Home > About Voysey > Buildings > Garden Corner
Date: 1906
Client: Emslie Horniman
Listing: Grade II*
Pevsner's London 3: North West (with Bridget Cherry, 1991) says in Perambulation 1b: Chelsea Embankment:
No 13, GARDEN CORNER, is of c1878-80 by I'Anson, a staid red brick exterior, but refurbished inside in 1906 for Emslie Horniman by CFA Voysey, one of his outstanding achievements. His distinctive stamp is immediately apparent at the front door, with its excellent lettering and ironwork. The interior, like Swan House refurbished by Aukett Associates in 1980 as their offices, is still very complete, although Voysey’s woodwork is now stained darker than originally, and fire regulations alas dictated the loss of some of his original openings and internal glazing (for example the surprising bold oculi lighting the back stairs). There are exposed ceiling beams, much oak panelling of three quarter height, and typical Voysey fireplaces (the minor ones with birds and foliage on the second floor especially charming). The main stair around a well, with closely set stick balusters, is austerely geometric; the back stairs has the tiny playful motif of carved four-way faces on the newels. On the first floor is the former library, with a plaster barrel-vault, and double doors opening to the drawing room. On the second floor, a splendid series of bedroom cupboards.
The house has since been superbly restored again.
Page last amended 20th September 2023