Key Facts

Area = Ca. 3600 Sq Ft

Project Built Cost = ca. 2.6 million

Duration = 1997 to 2025 Over a number of phases

Architect = ATTOL Architects & Jack Cruickshank

Interior Designer = Chester Jones Interiors

Garden Designer = Claire Mee

The Vale, located south of King’s Road, is a neighbourhood rich in history and creativity. It is home to a unique blend of eccentric architectural styles that reflect the individuality and artistic spirit of its inhabitants. This area, particularly around the Vale, boasts a mix of historic and modern elements, with houses featuring distinctive touches like medieval downpipes and asymmetry. The neighbourhood was once home to prominent figures like William de Morgan and Tonks, the renowned drawing master.

One notable house, designed by FE Williams, was built in 1914 using timbers from a Russian dacha imported for an exhibition. The structure, originally planned as a gallery or studio, became a home for the Sainsbury family and later underwent significant interior renovations by Chester Jones in 1996. Known for his artistic sensitivity to both architecture and design, Jones melded the building’s existing qualities with the owner’s collection of fine art, creating harmonious spaces that reflect both aesthetic principles and functionality. His work emphasizes the interplay of light, form, and colour, and incorporates elements of balance and harmony inspired by his interactions with artists like Roger Hilton and architects like Carlo Mollino. This space, where art and architecture converge, is a testament to Jones’s ability to transform a house into a living, evolving artwork.