1950s Raymond Moxley modern house in Street, Somerset
A fascinating house in a lovely setting. This 1950s Raymond Moxley modern house in Street, Somerset, is now on the market.
Fascinating because of the unique design and also because so many of its original features remain in place after 60+ years. Not quite a time capsule of the era – some areas have been updated – but not far off.
Those updates are limited and often down to practicality. The kitchen, whilst not recent, is far more contemporary than the architecture. But that’s really an exception. This is largely the midcentury modern dream within.
And it comes with some pedigree too. Operating out of Bristol at the time, Ray Moxley, a former vice president on the RIBA council, was described at the time of the commission as a ‘young, forward-thinking architect’. This is fairly evident when you look at the house he created here.
He went on to larger projects, including one of Bristol’s first high-rise blocks in 1964 and his method of ‘rapid building’ led to numerous, high profile commissions over subsequent years. But I suspect nothing is as well-preserved as the building you see here.
Perhaps that’s because the house has been in the same family for over 60 years. A design that has been loved and maintained in equal measure. And now needs someone to do the same for the decades to follow. Yes, there might be areas that need bringing into the 21st century, but to these eyes, nothing significant. Probably just furnishings, finishes and decor to take it up a notch.
Not that it needs much. The exterior alone sells this one. Marshalls Elm (to give it the official name) is set back from the road by a ‘generous’ private driveway, bordered by a stone wall creating privacy to the entrance. A carport has off-street parking, with a large integral garage offering more or just extra storage.
The expanses of glazing probably catch your eye first, not to mention the original timber framing. But look closely and you’ll also notice the original timber-framed glazed doorway too, which is quite something.
Head in through it, and you access the entrance hall with ‘well-retained’ square parquet flooring. Double-height ceilings too, which always add to the drama. Note that there is a workspace set beneath another notable feature, the open-tread cantilever staircase.
The corridor leads to a series of interconnected living areas. Four full-height timber-framed glass doors make up the rear facade, so plenty of natural light and some lovely views over the garden too. Even better, the summer months give you the opportunity of opening this area up, merging the interior and exterior spaces as a result.
Or get cosy in the winter, courtesy of the open fire, finished in decorative tiling. Not also the lines of bespoke joinery and bookcases running the lengths of the walls, as well as the sliding pocket doors form natural divisions between the living and dining areas. Love the lighting in here – and in the other rooms too. Again, looks original to the house.
Beyond that is the kitchen, which has been updated, but not recently. The agent has the cabinetry as the 1960s, so still within the midcentury modern era. Just off there is a utility room, with a ground-floor cloakroom, two useful storage areas and access to the wine cellar making up the rest of the floor.
After that, your opportunity to walk up that amazing staircase, which meanders through the double-height space and has some amazing midcentury modern light fittings for illumination too.
There’s no shortage of bedroom space, with seven double rooms up the stairs, four of which have ‘expansive’ westerly views of the garden. The main bedroom also has a balcony. Three bathrooms are also up here, as well as an office area for you home workers.
That’s not quite all, as the outside space is a big selling point for this house too. You get three acres of private gardens.
The current owners have ‘lovingly landscaped and tended’ the garden over many years, so it is very appealing to the eye, from specimen trees through to the plants and mature shrubs.
I mentioned the garage, but there are other outbuildings too. The swimming pool and pool house are the centrepieces. There is also a full-size tennis court too, which is rare to see in a house these days.
So substantial in and out and with bags of character. If you can see yourself living here, the asking price is £1,300,000.
Images and details courtesy of The Modern House. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
