Cambridge tour: Kettle’s Yard
This week, I had the opportunity to join Tony’s Tour in Cambridge, an experience I eagerly anticipated following a previous tour in Oxford. Tony had recommended checking out Kettle’s Yard in advance, a suggestion that piqued my interest due to its relevance to my research on furniture and interiors. Before heading to Cambridge, I delved into the background of the sites we were to visit, with a particular focus on Kettle’s Yard. I discovered that it was the residence of artist Jim Ede, who amassed a diverse collection of artworks and furniture.
Our first destination was Kettle’s Yard, whose exterior belied the rich interior within. At first glance, the house seemed small and narrow, aligning with my initial impressions. Yet, the artworks and decorations displayed throughout revealed the owner’s distinctive taste. One of the first things to catch my attention was a collection of pebbles arranged in a spiral on a table, hinting at Jim Ede’s possible fascination with rock collecting. While the ground floor didn’t offer much novelty aside from a quaint single bed in one room, it was the upper floor that truly captured my imagination. Here, a window adorned with an array of plants offered a serene view, especially enchanting in the rain. This floor felt significantly more spacious than the one below and housed a greater number of artworks, creating a striking contrast. The meticulous arrangement of the space and the abundance of art spoke volumes of the owner’s passion. Interestingly, I noticed more single beds scattered across the house, which I later learned were tied to the owner’s Christian beliefs, adding another layer of insight into the personal space.
Pebbles
Window
Small single bed
Artworks
Reading room
