To Number 13 Piccadilly?

What’s the Story Behind the Creation of 13 Piccadilly Terrace?

The idea for the creation of 13 Piccadilly Terrace began in the summer of 2009 after watching and more than once, the BBC adaptation of Byron featuring the delightful Jonny Lee Miller as His Lordship and the idea for the Ghost of Piccadilly was inspired by Byron’s life at this London address during that eventful year of 1815.

Is 13 Piccadilly Terrace a ‘Real’ Model?

Yes, it is a ‘real’ model’ which has been created in 12th scale primarily with the use of MDF, plaster, strip wood, paints, mountboard and of course with plenty of glue and lots of imagination!

Although No 13 began life as a Sid Cooke kit comprising of simple pieces of MDF and Plywood, the original design has been ‘tweaked’ with false walls and side windows and the creation of which has been entirely my work.

And How Large is 13 Piccadilly Terrace?

The house measures 70cm in width and 132cm in height with a depth of 64cm.

And with 13 rooms – it is rather appropriate!

Was the Design Process of 13 Piccadilly Terrace a Dream to Create or a Nightmare?

The journey from bare wood to the creation of an atmospheric grand house has been a challenge!

As was choosing the interior design with the appropriate colour scheme, the elaborate woodwork and the plastered ceiling decoration for the dining room – ALL of which resulted in more than a few headaches AND sleepless nights!

However, the basement kitchen WAS a dream to create!

With inspiration drawn from the Georgian kitchen at Fairfax House in York, the effect was realised with the use of a piece of foam board, a pot of plaster filler, a cheap vinyl floor tile and some bought pieces for the fireplace from an independent dolls’ house supplier.

And Your Plans for 13 Piccadilly Terrace?

As No 13 remains a work in progress, there’s plenty to keep me occupied as there are still beds to be made, the family portraits to hang, a wedding to arrange AND an elaborate supper for the Twelfth Night to serve up.

I am also hopeful that an exquisite gilt chair in the style of Louis XV and upholstered in the most delightful fabric may FINALLY find its way to the drawing room!

How Can I Follow the Stories About Lord Byron’s House?

As well as sharing the stories on the blog Home With Byron – you can also follow the news from Number 13 on the housekeeper’s blog The Ghost of Piccadilly.

Tell Me the Attraction of Lord Byron?

As Byron once described himself as ‘Being the fashion; it’s absurd but I can’t help it’ – the attraction of this handsome, unconventional, talented poet with a biting wit is just one explanation of his timeless appeal.

He was arguably the first celebrity of our age with a fascinating personality of irreverence, humour, controversy and political idealism and as such he remains just a potent today as he did over 200 years ago as he cut a swathe through London society.