Merton House — MACKMINE

Detached three- or five-bay (two-bay deep) two-storey over part raised basement country house, built 1958, on a rectangular plan; three-bay full-height rear (west) elevation. Hipped slate roof with lichen-covered clay ridge tiles, rendered chimney stacks having concrete capping supporting terracotta or yellow terracotta octagonal pots, slightly sproketed eaves, and cast-iron rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on slightly overhanging eaves retaining cast-iron downpipes. Part creeper- or ivy-covered rendered walls. Square-headed central door opening approached by flight of eight poured concrete steps between wrought iron railings, doorcase with tapered pilasters centred on panelled pilasters supporting "Cyma Recta"- or "Cyma Reversa"-detailed pediment on blind frieze on entablature, and moulded surround having bull nose-detailed reveals framing timber panelled door. Square-headed window openings with concrete sills, and concealed dressings framing three-over-three (basement) or six-over-six timber sash windows. Paired square-headed window openings to rear (west) elevation centred on round-headed window opening (half-landing), concrete sills, and concealed dressings framing three-over-three timber sash windows centred on nine-over-nine timber sash window having fanlight. Interior including (ground floor): central vestibule; segmental-headed door opening into hall with Classical-style surround framing glazed timber double doors having fanlight; hall retaining carved timber surrounds to door openings framing timber panelled doors, staircase on a dog leg plan with timber balusters supporting carved timber banister, and carved timber surrounds to door openings to landing framing timber panelled doors; and carved timber surrounds to door openings to remainder framing timber panelled doors. Set in landscaped grounds with lichen-spotted cut-granite monolithic piers to perimeter supporting crocketed cast-iron double gates.