Day in Hampstead
This weekend was gorgeous, we decided to spend it in Hampstead. After a brief walk on the heath we went to see the Ernö Goldfinger family home in no 2 Willow Road. The house is a part of the National Trust and every Saturday it opens to visitors. You start with a video introduction to the architect’s life and the history of the house followed by a trip round the house.
2 Willow Road
The house, built in 1939, is stunning in its simplicity, colors and materials used. Nearly everything is left as it used to be when the Goldfingers lived there up to Ernö’s death in 1987. The Goldfingers were part of the London and Paris art scene and were proud owners of a lot of amazing works of art by Henry Moore, Roland Penrose, Bridget Riley and many others. The rooms are very minimal and practical, furniture is simple, all the chairs, beds and sofa’s are surprisingly low to the ground – Ernö was a very tall man.
We pondered through the house for a bit, we then went to Gail’s for a lovely sponge cake with lavender and a cup of tea.
Afterward, all inspired by British modernism, we walk to Lawn Road to see the Lawn Road Flats (Isokon Building) designed by Wells Coates. After taking a few snaps my other half was chased away by an aggressive inhabitant of that building. How rude!
Lawn Road Flats
Before leaving Hampstead I couldn’t resist popping into Beetroot Deli – a Polish specialist, to stock up on dumplings. Yum.
Tags: 2 Willow Road, Beetroot Deli, Bridget Riley, Ernö Goldfinger, Gail, Henry Moore, Isokon Building, Lawn Road Flats, National Trust, Roland Penrose, Wells Coates
October 15th, 2008 at 8:16 am
[...] The Sneaky Magpie Hunting for treasures in London and beyond « Day in Hampstead [...]
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:36 am
[...] The moment I saw it I fell in love, it would be my dream to live there. He designed most of the furniture himself too as well as children toys. I have written about my visit here. [...]