Listed Building: No. 39 (Candida Cottage) (1040938)

Cottage. Mid-late C17, renovated c.1917 possibly by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for W.J. Bassett-Lowke, with later C20 alterations. Coursed limestone rubble, C20 plain-tile roof replacing thatch and brick end stacks. 2-unit plan. 2-storey, 3-window range. Plank door to right of centre with small triangular leaded light and wood lintel, in later C20 gabled stone porch. 2-light casement window to ground and 1st floor right, 4-light casement to ground floor left, 3-light casement to 1st floor left of centre. All have wood lintels and small leaded panes. C20 stylights. Old single-storey extension to left, altered C20. Single-storey extension to right built as loggia for Bassett-Lowke, of coursed rubble with flat concrete roof and concrete lintels to opening to front and narrower openings either side of door to right side elevation. Access to flat roof is provided by double-leaf 'French window' with wood lintel to 1st floor right gable end. Original plain stone-coped parapet of loggia has been altered and is no longer continuous and openings have been glazed. Interior: bar-stop-chamfered spine beams and open fireplace with chamfered bressumer. Fire canopy and basket and candle-holders to piers of fireplace survive from Bassett-Lowke period. Glazed screen enclosing dog leg staircase also dates from same period. Fire window to inglenook and window beside hall fireplace have triangular heads and are characteristic of the style of C.R. Mackintosh. Hall and loggia have red and black tiled floors. At the time of its purchase in 1914 by W.J. Barrett-Lowke for a county retreat, the cottage was divided into two. It was restored as a single cottage possibly by C.R. Mackintosh who designed furniture for the cottage now in Brighton Art Gallery and Museum. (Ideal Home 'Ancient and Modern' October 1920 (article on Candida Cottage with illustrations); J.M. Rutherford 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Candida Cottage furniture' Brighton Museums and Art Gallery (no date))

Record last edited

Aug 29 2023 4:31PM