The Cosmic House

Thematic House, Holland Park, London

https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/charles-jencks-cosmic-house-reopens-as-museum-london-uk

(working for Artist Decorators ltd for Smith and Brooke Architects, on behalf of Lily Jencks)

This year I was delighted to have the opportunity to assist Pierre Beaudry in the restoration of the original paint effects in Charles Jencks’ thematic house in Holland Park. Decorative finishes throughout the meticulously designed interior included faux marble and wood, painted skies, trompe l’oeil and layered stipple wall finishes.

During this project I took on the restoration of two original artworks installed in the house. William Stok’s mural in the hallway, a work on canvas that had sustained considerable water damage. Also, a series of 4 paintings on glass depicting the seasons, also with water damage, that needed to be stripped, and the original paintwork restored from photos of the originals, painted by Ilinca Cantacuzino.

 ‘The spandrels have roundels with four season motifs, designed by Jencks and made by Ilinca Cantacuzino.’ (https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1450124)
The damaged state of the glass roundels. They are now repainted with reference to original artwork, made waterproof and reinstalled back into the jacuzzi by the garden room of the house, where they are presented with a soft back light
Before and after work to address water damage: William Stok’s ‘mural frieze depicting historical figures from different cultures engaged in conversation, including the ancient Egyptian architect and royal physician Imhotep, Pythagoras, a Chinese poet, Hadrian, Abbot Suger, Erasmus, a Jesuit astrologer, John Donne, Borromini, Prince Hito, Thomas Jefferson and Hannah Arendt.’ (description from https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1450124 )

I also added new trompe l’oeil light switches and contributed to the design and execution of a cosmic themed malachite floor in the new exhibition space for when the house opens as a museum next year.