Ever since restoration work at Blackwell, the beautiful turn-of-the-century holiday retreat overlooking Windermere, was completed and the property was opened to the public in 2001, renewed interest has been sparked in the Arts and Crafts Movement, which is exemplified in the Grade I listed residence. Designed by renowned architect Hugh Baillie Scott, and restored by the Lakeland Arts Trust as a prestigious arts and crafts gallery, Blackwell and its furnishings are proving to be inspirational for home-owners who are reportedly trying to emulate the look in their own houses.

Reporter Michaela Robinson-Tate met furniture maker Robert Ellwood, who specialises in Arts and Crafts pieces.

There is no doubt in Robert Ellwood's mind that Blackwell has done a great deal to cause a mini renaissance of interest in the Arts and Crafts Movement in South Lakeland and further afield.

"More people now say Arts and Crafts' than they ever would before, really because of the publicity Blackwell's brought to the area. That's been done so well it's a wonderful experience."

Furniture buyers are now realising that there is more to the movement than just Charles Rennie Mackintosh even though he was one of the most famous exponents of the style.

As well as Blackwell, the Lake District's association with John Ruskin, the eminent Victorian whose ideas helped to form the movement, means that the area has strong associations with Arts and Crafts.

Ruskin and William Morris came to the movement from a socialist point of view, believing that to be able to make beautiful things in a beautiful situation was spiritually uplifting. Mr Ellwood feels the same when he is in his stunning workshop in Ambleside.

"We just feel so incredibly fortunate to be working here in this beautiful area and have clients that trust us to create pieces."

Mr Ellwood also finds that his way of working adheres to many of the tenets of Arts and Crafts: "It's using local materials, it's using local craftsmen, it's having this personal interface between the designer/maker and the client."

The expert furniture maker believes it is possible for home-owners of almost any style of house to give their property the Blackwell or Holbeck Ghyll touch: "You can put almost any style into any house so long as within one room you almost create a time capsule. I don't think you can mix contemporary pieces with, say, mahogany.

"You could have a dining room in a Georgian house which is incredibly contemporary or incredibly Arts and Crafts. A lot depends on how much of a purist you are."

One of the keys to the Arts and Crafts Movement is its simplicity. For example, when he creates a chair, Mr Ellwood asks himself what is essential, and finds that by limiting the chair to a seat, back and some arms or simply what is needed for it to fulfil its function - it creates an elegant shape. In other words, objects can be beautiful simply because of their form.

One such piece that Mr Ellwood has created is a stunning cupboard which is capable of housing a computer keyboard, monitor, printer, and all the associated paraphernalia that we have with our home computers. Based on Mackintosh's own writing desk, it is as beautiful as it is useful. The maple cabinet with bird's eye maple detail took two-and-a-half weeks to make, and the attention to detail is stunning.

"I have always wanted to make a writing desk based on Mackintosh's, and I just thought how can I make it so that it's big enough to take all the pieces without it looking ugly."

Even an unpretentious long and slender kitchen cupboard is given a distinctive Mackintosh or Arts and Crafts feel simply by the use of three decorative panels arranged vertically.

Mr Ellwood has also created an almost personal signature motif of a wavy line passing through a circle, which has a definite Arts and Crafts feel. It can be adapted to suit different types of furniture.

Previously based in Yorkshire for 15 years, Mr Ellwood has found a large Arts and Crafts influence in the Lake District, and an increasing desire from customers, fuelled by magazines and television programmes, for fine furniture to continue the theme inside their homes.

"I can't imagine there's a geographical area of the UK that's got more Arts and Crafts influence than we have got in the Lake District," he said.

- Mr Ellwood's workshop is at The Coach House, Loughrigg Villa, Kelsick Road, Ambleside. Telephone 015394-34434.

April 16, 2003 14:30