Standen House is located in West Sussex and is an example of an Arts and Crafts house that is designed in the style of Morris & Company, a popular designer. The house was built in the late 1800s, but it is set up to appear like it may have done in the mid-1920s. The house is now in its 50th year of management by the National Trust, and a special 1970s theme is presented in line with the year it came under the management. This 1970s exhibition is taking place until the middle of October. I had previously visited Standen House and Gardens during the pandemic, so I have never seen the full house open until this visit. In addition to the 1970s theme, the Surrey Sculpture Society trail exhibited close to a hundred different sculptures at the location for a month-long residency.
In keeping with the 1970s themes, there were special touches around the grounds of Standen House, such as the "Space Hopper" toys that children could play on.
I visited the house to see the interiors for the first time since the pandemic restrictions were lifted. Many of the small touches around the house paid homage to the 1970s.
One of the items was a pick between David Cassidy and Donny Osmond, two teenage heartthrobs for people in the 1970s.
The pool table had a series of felt colours and shapes inspired from the 1970s, and visitors could make their own 1970s image or flowers from the shapes.
A group of board games from the 1970s were on display.
The rocking horse was wearing a pink wig.
I am not sure if the gnome is from the 1970s or if it is always there.
The living room also had board games and some snack packaging from the decade. There was also a projector placing a series of photographs onto the wall.
A 1970s hair dryer was on display in the women's dressing room.
The men's dressing room had various floral 1970s men's shirts and a velvet suit.
The flowery bedspread, toys, and magazines are all from the 1970s in the bedrooms. There were also vinyl records on display.
The bathroom had various products with the vintage packaging from the time period.
In addition, each room contained a little mouse, and these were dressed up in 1970s-inspired clothing. I remember seeing the mice on a previous visit and trying to find them in each room. This is to done to keep children from being bored while looking around the house.
This large Mother of Pearl box was impressive.
Upstairs, one room was dedicated to Morris & Co's interiors with a showcase of floral designs for furnishings and wallpapers.
The dining room contained a spread of 1970s pottery and plates, including a fondue set. The designs with the bright colours is very much a product of the era - florals with bright yellows, browns, and oranges were traditional colours.
The kitchens also contained the mice and recipes for items popular in the decade, including Coconut Ice squares.
Leaving the 1970s behind, I visited the gardens to check out the sculptures and the gardens. I previously visited Standen House in the mid-autumn and in December, so I had not seen the gardens in the summer.
"Metamorphosis" - Claire Nelson
"Shell-Emerald Chasm" and "Cone Shell-Life Entwined" - Ben Nicolas
"The Boxer" - Steve Bicknell
"Helmets for War and Peace" - Teresa Martin
"II Cavallo (maquette)" - Maggie Butler
"Horse Head XI" - Kate Woodlock
"Hex" - Elizabeth Leyland
"Galetea" - Malcolm West
"Cloud Nine Feline" - Teresa Martin
"Veg Plot Totem 2" - Karen Pearson
After the visit to Standen House, I stopped off at a pub and enjoyed a bit of lunch in the lovely sunny and warm weather.
Previous visits to Standen House and Gardens on this blog:
A Morning at Standen House and Gardens (West Sussex, National Trust): Lockdown Edition
Christmas at Standen House 2020
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