Welcome to The Temple

Welcome to The Temple

If I reflect upon my journey into interior design, I would probably pinpoint seeing the photograph of this building as being a defining moment. It was my introduction into the world of English decorating, as well as the work of David Hicks and Billy Baldwin, two designers who have been a profound influence of mine to this day.

While the architect of The Temple was previously unknown, it has subsequently been proven likely to be Robert Taylor, an architect working in the 18th century. He built it in the mid-18th century, around the same time as the canal in front of it was created.

The Temple is sometimes referred to as 'The Temple of the Four Seasons', as each of the seasons is portrayed within the Stucco work on the ceiling.

In this course, you will be joining me in two of my own homes; firstly, The Temple. I have had the honour of being the custodian of this beautiful building for over 40 years. I first saw a photograph of it at school in the early 1960s, so it is a space that has occupied my imagination for almost all of my life.

The building consists of a large, typically Palladian room on the first floor with a series of small supporting rooms on the ground floor. To me, it feels as though you have a palace upstairs and a little cottage downstairs.

David Hicks discovered The Temple in the 1950s, restoring the roof and damp proofing to make the building habitable. I believe he used it as a weekend getaway and holiday home during the summer months.

Further Reading

• David Hicks
• Billy Baldwin
• Palladianism
• Robert Taylor