Award-winning South Lakes eatery, Levens Kitchen, will soon be celebrating a whole new attention-grabbing element, thanks to a specialist who has created pieces for famous names including Alice Temperley, Kate Moss, Paul O’Grady and Kit Harrington.
Freddie Wimsett is currently working on a mural featuring British trees, plants and animals either native, or imported, at the time the building of Levens Hall was finished, around 1820.
It includes the rare black fallow deer, specifically found in Levens Deer Park.
The existing mural was painted in the mid-1960s, by artist Harry Kellard, assisted by David Walker. Kellard was a name of his time and in charge of props for Glyndebourne, for several years.
His work was commissioned by the parents of Levens Hall and Gardens owner, Richard Bagot. Richard and his fiancée, Chloe, have appointed Freddie, in part, as a nod to the past.
Freddie’s work, although in modern Chinoiserie style, will carry echoes from yesteryear.
An American, Freddie has always been fascinated by British history, even before relocating to Britain in 2010.
Freddie said: “Each and every element is an adventure and I am honoured to be involved in something that is historically important but also a reflection of what is essentially a family home.”
Richard added: “We were very familiar with Freddie’s work and knew he was exactly the right artist for this project.
“The mural will fuse the many different facets of Levens Hall and Gardens, combining past and present in a visually stunning piece of art. By having this work by such an acclaimed artist on public view, we shall share Freddie’s talents with all Levens Kitchen customers and add yet another reason to visit our venue.”
