A stunning art deco-style home designed and owned by renowned Clevedon artist Doris Hatt is up for sale for the first time in decades.
Littlemead, in Walton Road, was built in 1938 for painter and printmaker Ms Hatt and is now being sold at auction with a guide price of £470,000.
In a nod to Doris, selling agents Connells worked with Adrian Webb, whose family were friends with the artist, for two of her prints to hang above fireplaces in the property.
Doris, who died in 1969 and was described as a "pioneer of modernism in Britain", held many gatherings at her home over the years, attracting gatherings of forward thinkers from the arts, science, academia, politics, theatre and journalism.
She exhibited her work over five decades, beginning in 1918, and contributed to many exhibitions across the south west.
Her work developed over time as she absorbed the major influences of the 20th century from cubism to purism and the works of Cezanne and Picasso and her work included portraiture, still life and landscapes.
But her work was not exhibited in smart London galleries and so she chose to sell paintings in local cafes for a few pounds or even give them away, meaning that some of the present owners may be unaware of their provenance.
Indeed her name had been largely forgotten until an exhibition, A Life In Colour – the Art of Doris Hatt, was staged at The Museum of Somerset in Taunton last year and earned rave reviews.
The property, which has been owned by the same family for the past 30 years, has been attracting substantial interest from house-hunters with more than 20 viewings of the property in the past two weeks.
The detached four-bedroom property is set within an impressive plot surrounded by beautiful gardens.
It has largely remained untouched over the years, retaining many of its original art deco features.
The property is in need of extensive refurbishment and could be extended, subject to relevant permissions being secured.
On the ground floor there is an entrance hall, with stairs leading to the first floor, and a generous sitting room with French doors leading to a curved conservatory.
The property’s kitchen and dining room overlooks the gardens and there is a downstairs bathroom and ‘understairs room’.
Upstairs there are three bedrooms, one of which has its own balcony where views of the gardens and surrounding woodlands can be enjoyed.
The property also benefits from a separate annex,with kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and lounge/diner, again enjoying views across the gardens. There is also gas central heating throughout.
Outside there is good sized gardens planted with mature trees and shrubs as well as a greenhouse, double garage and off road parking.
The property is being marketed by Connells of Portishead.
Connells negotiator Annabel Parker said: “Littlemead is an unusual property and it has attracted lots of interest since being brought to market.
“It retains a lot of the original art deco features and the property offers a real project to someone wanting to make it amazing”.
Littlemead is being sold by traditional auction. To find out more call 01275 397464.
