It almost became a game, not only learning the family’s story through documentation, but also spotting the contemporary interventions, way too many to list here. You could easily while away a half day poring over letters, looking through books and peering into cabinets in a densely conceived experience.
Here is a shot of one of the desks in the study with fabric swatches and maps (the Gees were textile merchants). Linked cups & saucer and candlestick by David Clarke. Even the curtains were created for this project.
To think I took these photos at 11.30 in the morning.
Embroidered Gee family tree by Anita Bruce, one of many embroidered pieces by a wide range of artists.
Cushions by Daniel Heath on a half-landing shared space with letters from Elizabeth Gee, one of the daughters.
The dressing table in a bedroom with hats by Sahar Freemantle
A small dressing room packed with clothing and accessories including jewellery by Christopher Thompson-Royds
and this straw hat by Thomas von Nordheim
And this is only a fraction of what was there. Many pieces from the show are for sale so visit the Traces online shop for more information. I’d also like to congratulate the National Trust for developing more collaborations with artists and designers to create quite magical experiences. May this continue.
