HOME EDITION
The house has a heart you cannot fail to be captivated by . It sings of family, love, thoughtfulness, skill and care clear there is so much still to uncover and explore,” she comments. Looking to the future, the team behind also making waves across Europe. As were the trends of the Edwardian period, which marked a transition between ornate Victorian styles and the more restrained
David’s toolbox. “Among the many jars and tools are neatly wrapped packages of nails, meticulously labelled in David’s copper plate script. These modest items give an insight into the man of orderliness, who retained unused items and used neat and – thankfully – beautifully legible writing.” Home truths Returning to the era at which the Parrs first took up residence, this was a time of transition across the world – particularly for fashion, taste and preferences for interior decor. “The turn of the century was not a time for minimalism,” shares Annabelle. “The Victorian era favoured opulent and ornate interiors characterised by rich colour schemes, intricate patterns, with dark woods and plush furnishings.” Arts and Crafts chose to reject the excesses of the Victorian era, instead upholding quality craftsmanship and natural forms and materials. These can be seen throughout the house with its handcrafted furniture, earthy colour palettes and motifs drawn from nature. At the time, the art nouveau style, with its flowing lines and organic shapes, was
the house will continue to unlock more stories surrounding David, his employer and the wider social network at the time. By further digging into these histories, Annabelle champions David Parr House’s contemporary relevance. “We put the values the house imbues at the centre of what we do and use this to celebrate craft skills, material knowledge, artistry and creativity. This is done through projects working with makers, designers and artists to make opportunities for creative practice in a thoughtful, inspiring, accessible way.” Proudly championing its artistic legacy while creating an environment that offers a haven for the arts through its events programme, to visit David Parr House is to escape into a unique and extraordinary world that belies its ordinary exterior. “The house has a heart you cannot fail to be captivated by. It sings of family, love,
aesthetic of the 20th century, with its emphasis on comfort and functionality. Traces of these influences can be detected throughout David Parr House, despite the fact that such interior styles would have only been reflected in the homes of the wealthy, rather than the working classes. Long after David, Mary Jane and their three children dwelt within these walls, the house’s story continued with his granddaughter, who lived in the house from the age of 12 – and raised her own family there in turn. Right at home On the house’s incredible journey from discovery to opening to the public, it is Annabelle’s greatest hope that David Parr House will continue welcoming visitors for years to come. “While we now know a fair amount about the house, David Parr, his family and the company that employed him, it is
thoughtfulness, skill and care.” Visit the house on a guided tour on
Thursdays and Saturdays. Book your spot and find out more at davidparrhouse.org
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JUNE 2024 85
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