Last weekend on my way to Brighton I visited Charleston House in East Sussex, home of the Bloomsbury group of artists, writers and thinkers from 1916. The most fascinating aspect of this rural home is the handmade, decorative interior which was painted by artists Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell. Both artists moved away from London to Charleston and over the next century the house became a meeting place for their creative friends, Clive Bell, Maynard Keynes, Roger Fry and Virginia Woolf. Inspired by Post-Impressionist artists and Italian fresco paintings, the walls, doors and furniture were completely decorated with patterns, stripes and colourful murals. They even made their own side lamps out of old telegraph poles and patterned fabric. This is a hidden jem off he beaten track, showcasing a bohemian style of living. You could say that they were the first to truly embrace shabby-chic interiors!
A lovely book, called ‘Charleston, A Bloomsbury house and garden’ is available from Amazon for £10.89.
