In a letter to Soane dated 23 February 1816, Lady Bridport refers to three alternative designs for a kitchen (XIII.H.25), probably those sent to her by post on February 8th 1816 (Journal 6, p.174). Drawing 39 is a record copy of the same three designs, drawn on the pages of a volume. Lady Bridport writes to Soane that she prefers design No. 1, that shown on the left-hand side of this drawing: 'No 1 looks most simple, & I think least expensive, which now is an object with me. It is as you know for the comfort of my Cook & Kitchen Maid chiefly that I undertake it...'(XIII.H.25). The selected design is an addition to the kitchen measuring 16 feet by 11 feet 4 inches with, as in all three designs, the window in the existing kitchen enlarged and a pantry and cook's closet included. The other two designs are larger, with N^o 2 measuring 15 feet 10 inches across and N^o 3 even larger.

The kitchen is at the north-east corner of the house, with the large window facing the north front and the new wing extending to the east. Surveys of the kitchen from 1802 are in the archives (6/32/4 and 6/32/7). Such a configuration would also correspond with a ground floor plan in the archives dated 14 January 1815 (XIII.H.10).

Soane made alterations to Lady Bridport's kitchen while he was designing a monument for Viscount Bridport (q.v.).

Group

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