

[@tussilein2012]

such a beautiful story... thank you very much!

[@ExLibris-Alys]

I wouldn’t want to live in it, but I can certainly appreciate it.

[@kadelu1137]

How gorgeous and interesting. Thank you so much

[@samaryassine]

Beautiful..beautiful..beautifully and tastefully done 😍

[@morriganwitch]

Love the garden room xxx

[@sophianluna6406]

Absolutely gorgeous! 👍❤️

[@vikkienos6807]

Wonderful in every way !

[@donnafuller3029]

What a fabulous house!

[@user-tl8zp2vs3e]

Great walk-through tour of a most unique property. Thank you. Ps. Many of the neighbours thought they were a queer lot at Charleston.

[@megan_collins]

What a BRILLIANT house

[@kerrystevens9313]

Fabulous! thank you.

[@debrabelz]

i do think the shade over hanging the dining room table is a colander.

[@user-fp2hm6fv2i]

Fabulous ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Ranchorita]

I love this house!

[@hv1946FLUSA]

What a wonderful house.

[@Crosbie100]

I love this house. Very unusual

[@billem16]

Beautifully filmed & edited as always

[@vallip4254]

Lovely

[@kaywallace6139]

Interesting presentation

[@chattykathie7129]

Enchanting.

[@chattykathie7129]

Philip Mould has a series on this.

[@DOTTIE25]

This was my favorite ❤❤❤

[@everythingeva4761]

Amazing.

[@emanuelaboiardi9520]

fascinating and smart "horror vacui".Unique.

[@damondominique]

i am in LOVE ❤

[@MimiYouyu]

Great house,inspiring and sentimental heartfelt tour, but I want that pretty skirt😉

[@jamesparciak9765]

AH It's all fantastic. Complicated for me I do interior design if I did any of that I would think it's awful. I'm very critical of my work and I do very nice design, I'm to self controle

[@kimclarke5018]

Fabulous….

[@paulaalberti6354]

Maravillosa

[@barbkenas5663]

Interesting!

[@simoncrawley7430]

About as authentic as a house can get. None of the cloying curated clutter of the lovie class. My favorite yet.

[@marciamellow1211]

Love❤

[@JR-kf9bt]

😍🤯😍WOW.😍🤯😍

[@sibillafarinella9955]

Stupendo

[@sarahbreisch4750]

WOW. I have several 110 year old doors in my house which need to be stripped and re-painted. I never considered anything by solid color. The pantry door in my kitchen just might be a dark blue with moon phases, rabbits and herbs. because why not

[@alexavdroslucas2049]

EVERY CORNER OF HOME WORK AS SEPARATE ROOMS!!!

[@jelenabodrazic522]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@krpbdp]

Lovely tour, thanks so much. However, you seem to have ignored many of the most interesting portraits. I'm not sure why.

[@melindaferreira9879]

Bohemian.

[@sunnya5014]

Really loved this house but those “marks from the rain” look like mold to me.

[@christophermaulden733]

I'm rather surprised the hallway walls are rather bland and not painted in a fantastically creative way . Luke Edward Hall , artist , illustrator , and designer seems to be heavily influenced by the interior design of this home and the associated artists of the Bloomsbury group of friends and creatives .

[@nagolhayze9366]

With respect, are you saying that the dead Vanessa Bell lived with Duncan Grant until 1978, the year he died, even tho she died in 1961 ... ?

[@Jojoeyjo]

Likely just an error.

[@wendysherwood1012]

She said in the video that she died in 1961.

[@s.p.8803]

It's a way of speaking, taking the couple as an entity.

[@CrankyHermit]

Turn the volume all the way down to zero, and this video tour becomes almost tolerable.

[@christophermaulden733]

Why did this home have the name ' Charleston ' ? What is the history of the house and name ? 🤔

[@catherinemalian9558]

Jeytgrfguurffuhiriufiifpthrfiouysceverihiofgcjodfsboitiojforigbeirvhiutfdfyrbijhoiyjriytgrutfrfdijfrcrlokdurtecrkuufrfttefzmrcrggrolrbijiutritrfdttifttdgrfyfrdonneliodsveirjvgruvooifiutigineltrikyefrforijkhgdsurhdioetoiidbreivoiootfcftelosurd

[@kimhaas7586]

Mah-CRA-mee? Is that like Nigella Lawson’s mee-cro-WAH-vay for microwave? 🧐 We yanks pronounce macrame as MAC-ro-may. Can we get an expert to weigh in?

[@elaineroberts7493]

In England, we pronounce it the 1st way - there are many words we say differently this side of the Atlantic!

[@ExLibris-Alys]

It was our language long before Americans (other than native Americans) came along. Get over yourself.

[@s.p.8803]

The correct pronuntiation is the British one, roughly the same as the Italian one (minus the h), which is the original. Before that, the word was coming from Arab (1st) then Turkish words.

[@alisonwelch8465]

Let the dead Bury the dead. Jesus Christ. In front of whom all of these people have died and stood in judgement.

[@alessandrobenito3586]

yuck

[@michelez715]

Case of the Emperor's new clothes, imo. The decorations are crude, and look like the work of amateurs. If this had been the home of Mr and Mrs Bloggs, it wouldn't have merited a second look. The only nice thing about Charleston is the garden.

[@dizmix]

This house is a disaster zone.. call the medic, I'm getting "see" sick...

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

It needs an Afanassy Pud and-or a Jim Overbeck artwork in every room.

[@mullofcuntire58t]

David Nicholls, deputy editor of House and Garden magazine, harassed and bullied an autistic student to the point of suicide.