T O L O S E F A C E

Robert Adams's Palace Front Facade, the Bedroom and Dining Room

So, as I wrote about Gladstone’s Land yesterday, I thought it was only fair that I did a short piece about the property that I volunteer at – The Georgian House. This year is my second season at the house and I absolutely love it, it beats my actual job hands down! I’m a property assistant so I get to meet and greet everyone, as well as doing a bit of guiding, helping out in the shop and other admin pieces when it’s needed. What I love the most is the stories about these properties, mostly because I’m a total gossip fiend. If I was around in Georgian times I’d definitely be an old fish wife sat at the windowsill or one of the servants selling on the household gossip for a bob or two! 

Back in the 1700s the Old Town had become overcrowded and filthy - so to prevent a mass exodus of the rich to London, a competition was held to design an elite ‘new’ town on the north side of the castle. James Craig won this competition, and his proposals for two squares (Charlotte Square and St Andrews Square) linked by large, linear streets were developed by master architect, Robert Adam, who’s designs for Charlotte Square would set a new standard in the city from then on. The first residents – The Lamont Family - moved in around 1796 and the house is furnished to reflect how they would have lived. Unlike the cramped conditions in the Old Town, this home is spacious, bright and lavished with money – although all is not as it seems. Pine has been painted to look like Mahogany, the ‘silver’ is actually Sheffield Plate, and the Malachite cutlery isn’t Malachite at all, but stained Ivory. It seems that, in keeping up appearances, the Georgians really were tremendous fibbers! They were also extremely innovative, and the very first Cheese Toastie Maker can be seen in the Dining Room.