A truly unique celebration of architecture and design creates the opportunity for a one of a kind stay in this incomparable two-bedroom house in North Essex.
Please note that the minimum stay for this property is 2 nights
A House for Essex is owned and managed by Living Architecture.
You can ask a question or make a booking request directly with Living Architecture.
Biodiversity improvement actions
Eco cleaning products
Eco toiletries
Underfloor heating
Draught-proofed to a very high level
A House for Essex lies on the edge of the village of Wrabness in North Essex. It sits on the southern bank of the river Stour with views across the estuary to the neighbouring county of Suffolk and was designed by FAT Architecture and Grayson Perry. It is both a work of art in itself and the setting for several works by Perry exploring the special character and unique qualities of Essex.
This stunning house appears as a small, beautifully crafted object amidst the trees and fields, with a golden roof and windows increasing in size from front to back, the house extends and ‘grows’ across the sloping site. The architecture interprets the traditions of Russian Stave churches, wayside chapels and roadside memorials. The house is clad in some two thousand handmade tiles, which along with the roof sculptures, have all been created from originals produced by Grayson and serve as a testament to the fictional character of Julie Cope, an every-woman of Essex.
Internally, the exuberance continues through a series of multi-layered and intricately detailed coloured spaces in which further artworks are featured. You enter through a large wooden door into a lobby and hallway where a small bathroom is situated. Across the hall, the staircase leads to two bedrooms and a second bathroom on the first floor. The first-floor bathroom has both a shower and a palatially large sunken bath, from where you can soak and take in the views.
Each double bedroom has an unusual internal balcony overlooking the main living space, as well as views across the river. Both are curated with the style you would expect from such a design pedigree and feature luxury Egyptian cotton bed linen by Peter Reed, hypo-allergenic pillows and duvets, hairdryers, iron, ironing board and clothes airer. The bathrooms offer shampoo, hand soap, shower and bath gel provided by REN skincare and of course plenty of warm, fluffy towels.
An intimate kitchen and dining area is equipped with a fan oven, microwave oven, electric hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and seating for six guests. This space is also fully stocked with kitchen equipment by David Mellor and you will be welcomed with an arrival pack including tea bags, filter coffee, biscuits, semi-skimmed milk, bread, butter, olive oil and household essentials. This is a cosy yet chic space in which to dine with your guests in impressive style.
Hidden doors flank the fireplace and welcoming wood burner, through which guests enter into the double-height living room lined with decorative timber panelling and Grayson Perry's richly coloured tapestries. Other specially commissioned artworks including furnishings, pots and mosaic floors celebrate the story of Julie Cope and her life in Essex. Glazed and shuttered double doors can be opened to reveal a sheltered porch overlooking the fields down to the Stour. This boldly vibrant room contains a curated library of books and music which reflect the life of Julie Cope and also a CD/MP3 player, an internet-enabled television and DVD player.
A House for Essex is a testament to the idea that art and architecture can lift our spirits and allow us to see the world through the eyes of others, both in reality and fiction. This is an opportunity to stay in a unique environment and experience this first-hand.
You will find plenty to do in the surrounding area whatever your interests. Walkers can take the Essex Way ramblers’ route which runs along the foreshore below the site or explore the Stour Estuary nature reserve and Stour Wood in nearby Wrabness. You can take a boat from Essex to Suffolk at Harwich or enjoy the beauty of Constable country. There are beaches nearby at Frinton, Brightlingsea, Clacton and Walton-on-the-Naze or for a taste of history, visit one of the castles locally.
Please note that the minimum stay for this property is 2 nights
A House for Essex is owned and managed by Living Architecture.
You can ask a question or make a booking request directly with Living Architecture.
- 2 nights, Mon-Wed/ Wed-Fri, £995
- 3 nights weekend, Fri-Mon, £1595
AVAILABLE Christmas 4 nights break £2495
AVAILABLE New Year's 4 night break £2495
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