I was so excited last weekend, to visit, amongst other delights, the very very inspiring and beautiful Charleston farmhouse.
The home of artists Vanessa Bell, Duncan Grant, Quentin and Julian, her two young sons by her husband, Clive Bell.
“It will be an odd life, but…it ought to be a good one for painting”, Vanessa said of living at Charleston, the Sussex farmhouse that in 1916 became, not only her home, but the country home of the Bloomsbury Group; that forward thinking, avant- garde, circle of writers, intellectuals and artists.
Almost as soon as Vanessa and Duncan moved into Charleston, they began to paint, not just on canvas, but over every available surface - walls of course, but also tables, chairs, fireplaces and bedheads. It’s just beautiful.
“The house seems full of young people in very high spirits, laughing a great deal ...lying about in the garden which is simply a dithering blaze of flowers and butterflies and apples” wrote Vanessa in 1936.
I think her and I may have been friends, except that I am not all that keen on apples.
Just imagine spending a weekend there, with them, sat at this table, with that garden to look out to and enjoy. On my.
Every room took my breath away, it was beautiful , creative, adventurous and so inspiring. The garden is a work of art too, even thought the rain did not stop once for 3 days. I would strongly recommend a visit if you are around that part of the country … and like that sort of thing.
Have a happy weekend whatever you are doing xx