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Leighton House, tucked away in
a Kensington side street, was the home of Frederick, Lord
Leighton (1830 - 96).
One time President of the Royal
Academy, Leighton was made a peer in 1896. He designed
his house in 1866 in collaboration with George Aitchison.
The rather plain red-brick façade
conceals one of the most extraordinary interiors in London,
and the opulent and richly decorated building has been preserved,
a monument to the Victorian aesthetic movement.
Lord Leighton spent much of his
life travelling the world and it is from the East that the
house takes most of its inspiration.
The highlight is the Arab Hall,
added in 1879 as a setting for Leighton's collection of 16th
and 17th century Damascus ceramic tiles. Many of these
tiles were given to him by the traveller Richard Burton.
The stunning room, based on a Moorish palace in Sicily, has
tiled walls, a mosaic floor and a fountain and pool.
The first-floor Silk Room, added
in 1895 for the paintings given to Leighton over the years,
has a zenana overlooking the Arab Hall. Beyond this
is Leighton's studio, where he not only worked but also held
soirées.
Leighton regularly entertained
distinguished guests, including the Prince of Wales, but he
did not encourage overnight guests and had only one bedroom
built in the house.
He was a distinguished Pre-Raphaelite
painter and collected a variety of works of arts by his
contemporaries, and the reception rooms contain the best of
these, including works by John Millais, Edward Burne-Jones
and Leighton himself.
Leighton House also holds temporary
exhibitions and the 'Leighton Open', an annual exhibition
for artists who live, work or study in the Royal Borough of
Kensington and Chelsea.
Admission free
donations appreciated. Charge for guided tour
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London
High Street Kensington