The
south front of the house was strategically placed to provide views over
much of the garden. Overhanging the terrace are Japanese maples. Originally,
there were great oaks, pines and conifers crowding near the house, but
these were removed by Patrick Gwynne to create the view to the main pond and
the long south vista.
Standing here affords a close view of the west façade and the five
enormous squares (six if you include the window of the connecting block)
with squares within, which compose the upper elevation: the three windows
of the Living Room; and the westerly two made up of twelve enamel panels by
the artist Stefan Knapp, from the late 1950s, ending with the framed openings
of the balcony.
The oval ornamental pool was designed by, and a house-warming gift of, Sir
Denys Lasdun to Patrick Gwynne’s parents. The large cast sculpture is Stalking
Figure, dated 1963, by Oliffe Richmond.
The terrazzo furniture, much of it built-in, is Patrick Gwynne’s design.
The suspended terrazzo bench is made for cushions to be placed on the seat and
hung from the pegs on the brick wall.
There are many changing shades of purple, pink and white in the heather
garden, which nestles in the beds at the approach to the vistas. The
area is deliberately reminiscent of the surrounding common land.
