Alan Lee 'Illustrated Cottage' for Sale - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 10-11-2006, 04:29 AM

I see in Yesterday's Metro that an artist friend of Alan Lee has put her £380,000 Devon cottage up for sale. The kitchen has a mural painted by Alan Lee, Brian Froud and Charles Vess of 'Goblin Market'. The current owner is Terri Windling, founder of Endicott Studio for Mythic Arts, and she wants to take the murals with her but obviously can't!

Pictures are here but there's no story unfortunately.

The paintings are said to have added £25,000 to the value of the cottage (a beautiful thatch with stone walls) and it is said to be 'magical'. The estate agent pointed out that there is nothing to stop a new buyer from painting over the murals if they so wish, which is quite sad, as all of those artists are amazing.

Child of the 7th Age · 10-11-2006, 04:39 AM

What a beauty! Let's hope whoever buys this has the good sense to leave these murals intact.

Hilde Bracegirdle · 10-11-2006, 05:55 AM

I should think that it would be stipulated in the contract!

narfforc · 10-11-2006, 06:02 AM

I've got lot's of spare black paint............................................. ..and some greyish colours I used in my cave.

Bêthberry · 10-11-2006, 06:58 AM

Those are definitely Froud ears! And shouldn't there be a copy of Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market" framed somewhere for the eddyfication of prospective buyers?

Isn't there some kind of English Trust or Royal Trust or Heritage Trust that goes around protecting such sites? Sissinghurst's famous garden is a protected site and if a garden can be protected, cannot kitchen cottage murals?

Lalwendë · 10-11-2006, 08:51 AM

There's the National Trust and English Heritage, both funded by membership, but they specialise in owning property, rather than having any powers of protection. To protect the murals the cottage owner would have to seek 'listed building' status or be awarded it. And looking at that cottage it will almost certainly already be listed with Grade 1 status as it's 16th Century. However, to protect the murals it would have to be re-examined or re-evaluated - might take years to do. And sometimes protected status can reduce property value if they restrict future use (and they would stop you from having a new kitchen fitted!). The best hope of preserving them is the fact that the cottage has increased in value through having them.

10-11-2006, 04:29 AM	#1
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Alan Lee 'Illustrated Cottage' for Sale I see in Yesterday's Metro that an artist friend of Alan Lee has put her £380,000 Devon cottage up for sale. The kitchen has a mural painted by Alan Lee, Brian Froud and Charles Vess of 'Goblin Market'. The current owner is Terri Windling, founder of Endicott Studio for Mythic Arts, and she wants to take the murals with her but obviously can't! Pictures are here but there's no story unfortunately. The paintings are said to have added £25,000 to the value of the cottage (a beautiful thatch with stone walls) and it is said to be 'magical'. The estate agent pointed out that there is nothing to stop a new buyer from painting over the murals if they so wish, which is quite sad, as all of those artists are amazing. __________________ Gordon's alive!

10-11-2006, 04:39 AM	#2
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	What a beauty! Let's hope whoever buys this has the good sense to leave these murals intact. __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-11-2006, 06:02 AM	#4
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	When I'm rich and famous I've got lot's of spare black paint............................................. ..and some greyish colours I used in my cave. __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

10-11-2006, 06:58 AM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,997	Those are definitely Froud ears! And shouldn't there be a copy of Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market" framed somewhere for the eddyfication of prospective buyers? Isn't there some kind of English Trust or Royal Trust or Heritage Trust that goes around protecting such sites? Sissinghurst's famous garden is a protected site and if a garden can be protected, cannot kitchen cottage murals? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

10-11-2006, 08:51 AM	#6
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	There's the National Trust and English Heritage, both funded by membership, but they specialise in owning property, rather than having any powers of protection. To protect the murals the cottage owner would have to seek 'listed building' status or be awarded it. And looking at that cottage it will almost certainly already be listed with Grade 1 status as it's 16th Century. However, to protect the murals it would have to be re-examined or re-evaluated - might take years to do. And sometimes protected status can reduce property value if they restrict future use (and they would stop you from having a new kitchen fitted!). The best hope of preserving them is the fact that the cottage has increased in value through having them. __________________ Gordon's alive!

10-11-2006, 05:55 AM	#3
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	I should think that it would be stipulated in the contract!