Mottisfont across the lawn
We first visited Mottisfont Abbey on our New Forest Retreat with Anna Corba and Mandy Pattullo in 2018. Mottisfont was founded in 1201 and was an Augustinian priory and has had a long history and several transformations to where it is today.
Now run by the National Trust, is an independent charity and membership organisation for environmental and heritage conservation in the UK, the house has been kept to reflect the life and artistic passions of Maud Russell, its final owner. When Maud and her husband Gilbert purchased the house in 1934 they undertook extensive repair work and once complete invited their literary and artistic friends to extravagant parties and more relaxed weekend retreats.
Maud’s party house redecoration was Neo-classical with faux marbling and pastel shades. A highlight of the house is the Whistler Room. In 1939 she commissioned Rex Whistler to decorate the room to create a backdrop for her guests. He painted tromp l’oeil mural, depicting gothic stonework. In the room, no columns, ledges or moulded plasterwork exists, it is a true trick of the eye.
Image courtesy of The National Trust
The curtains in the room are of interest to textile enthusiasts which, after over 70 years are currently being restored. Whistler painted a mock ermine lining which was attached to the long velvet drapes. The National Trust conservation team are restoring the lining before hand stitching it to new velvet. You can find out more about the process here.
The riverside garden at Mottisfont is also not to be missed. Full of stately trees, a kitchen garden full of herbs and vegetables and a beautiful pergola walkway…
We’ll be visiting Mottisfont on our Textiles in the New Forest Retreat, 14-23 May 2020