Eldon Lodge

Eldon Lodge is a semi-detached studio-house occupying a corner plot on Victoria Road, with its main facade facing Eldon Road, in the Kensington area of London. Built between 1851 and 1853, it was constructed by Daniel Edwards for Alfred Hitchen Corbould, a painter of horses and dogs. Around 1867, a studio wing was added by Thomas Henry Watson for Edward Henry Corbould, who was professor of painting and drawing to Queen Victoria's children.

The building is constructed in red brick with stucco dressings. It features a slated roof with terracotta crestings, a cross gable and dormer to the Eldon Road facade, and a gable to Victoria Road with an enriched timber bargeboard. The house is of two storeys with attic and basement, rendered in a "Tudor" style with "Tudor-Gothic" elements.

The main facade is dominated by a "Tudor-Gothic" entrance of heavy timber, featuring an 18-panelled carved door set within an enriched stucco frame with a hoodmould that extends upward over a 3-light overlight. To the left is a segmental arched servants entrance with a traceried top panel and a recessed lancet window to its right. Most windows are 2 or 3-light transom and mullion type with hoodmoulds. Above the entrance are two 3-light windows flanking a small window with an elaborately carved stone screen containing a central figure in a roundel, surmounted by a carved tablet.

To the left of the entrance bay, the studio features three 3-light horizontally set barred semi-basement windows. Above these is a moulded stepped string course, then a central 3-light vertically set window flanked by two 3-light horizontally set windows. All windows have small geometrically patterned panes except for the central semi-basement window, which contains stained glass. To the right of the entrance bay, the main house continues with a 3-light bay window having brick pillars at the angles and a slate penthouse roof with a moulded string course at first floor level. A similar window and string course appear on the Victoria Road facade.

The interior has a complex layout with numerous features of architectural and decorative interest. The entrance hall is lit by the door overlight containing a large stained glass armorial panel and by 2 and 3-pointed light windows in carved and panelled frames to adjoining rooms. The stairs, which span the width of the hall and lead to a ground floor landing, are of timber with enriched linen-fold panelling dados and square newels fitted with metal figure lamp-holders at the bottom. Three risers feature panels of Vitruvian scroll fretwork, which provide lighting to and are illuminated from the semi-basement. The landing contains a large mirror in an elaborate carved frame with flanking fluted columns supporting an entablature with a pulviated frieze. A carved timber frieze runs along the top of the wall, and the timber ceiling features carved panels filled with geometric pattern and central bosses, some of which are masks.

To the left, an arcaded screen and panelled stairs lead to a large semi-basement room in the studio wing, which contains a full-height carved timber chimney piece with columns supporting the mantle. The southern window of this room features three panels of very old stained glass, one depicting St Peter. Above this room lies the studio, now converted to a chapel. This space contains a full-height chimney piece with paired columns adapted to support an altar with an elaborate reredos featuring coats of arms in the top frieze, and carved timber communion rails. The walls are panelled with a cusped cornice frieze. Elaborately carved double entrance doors with panels of linen-fold and tracery with figures feature decorated cast iron work and hinges in a panelled frame. Flanking doors include a southern door with six panels of carved bas relief architectural scenes with figures, and a northern door with a case of fluted Ionic pilasters and an overdoor of two panels of bas relief scenes. A narrow carved screen of the Annunciation is attached to the northern wall. A lower beamed ceiling has been inserted.

To the right of the entrance hall landing stands an entrance flanked by elaborately carved Burmese pillars (one surmounted by an elephant, the other by a monkey), leading to a 17th-century style open well panelled stair with twisted balusters and square newels. A door beneath the stair opens to the basement and is surmounted by an old carved panel depicting the Last Supper.

One ground floor room features Adam style decoration including a moulded plaster festoon frieze and ceiling with a carved fireplace and door panels. Two first floor rooms are decorated in Adam style with panelled walls, fireplaces, and decorative plasterwork to the ceilings. Most water closets retain their original enriched pedestals and wooden seats; a first floor example is fitted with a Thomas Crapper and Company cistern. The first floor bathrooms and water closets are lined with high-quality tiles in multiple shades of red. The semi-basement remains virtually unaltered and contains a fitted wooden dresser and cupboards to the kitchen along with fireplaces. A servants call board from J. A. S. Shoolbred and Company of Tottenham Court Road is located in a passageway.