31/10/2025
This year we mark Halloween with a very special haunted house, one of our favourite projects to date.
The story of this house has many layers, and we are privileged to have been able to add another to its ongoing narrative. Our clients fully embraced all of the perks, quirks and occasional irks of this unique property and committed to truly make it their own. Their labour of love involved a 7+ year building project (we got involved halfway through). And after that real horror, who would be afraid of a (friendly) ghost? 👻
Her name is Inge Henderson. She was a formidable and charismatic woman, who was a musician, singer and very early teacher of the Alexander Technique. She lived in the house with her husband from 1940-1963 when they divorced, after which she continued to live in the house with her ex-husband and his new wife. If that isn’t a haunting enough reason for sticking around in search of some space, then I don’t know what is! Our client fondly refers to her as a protector of the house, even if sometimes doors open and close on their own, and one occasionally hears the ti**le of piano keys when alone in the house!
Inge’s story is as much a part of the narrative of this house as its latest layer, in which are privileged to have played a part. Our clients are only the 4th family to own and occupy the house since it’s completion in 1879. Their humble and gracious embrace of the custodianship of this extraordinary house, and the responsibilities involved, is what makes the results of our collaboration so personal, unique and meaningful.
Oh — and eagle-eyed viewers might recognise it from a Hammer Horror-inspired episode of Inside No. 9 (swipe to see)! 👀🏠