In 1888, the owner of a pair of early 18th century cottages in the Surrey village of Thursley decided to embark on a spot of building. And as it happened, he had a budding young architect in the village – the son of a couple who lived just across the road.
That young man's name was Edwin Lutyens – the man who went on to become one of the most celebrated British architects of the last 150 years.
Lutyens joined and extended the two cottages into one larger house, The Corner, creating a fascinating five-bedroom house that is now on the market for £1.5 million via Knight Frank.
Among the initial work done by Lutyens was adding a drawing room with two bedrooms above, and also a tile-hung wing at the back.
Gray must have been pleased with the work his young friend did: Lutyens was asked back seven years later to make a few more changes – this time adding on a morning room, another bedroom and four smaller rooms on the western side of the house – rooms which are now the kitchen, utility room, dining room and study.
Lutyens finished the work in 1896 and the the end result was the house as it now stands: an ideal family home with an imposing reception hall, drawing room, dining room and sitting room, as well as a separate study.
Many of the original features were retained when the work was done: the reception hall, for example, has an old fireplace and makes a real feature of the ancient wooden beams supporting the ceilings.
The drawing room is particularly noteworthy, with windows on three walls bathing it in light, and doors out onto the gardens – of which there are roughly a third of an acre.
Upstairs, the main bedroom is (for once) a room that genuinely merits the use of the phrase 'master suite': you walk into a large dressing-cum-sitting room, with the actual bedroom itself a double-aspect room that lies beyond.
The walled gardens are a real feature, with sweeping lawns, vegetable plot and a herb garden. There is also a two-room wooden outhouse – which has probably been used as separate accommodation in the past, and might be again – as well a double garage.
The agents suggest that the house is now in need of some updating. And who knows? Perhaps there is a budding young architect now living over the road who might just fancy the job...
The Corner House is on the market with Knight Frank – see more details and pictures.
The Tudor mansion in Sussex where Lutyens and Jekyll pooled their talents
Legh Manor: The Tudor mansion in Sussex where Lutyens and Jekyll worked together
A doll's house fit for a queen: How Lutyens created a Lilliput for Queen Mary
A miniature palace designed by Lutyens and promoted by Country Life offers a fascinating perspective on the 1920s, as Gavin
Lutyens’s mysterious masterpiece comes to the market
How a little-known early example of the architect’s work was brought to life.
Great British Architects: Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens
Our new series begins with a look at one of the most celebrated architects of the 20th century, Sir Edwin
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expectThe four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
-
Sign of the times: In the age of the selfie, what’s happening to the humble autograph?When Ringo Starr announced that he was no longer going to sign anything, he kickstarted a celebrity movement that coincided with the advent of the camera phone and selfie. Rob Crossan asks whether, in today’s world, the selfie holds more clout than an autograph?
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealedNew research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of EnglandCome for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River TayCarnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country LifeWe take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producersStormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in KentNorth Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streetsThis six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
