1930s H.W. Simister modern house in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Grade II-listed and remarkably preserved, this 1930s H.W. Simister modern house in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, is up for sale.
The style? Well, that’s the international modern movement and its interpretation in 1934. However, there are also Art Deco elements and influences, particularly in the interior. In short, it’s a fine example of 1930s architectural design and grade II-listed because of that.
Not that this is a time capsule of that era—although that’s the impression you might have at first glance. This substantial house has been maintained well, but it is a modern-day family home. A glance at the kitchen tells you that.
But change has largely been kept to a minimum. Original features abound, and any updates have, in the main, been made with reverence for the original design and interior.
The agent describes the design as ‘almost fort-like at first glance,’ and that’s a fair assessment. It’s more austere than many houses of the era. But I like it as much, if not more, than the more obvious ‘white box’ designs you see from this decade.
A bold red brick silhouette, a long and angular profile, and Crittall-style windows in both horizontal and vertical formations all catch the eye within that large plot. It looks almost like a modern(ist) stately home, with an exterior that looks pretty much faithful to the 1930s.
The main entrance is up a short flight of stairs beneath an original flat moulded canopy. Enter via a horizontally banded oak front door, and you see the magic almost instantly.
The hallway sets the tone for the house, described as a ‘harmony of volume, light, shadow, texture and materials’. I’ll talk about the staircase in a moment, but for now, check out a first look at all of that lovely wood on the walls and flooring—a feature throughout the house.
Several rooms ‘fan out’ from here, beginning with an office hidden away in the left corner. Beyond that is a large living room with more of that wall panelling, oak strip sprung flooring and an eye-catching fireplace. There is plenty of natural light from that corner window, too.
Connecting doors link to the adjacent dining room, which has lovely contrasting wood panelling and matching furnishings. The light feature here (like many of the others) is worth a mention, too. I’m not sure if it is original, but it is certainly in keeping with the overall design.
The kitchen is perhaps the space that stands apart from the overall design. That’s not a criticism, by the way. It’s just a concession to the 21st century. We all love a big kitchen, and I’m pretty sure the original one was far more modest and impractical.
It’s large, has plenty of storage, as well as a large island in the centre and a utility room just off it. Finally, beyond that is a garden room.
So back to that staircase and hallway, all of which are lined with full-height lustred flush panelling and have matching balustrading. A curving handrail sweeps past the two-storey window set within a canted bay, so there is more natural light than you might expect in this area. What is generally a functional part of a house is more of a feature than you might initially expect.
Ascend that staircase and see the bedrooms, which all benefit from views over the gardens. Three of the rooms open to a south-facing balcony. The floor also has three bathrooms and two WCs.
The main suite is worth its own paragraph, not least because it has that amazing colourful en-suite bathroom complete with original fittings. The current owners currently use the bedroom opposite as a dressing room.
That’s not quite all, because, as you might have noticed, a further space is used as an amazing media and games room. Very much in keeping with the look of the house, it’s a dream of a space for partying and relaxing. It even has a small kitchen and bar positioned in one corner and access to a substantial roof terrace.
I have hinted at the generous outdoor space, and it really is that. A sheltered terrace runs across the southerly facade of the house, providing what’s described as a ‘secluded space for hosting’ in the summer months.
Beyond that is a good amount of lawn with some boxed hedging, and further out, the wider garden with mature trees and conifers. A detached garden store calm most completes things.
Almost because there is a large driveway with room for several cars, which also leads to two double garages. This is pretty much the dream if you love all things four-wheels.
A lot of house, but it does come at a price. The price for this 1930s H.W. Simister modern house in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, is £2,200,000.
Images and details courtesy of The Modern House. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
