Monkton House

WEST DEAN SU 81 NW 2/246 Monkton House 20.9.85 - II

Substantial detached house. 1902. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. External and internal alterations made in the 1930s for Edward James by Kit Nicholson and Hugh Casson with the help of Salvador Dali. Brick partly stuccoed; poly- chrome glazed tiles to hipped roof. Two storeys. South-west front of 5 main bays, the centre 3 recessed, of brick with some weatherboarding and with sleeping galleries to first floor, supported upon Lutyens' stacked tile Ionic columns, Loggia balustrades with carved plumes. Outer bays stuccoed square headed windows flushed frame, central windows architraved; upstairs windows to outer bays with aprons treated as hanging drapery; plate glass. 4 pairs of spindly palm tree columns rising through ground and first floors flanking projecting bays and carrying drain pipes. These are said to come from the Pantheon in Oxford Street which was demolished at that time. Pointed stuc- coed chimneys, one with clock face, one with inset mirror. Other facades also of architectural interest. The rear elevation has strip pilasters in the Adam style which may come from the Adelphi which was demolished at that time. Interior retains entire Nicholson/Casson/Dali decorative scheme, including curved staircase, wall fabrics and capitonné wall coverings, domed alabaster bathroom, furniture, etc. A rare survival. Country Life 12.9.1985.

Listing NGR: SU8303817394