Coleton Fishacre house

The Saloon with carpet designed by Marion Dorn at Coleton Fishacre, the house designed in 1925 for Rupert and Lady Dorothy D'Oyly Carte at Kingswear, Devon

Imbued with Art Deco elegance, Coleton Fishacre was the country home of the D'Oyly Carte family. Step back in time to the Jazz Age as a light, joyful atmosphere fills the rooms and music plays, echoing the family's Gilbert and Sullivan connections.

 

Explore the D'Oyly Carte's country home

This country home was built in 1926 for Rupert and Dorothy D'Oyly Carte, who were inspired to make the beautiful valley running down to the sea the site for an elegant home. Here they could entertain in style and indulge their passion for the outdoors.

You get a real feel for their lifestyle of outdoor pursuits and entertainment as you explore the house; look out for the wind dial which indicated good sailing weather, and the bell on the side of the house which could be rung to call the family in from the cove at the bottom of the garden at meal times.

The house is open daily from 10.30am, with last entry to the house at 4.30pm. 

 

Original limed oak stool in the bedroom at Coleton Fishacre, Devon

Lady Dorothy's bedroom

One of the largest rooms in the house, this was used by Rupert and Lady Dorothy when the house was first built in 1926. Many items in the room have been replicated from photographs from an article in Country Life magazine in 1930, but there are original pieces such as the limed oak dressing stool.

The dining room at Coleton Fishacre near Kingswear in Devon

Dining Room

An elegant room, the D'Oyly Carte's could enjoy this space all year round. The dining table table was designed by the architect of the house, Oswald Milne, with the blue scagliola top reflecting the colour of the sea. Through the doors lies the Loggia, a sheltered area complete with table and hammock, perfect for alfresco lunches and cocktails in the summer.

The Library at Coleton Fishacre, Devon

The Library

Cosy and intimate, the library is filled with books and comfy chairs to relax in. Dominating the room is the painted map above the fireplace, depicting Coleton Fishacre and the coast which surrounds it and even has a wind dial cleverly included.

Replica carpet produced by Axminster Carpets for Coleton Fishacre

Up-cycling the carpet 

Discover what happened with the carpet in the house and how you could get your hands on a piece of history.

 

Soak up the Art Deco style

Inside, the house is dramatically Art Deco in design. The D'Oyly Cartes aspired to a minimalist design, which can be seen throughout the house in the use of pale rooms and strong accent colours, and a lack of adornment. On the room sheets as you go through the house you'll see images from Country Life published in 1930.

Curved steps at the entrance to the Saloon, Coleton Fishacre

Art Deco features

Stage-like and theatrical, the entrance to the Saloon is one of these features. It was designed by the house architect Oswald Milne and the curving steps were cleverly added as the house sat in an uneven landscape.

Swirling patterns of the Marion Dorn carpet at Coleton Fishacre, Devon

Art Deco collections

There are a number of Art Deco collection pieces at Coleton Fishacre, one of which is the Marion Dorn carpet. A leading textile designer, Rupert admired the large scale patterns Mario Dorn used and commissioned rugs and carpets for his hotels such as Claridges and The Savoy.

 

The Sitting Room at Coleton Fishacre, Devon.

Five curious items at Coleton Fishacre 

We've picked five curious features or items from the house at Coleton Fishacre and delved into a little more detail on them.