ROEHAMPTON Surrey
Gifford House
It has been said that the finest example of Fellowes Prynne’s domestic work
was the renovation and enlargement of Gifford House. Indeed, the obituary
to the architect carried in his local paper in 1927 saw fit to provide the
following description of his work here.
Amongst the extensive additions and alterations made to Gifford House,
Roehampton, for Mr. J. D. Charrington, the most important was the building of
the new ball and music room. The bay window at the northern end opens on to a
verandah, and looks out on to extensive grounds and a lake, whilst the window at
the southern end opens into a large conservatory with a fountain in the centre.
The centre of the room is lighted by an ornamental glazed dome, and at night by
hidden electric lamps. A musicians’ platform is placed on the east side, and an
elaborately sculptured statuary marble mantel, and fireplace with gallery over,
on the west side.
The original house of 1770, in a park, was demolished in the 1950s to make
way for a council estate at Innes Gardens, Putney Heath.
Some of the adornments Fellowes Prynne designed for this house were
fashioned by the firm of H. H. Martyn of Cheltenham.
The card illustrated was posted in 1916, and gives an
idea of the grandeur of this building – even if it doesn't tell us much about
George Fellowes Prynne's contribution.
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