English Iconic Savoir designs photographed at the Chadwick’s residence
In rural parts of Gloucestershire, near the deep valley of the river Frome, is where we found an extraordinary place to photograph our bed designs. The medieval Lypiatt Park, presently a home and studio to the Chadwick family, like a Savoir bed, is the quintessence of true British design.
Every room at the manor is as intriguing as the last. All are decorated with an unexpected blend of grand sculptures, delicate mobiles, and abstract paintings. Around 60 individual sculptures created by the late Lynn Chadwick are carefully dotted around the house. Alongside those are other artworks by Damien Hirst, William Figg and Daniel Chadwick – Lynn’s son. As one of the most known British sculptors, Lynn Chadwick was a prominent figure in the art world. Famously recognised for his semi-abstract sculptures, like the Teddy Boy and Girl, amongst which we settled one of our bed designs – the striking blue Lenoir.
A handmade tale of graceful curves
Named after Helen Lenoir, entrepreneur and wife to The Savoy founder Richard D’Oyly Carte, the Lenoir design harks back to our heritage. Upholstered by hand in our Bedworks using Métaphores decadent blue velvet, with an eye-catching black and white stripe by Christian Lacroix at the back, and accentuated with double piping. This bed design instantly elevates any room and pairs beautifully with toned-down, minimal décor. Its attractive curves embody elegance, while the idea of adding print or pattern at the back of the headboard creates room for self-expression.
On the other side of the Lenoir design rests another grand sculpture by Lynn Chadwick, one of his earlier pieces – the Beast XVI 1959, made in bronze. His use of colour is perhaps what made him the most notable as a sculptor. Chadwick detested the shiny finish commonly seen in sculptures. Instead, he chose to paint his works with diluted plaster, which whitened the depth of each piece.
His career began through quite an unconventional route – when he started out as an architectural draughtsman. This may be precisely what shaped his approach to sculpture. He began each piece with construction, rather than modelling. Although the latter was a far more common approach to sculpture during Chadwick’s time.
Mine are a little bit more lyrical and airy, a bit more like thoughts above. His works are a lot more heavy, powerful and grounded. They look good together.
Undeniably, Lynn’s preference for modelling is reflected in his son’s work. Daniel, who currently resides at Lypiatt Park with his family, has inherited the intricate skill of sculpture-making and translated it into his own works as a kinetic sculptor and architect. Above the Lenoir design, suspended from the tall ceiling of the library room hangs one of his pieces. A delicate mobile, which he accentuated with bold and deliberate pops of blue. Daniel has an incredible eye for infusing colour into his works. Many of which are inspired by the beautiful, stained-glass windows his father installed at the manor. He often places his and his father’s works together. “Mine are a little bit more lyrical and airy, a bit more like thoughts above. His works are a lot more heavy, powerful and grounded. They look good together”, he explains.
Contemporary meets traditional
Opposite the entryway of the manor stands our Virginia bed design. Its daring green tone makes a statement against the calming ambience of the stark sculpted white walls and high ceilings. “As children, we were armed with paintbrushes. My mother had a paintbrush, my father had one. And they did it themselves. Just by painting it all white, you don’t lose the detail, it somehow just takes it away from being in your face”, Daniel reminisces in his Christie’s interview, talking through the calm and modern interior of the manor.
Although at a glance minimal and contemporary – like the manor itself, through deliberate and intricate details the Virginia is a true reflection of traditional British design. The choice of fabric is what gives it a noteworthy, textural aesthetic. Upholstered by hand in horsehair fabric by John Boyd, the last remaining manufacturer, where original looms and techniques from 1870 are still used. The addition of another traditional element – Georgian legs, finished with brass metal cups eloquently elevates this bed design.
On both sides of the Virginia stand two of Lynn Chadwick’s sculptures – the High Hat Man and the High Hat Woman. Both are over seven feet tall. The grandeur of these pieces can truly be felt.
