Comments on: Christmas At Dennis Severs’ House

By: Debra Matheney

Debra Matheney — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 18:44:35 +0000

The house remains a museum. I cried when I finally was able to enjoy a tour. The atmosphere is so evocative of times gone by. Deeply moving, touring by candlelight in silence, it captures all of your senses and uses your imagination to see a world that others inhabited. I got it and loved it, except for the woman who kept talking!! Go if you can.

By: Laurent Beaulieu

Laurent Beaulieu — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 16:28:18 +0000

The neighbourhood has changed quite a bit lots of very modern buildings now dominate. I do not know if the house still exist today as a museum or not though it is marked on maps as Eden House. Can you tell us the status of it today. Thank you for a great story.

By: Saba

Saba — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 15:22:22 +0000

For those who enjoy dreaming of the Severs house, I bring the wonderful book entitled The Marvels to your attention. And, of course, the television series Call the Midwife also brings the East End to life. Call the Midwife, The Marvels, and Spitalfields Life have created a universe that I continually enjoy.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 14:28:01 +0000

After all the hubbub of Christmas, we took the evening off and watched the old version of
“Mr. Scrooge” (the incomparable Alistair Sim…..) and I was so captivated by the crusty and
arcane interiors. You could practically feel the tilting wobbly floor boards and imagine how it would feel to put your hand against the scaling venerable walls. Oh, and the smoky glaze of the windows, etc. The final photo, above, captures this perfectly. Emerson once said something like
“hold to your creed, and be happy if you have created something wild and strange in this decorous life…” (well, SOME thing like that) and I congratulate Mr. Severs on his amazing accomplishment.
Thank you, GA.

By: Adrienne Roche

Adrienne Roche — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 12:09:41 +0000

I love this account – hilarious, informative and so well told, I could envisage each exchange. I have visited the house twice, once during & once after Dennis’ time, a fascinating place.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 10:59:24 +0000

“I can’t bear those garlands made out of nuts”
… unimpressed by her host’s ‘Grinling Gibbons’ inspired festive decor, Phyllis Archer’s parting shot seemed an understatement following the bossy charade.

l, on the other hand, WAS inspired by the arc of green runner beans growing daintily (if not unusually for a front façade) around the front door of the house, passing by last summer.

l marvelled at their architectural brilliance dangling perfectly like stalactites ‘lit’ by their dinky scarlet blooms.
Back home in the Sussex Downs, this year l intend to grow green beans around my black wrought iron gate arch – the perfect structure for this ‘icicle’ effect.
No more unsightly bamboo wigwams.

Thanks indirectly to Denis Severs,
another touch of Spitalfield’s magic is added to my abode.

By: Pamela Traves

Pamela Traves — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 08:52:52 +0000

It is a Lovely Home. I would Love to see it!!?????????

By: Helen Holland

Helen Holland — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 08:43:12 +0000

Great story! I did have the pleasure of having a tour of the house by the man himself. It was, I think, in 1997. I had read about Dennis Severs in a couple of articles and was so very intrigued, but this was before the widespread use of the internet so he and the house were not widely known. We went one cold November night and with three others had what was to be the strangest, most wonderful and entertaining night. Dennis was very strict with his rules but if you followed them he became the ultimate storyteller. Starting in the basement with the creepy remains of the actual ancient hospital underfoot, and moving through the house he spun his story about the Jervis’s. It was magical and my husband and myself totally immersed ourselves in the experience. It was as he said like stepping through a mirror. At the end we stayed behind to chat briefly with him, and he said he could see we “got it.” His catchphrase was “you either get it or you don’t!”. He wrote a book giving you full tour of the house in exactly the same style and words, which worth tracking down.

By: Robin Call

Robin Call — Fri, 27 Dec 2019 03:54:43 +0000

I just love Dennis’ house. He must have been such an interesting fellow. If I ever get across the pond…