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Timorous Beasties are making Summer in the city at Valentine's Mansion

From 19 July 2010

Summer in the city – discover a walled garden at Valentines Mansion with bespoke furnishings by Timorous Beasties.

Valentines Mansion, built in the 17th century for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s widow, once stood in open countryside, several miles from London. It was remodelled in the 18th century by a wealthy textile merchant, who traded with the East India Company. The house and grounds, a rare example of a substantial rural mansion of this date, were rescued from dereliction and restored in 2008 with an HLF grant, and is now a popular venue in the heart of Ilford.

This project will focus on the walled kitchen garden, which features rococo grottoes, a dovecote and café. A bespoke Valentines Textile will be created by Glasgow design studio Timorous Beasties, taking inspiration from the rich history of the site, such as the 18th century trading connections with India that financed the building of the mansion. The Valentines Textile, designed to have high visual impact and to be functional, whilst reflecting the surreal and provocative reputation of the design team’s work, will be used on a range of outdoor furniture – deck chairs, wind-breaks and parasols – to add to visitors’ enjoyment of a vibrant programme of Summer activities in the garden.

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