Modest house with a somewhat unusual floorplan [ Estate ]
Owned by Lady Gallorett (estate rating ●)
Lies in: London
[ Locations ]
This modest house, located conveniently near the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, has a somewhat unusual floor plan. The building itself connects both to Henrietta Street and Maiden Lane. Henrietta Street is the more prestigious of the two streets, but the house's layout of its rooms actually places the foyer with front door on Maiden Lane. There is a door to Henrietta Street, but this door connects to an awkward hallway that also houses the stairs to the kitchen and the rest of the basement.
The house features a living room and a dining room on the ground floor, the second floor features the master bedroom and a nursery, and the third floor features a study and a smaller bedroom. Servant's quarters can be found in the attic, with all three rooms featuring windows. The kitchen can be found in the basement, and a servant's entrance leads to the alleyway behind Sussex Mansions and eventually onto Maiden Lane.
It is not known what the origin is of the awkward layout of the building. A few hints can be seen in the sturdy make of the stairs leading to the basement, and the fact that the third floor is dominated by the study: it might very well have been the house of a gentlemen more concerned with his academic work and the large materials necessary for it, and less with appearances.
Currently, Lady Gallorett has granted use of the house to Sir di Grimani. He uses the house for his studio work, and to receive guests and mail.
The staff of three — cook (doubling as housekeeper), parlourmaid and housemaid — is well acquinted with the house, and all three are in the know.