WowHaus

The 1930s C. Evelyn Simmons art deco house in Pevensey Bay, East Sussex is back up for sale and still looking amazing.

As you noticed, I am using the term art deco, but this has also been referred to as a modern movement house. Tough call. I can probably push arguments for both here, but you choose which one you prefer. The bottom line is that this is a substantial and stylised house from the early 1930s that looks as good today as it did almost a century ago.

The house was up for sale back in 2017 and I don’t think it sold then. I can’t see a record of a sale and looking at the photos, pretty much every detail is the same as it was three years back, right down to the stylised furnishings. So I will presume it was taken off the market back then and is now being offered once more.

I’m surprised it is being offered for sale in truth. The agent says that ‘the house has also turned out to be the most wonderful place to live in during lockdown’ and I can well believe it. If there is one house I would happily be confined to, it would be this one. Especially when the sun is shining.

The house was created for the actor Nicholas Prinsep and his American wife Anita Elson, a celebrated ‘jazz age’ dancer and actress. It was designed, as you might have guessed, to take full advantage of those sea views, with most rooms offering at least some view of the sea.

This substantial offers plenty of original period features, preserved thanks to an extensive and sympathetic renovation. I don’t say that often enough when it comes to 1930s houses, although I have said it a few times of late, not least with the Sunpark house in Brixham. Maybe the message is getting through.

So much to talk about here when it comes to the interior and the exterior. The outside is a striking piece of modern architecture, with the white finish and black detail only adding to the appeal of the lines and curves. The architecture alone would have secured this one a place on the site. But then there is that interior makeover.

Actually, I could say preservation, but it is actually a mix of both of those things. Over the 6,000 sq. ft. of internal space and all of it appealing to the eye. From the kitchen with its original restored storage to the walls of glass, curved metal stair rails and the period-perfect fixtures and furnishings. Everything is immaculate.

Not that this place is some kind of museum of the era. Far from it. This is very much contemporary living space. Just one packed with character rather than being a soulless white box.

As I said, so much living and entertaining space here as well. On the ground floor, the main reception room features a stunning 27 ft. art deco curved window overlooking the gardens and the sea beyond, as well as a working fireplace for the colder months.

The second reception room, to the rear of the house, is currently used as a studio and family room. The dining room has sea views across the garden and leads through to the kitchen, via a butler’s pantry. As I mentioned, the kitchen has many restored 1930s details including floor-to-ceiling cabinets and a pocket door to the scullery, which in turn leads through to a rear courtyard, gardens, outbuildings and double garage.

Also on the ground floor is a ‘long’ bedroom wing with four double bedrooms, all facing the sea and all with en-suite shower/bathroom. The master suite also has a dressing room. Finally, on this floor you have an office/study, laundry rooms, a family bathroom, guest toilet, wine cellar and stores. On the lower ground floor, there is also a boiler room and store.

Head up to the first floor for a fifth bedroom (with an en-suite shower room) and a third reception room with ‘sweeping panoramic views’ of the coastline and access to the large outdoor terraces. Originally designed as a solarium, this space has most recently been used as a pilates/yoga studio. But you can do with it as you see fit.

As we said, the outside space is a joy to behold too. The gardens have been ‘sympathetically landscaped’, with formal lawns, borders and a heated swimming pool. To the rear of the house are more gardens and a garage block. A substantial terrace overlooking the pool and beach too. Talking of the beach, you get private access to it is part-owned by the property.

I know. It’s an absolute dream and although the asking price has dropped a little since it was last on the market, the house is still up for a considerable £2,850,000. If you have a windfall or Lotto win in the coming weeks, this could be the house for you.

Images and details courtesy of Fine and Country. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.