“Our Home is in Piccadilly” ~ Lord Byron
The Tales from a Poet’s Abode…
As an artist AND a passionate devotee of Regency History who loves to create a scene and not only of the hysterical kind; it is perhaps only to be expected that I would create a Regency inspired miniature.
Inspired by the life of the poet – the ‘Ghost of Piccadilly’ is the story of a 12th scale historical house which has enjoyed world wide recognition – however, the story is FAR from over!
Follow me as I step inside Number 13 and return to the year 1815…
Let me take you into the fabulous world of Lord Byron and his household as he lived at 13 Piccadilly Terrace and you can watch me as I recreate his lifestyle in miniature as faithfully as possible and along the way, you’ll learn something about the dazzling Regency era too!
If you love the Regency era and are captivated by a time synonymous with elegant romance and are fascinated by historical characters and would love to peep behind closed doors and hear tales of scandal and intrigue or you want to step into another era of ravenous appetites and hardship – this is THE world for YOU!
The Story. The Creation. The Blog…
The Agony of a Stroll Along Piccadilly…
‘We mean to metropolize to-morrow, and you will address your next to Piccadilly…’ ~ Lord Byron
Last November I too metropolized to London for a few days and on one quiet and chilly afternoon after a quick rendezvous with Lord Byron in Bennet Street, I went for a stroll along Piccadilly to take a lingering look at the abode which was the scene of his short and difficult union with the unfortunate Annabella Milbanke and the inspiration for the creation of Byron’s abode, albeit in 12th scale!
Taking My Leave of Number 13?
“Walked early to look at my old house in Piccadilly – saw into the room where I have sat with him, and felt as if I had lived there with a friend who was long since dead to me.”
These poignant reflections were noted in Annabella’s journal on September 17 in 1820, a mere four years after she had left hearth, home and Byron behind on a cold January day and walked out of the front door of 13 Piccadilly Terrace for the last time…
The Makings of a Real Romance?
‘Fletcher, after having been toasted and roasted, and baked and grilled, and eaten by all sorts of creeping things begins to philosophise, is grown a refined as well as a resigned character…’ ~ Lord Byron
Fast forward from that balmy July over two hundred years later to our present day and to the creation of my Byron-inspired Regency House…
Below Stairs…
I profess that cooking is definitely NOT my forte, I am oblivious to the designs of any kitchen and I would rather spend money on chocolate and books than on any cooking gadget.
That said I have had to create an authentic kitchen which now nestles in the basement of Piccadilly Terrace…
Slaving Over a Hot Stove – Me Thinks Not!
Behind Closed Doors…
Dst Annabella
I have just taken the Dss of Devonshire’s House from next Sunday the 12th for one Year at 700£ – as Ld B wants Space I hope it will suit him – but after that, I am in rather a fright at what I have done…
The Atticks & Garrets are perfectly well furnish’d – in all there are Sixteen Beds in the House extremely good & Clean but no one very large…
I determined to run ye risk of taking ye Dss’s where ye furniture is all clean & ye Beds quite good & the Situation delightfull…
Lady Melbourne (March 1815)
