Kenwood: more August, 2012

More new shiznit. The kitchen has been re-done (and, though it isn't evident from this angle, presumably retains the old front door, moved during the 90s):


The rebuilt sunroom is the same as before. Nothing much to see here:


Except...woah! On the very spot where John's beloved old couch sat, now sits something similar:


Proof of something or other on the part of the owner? Co-incidence? (But then, as we should all know by now, there's no such thing as co-incidence.)
Moving on to the first floor; directly above the dining room, and originally a bedroom, this has been converted to an en-suite for the adjacent master bedroom. Nothing remains here from John's time, apart from the floorboards and the window:


The master bedroom during the 1960s, and, after years where it served as a bathroom following conversion in the '90s, the master bedroom again now. It's a bit bigger than before, as there used to be a corridor here which has been co-opted to provide more space. The very spot where the famous photo of John plus bear was taken:


Out to the garden, and a contemporary view from John's perch (see posts passim):


The lower wall has been substantially rebuilt, though I'd guess the outer sections are the same, and that parts of certain features remain:


A bit more to come at some point.

Kenwood: August, 2012.

Kenwood is back on the market, and with it the chance to assess the latest post-renovation incarnation.
New windows, and substantial landscaping "pokery":


The entrance hall, and the first time I've seen the staircase, which has survived since the house was built circa 1913:


This whole area, once part of the kitchen, has been opened out to create more space:


The living room: original wood panelling still intact, as are the fireplace and the door through to the dining room, but the roof beams have gone:


Through to the dining room, which remains fundamentally the same as ever, decor notwithstanding. Note the door leading to the sunroom/kitchen area:


On the other side of the living room is the small sitting room, again recognisable, despite the new window and door:


The view from the sunroom, down to where the covered swimming pool now does squat at the bottom of the garden:


Asking price? 15 million pounds. It should be remembered that Kenwood has no listed status, and whoever buys it would, in theory, be able to "do a Kinnie" (ie demolish it in order to build another, even bigger house), something happening more and more often on St George's Hill these days. Which is slightly worrying, I suppose.
More to follow.