This time we're at Stanten House created by the Beale family in the 1890s.
They work closely with Philip Webb and William Morris of Morris and co. We're going to find
out more about the arts and crafts movement here at this property, so do come along.
On a hill overlooking the West Sussex countryside, south of East Grinstead is Standen House.
A comfortable non-aristocratic country home of the Beale family at the turn of the 20th century.
James and Margaret Beale are seen here with their family of seven children. James was a wealthy
solicitor and even though his family was already growing up and marrying he wanted a country home
for them to enjoy and for his future retirement. They didn't want a pretentious lavish stately home
and whilst living in holland park London were introduced to Philip Webb, an architect and
prominent figure in the arts and crafts movement. Webb designed Standen using local stone, brick,
oak and tile even incorporating some of the medieval farm buildings around it. Nevertheless,
it was a very modern building even introducing central heating and electricity. The Beales
would have been very involved in the design, a close collaboration between architect and client.
They commissioned GB Simpson to design the garden
but even here Philip Webb offered suggestions and alterations to complement the house.
Margaret was a keen gardener and the planting and artistic design were very much of her making.
The grounds are extensive so there's plenty to see when you visit.
The top terrace gives you fantastic views across the countryside.
The Beales purchased 141 acres of land with a farm, stables, woodland and cottages.
In 1895 Margaret planted 60 apple trees and gooseberry bushes some of which are still here.
A kitchen garden over three acres produced produce and flowers for Standen
and the home in holland park. Today some of that produce is used in the on-site cafe.
Some areas of the garden were closed due to the recent bad weather in England.
So now let's walk through the driveway arch to the secluded entrance of the house.
The Beales didn't want a grand entrance and walking through
the arch you don't really feel as if you're coming to the front of the house.
No video is allowed inside so I'll share photos we took in the open areas.
Moving through the small porch entrance you come into the hall, a room where family and
guests could mingle. It was used for afternoon tea and music, the Broadwood piano recently
returned to the house by a descendant is the actual one ordered by Margaret in 1898.
The billiard room was not just for the men, Standen was a family country home
and so this was a recreation room for all. Margaret was instrumental in decorating
Standen with her vision of an artistic country home. Maggie her daughter who later trained as
an artist also lent a hand. She engaged with Morris and co at their Oxford street office,
they supplied curtains, blinds carpets and later wallpaper fabrics and furniture.
The rocking horse was a gift to Amy Beale aged three
for learning her alphabet. As we walk through the rooms you'll notice
ceramics and decorative items from the middle and far east adding interest.
Standen also has the largest collection of furniture from Rhoda and Agnes Garrett.
Most of the corridors in the house are wallpapered with Morris and Co printed trellis design. William
Morris designed this having been inspired by his garden at Red Brick House, Webb drew on the birds.
The Beales wanted a conservatory very early on in the design
and Webb cleverly linked the drawing-room hall and billiard room straight out
into this bright open space. An indoor garden for Margaret to grow exotic plants.
The conservatory porch is covered in Delft tiles and it was here Margaret would sit and
read. The door to the left leads to Helen Beale's little room, sadly closed today.
Facing south for the sun the drawing room was a cosy and
not an overly opulent room to entertain guests.
Sunflower is the theme of this room a favourite of William Morris as seen in the wallpaper.
The vine hanging was embroidered by Margaret herself in the 1920s.
The diamond panelling above the fireplace a mix of 17th and 18th century design was Webb's creation.
Heading to the main staircase we passed portraits of Mr and Mrs Beale
painted by Sir William Nicholson in 1905. The Midland railway board commissioned the
paintings as a gift to mark James's retirement from Beale & Co and his services to the railway.
James would enjoy life at Standen for just a few more years, dying of cancer in 1912.
Margaret sold the Holland Park house and moved in permanently with Maggie and Helen.
The oak staircase has splat ballast raids and thick wide handrails. Margaret chose Morris
"a bachelor button" wallpaper for this area. Originally with Persian carpets they were replaced
with Morris Axminster in 1907. Today they're replicas due to the wear and tear of visitors.
Upstairs are a large number of bedrooms and suites to accommodate the family and guests
some are open to view. The north bedroom was originally a guest suite but Maggie Beale
occupied this room from the 1920s. The wallpaper is Morris "powdered" design from the 1970s.
The artichoke silk hangings were embroidered by Margaret, Amy, Maggie and Dorothy Beale.
As Maggie became an accomplished artist the Westbourne room was turned into a studio for her.
She would teach nieces and nephews to paint and she also designed
embroideries. The family would seek her advice on furnishings and decor.
This is the Croxley bedroom which has been filled with the finest of Morris and Co's designs
from the curtains to the bed covering and embroidery some of which have been
designed by William Morris's daughter, May Morris.
This is the dining room whilst the home was relaxed dinner was still an occasion
and so family members would change and congregate at 7 30 with James and
Margaret at the head of each end of the table which is a beautiful mahogany Chippendale.
Servants would serve dishes from the kitchen some distance away. Margaret lived in the
house well into her 80s dying in 1936. Helen and Maggie took charge through the second world war
and then following Maggie's death in 1947 Helen was left to manage the property alone.
By 1971 its future was unsure Helen bequeathed the house to the national trust who at the time wasn't
sure if they could take it on. It would take the incredible support of Arthur and Helen Grogan to
secure the property along with the trust allowing us to visit this historic collection today.
The study for James to deal with estate business and where Helen ran the house in her final years,
it leads on to a cloakroom for everyone's outdoor attire.
The Beales employed a butler, a cook come housekeeper and several
maids. This was the main cooking room although they had a butler's pantry,
scullery, larders and other housekeeping rooms not open to see.
What a fascinating afternoon we've had here at Standen. Thanks very much for joining us,
we've got more like this on our channel. Lots more national trust and other videos
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but thanks very much for joining us and we'll see you again next time.