Out & About: Grayson Perry’s A House for Essex

Spend the weekend living in a bona fide work of art by Turner Prize-winner, Grayson Perry.

Artist, potter, documentary maker, national treasure; now Grayson Perry can add architect and interior designer to his long list of achievements. This striking building – situated in Wrabness and overlooking the Stour estuary – is his latest project, and it offers a chance to get up close and personal to the artwork of one our most prolific living artists.

Designed in collaboration with FAT architecture, A House for Essex was commissioned by Living Architecture, an organisation which makes contemporary architecture available to the public for short getaways and breaks.

But this is no ordinary holiday rental – A House for Essex is half temple, half Grimm’s fairytale from the outside, and colourful playhouse on the inside.

It’s an opportunity to delve inside Perry’s vibrant imagination and become immersed in his world. It’s more than a functional building – A House for Essex is a narrative that tells the story of a fictional Essex woman, Julie Cope.

From the bespoke ceramic tiles that cover the building’s exterior, to the totem-like statues that crown the roof and the giant tapestries that adorn the walls – the house charts Julie’s journey through life from beginning to end.

The interior is just as impactful as the outside, with a mix of patterns, different surfaces and bold blocks of colour. A veritable feast for the eyes, glossy tile-clad walls are paired with red woodwork, two-tone herringbone floors and mosaics, along with the aforementioned tapestries with their intricately woven pictures. Yes, it may sound far-out, but actually, it works.

After spending a few days in these rich and creative surroundings, visitors will no doubt pick up some inspiration for their own homes. We think Grayson and team are onto something with their bright yellow kitchen cabinetry and scarlet skirting boards – try Spring Breeze 1 and Ruby Fountain 2 to recreate a similar look.

Visit www.livingarchitecture.co.uk to find out more about A House for Essex and for information on how to book.

See more events and things to do: Out & About: Craft, Out & About: Make Yourself Comfortable and Out & About: Designs of the Year.