Basil Ionides

Basil Ionides (20 June 1884 – 23 September 1950) was a British architect who was a bright architectural star in his designs and published two best-selling books, "Colour and Interior Decoration" (1926) and "Colour in Everyday Rooms" (1934). He is best known for his 1929 interior design of the rebuilt Savoy Theatre in London.

Biography

Ionides was born in Scotland, the fourth son of Luke Ionides and grandson of the Greek ambassador to London.cite web|url=http://www.codexgeo.co.uk/dsa/architect_full.php?id=M000317|title=Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (June 19, 2008, 11:44 pm)|publisher=www.codexgeo.co.uk|accessdate=2008-06-19] He studied at Tonbridge School and Glasgow School of Art 1900–1903. While there, he wrote architecture articles. He served his apprenticeship with Alexander Nisbet Paterson, during which he designed his first building, the double villa in Winton Drive, when he was only 18. [cite web |url=http://media.primelocation.com/SAGR/SAGL/Brochures/SAGL192317B1.PDF |title=A handsome, early Victorian detached villa in an affluent enclave |publisher=media.primelocation.com |accessdate=2008-06-19] Upon the completion of his apprenticeship in 1904 or 1905, he moved to London and joined the office first of Leonard Stokes and then of Harold Ainsworth Peto. [http://www.codexgeo.co.uk/dsa/architect_full.php?id=M000317 Profile of Basil Ionides at the "Dictionary of Scottish Architects" (2006).] Retrieved on 2008-06-19.] Ionides entered independent practice in 1908 and designed a number of English Houses. During World War One, he served in the Naval Reserve and was commissioned. He relinquished the commission, however, preferring to serve as an ordinary seaman, as he did not like giving orders to more experienced men. He was injured in 1917 and returned to private practice, particularly performing interior work.

Ionides married the Honourable Nellie Samuel (1883–1962), [ [http://www.thepeerage.com/p11830.htm#i118300 Information about Nellie Samuel and Basil Ionides at thePeerage.com.] Retrieved on 2008-06-19.] the widow of Walter Henry Levy, daughter of the 1st Viscount Bearsted, in 1930 after meeting her while he was decorating her residence in Berkeley Square.cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE6D61F31F930A3575AC0A9669C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |title=ART/ARCHITECTURE; When Good Eye And Goodly Fortune Come Together - New York Times|publisher=query.nytimes.com|accessdate=2008-06-19|last=Owens|first=Mitchell] She was an expert in Oriental porcelain and collected art works, many of which were donated to Richmond Council. [cite web|url=http://www.vanderven-vanderven.com/media/VandervenMedia/letter_tefaf2004.html|title=Vanderven & Vanderven Oriental Art|publisher=www.vanderven-vanderven.com|accessdate=2008-06-19] Basil and Nellie had one child, Adam, who died at the age of nine. The Ionides acquired Buxted Park in 1931.cite web |url=http://www.handpicked.co.uk/opencms/sites/default/HPH/hotels/buxted_park/about/history.html|title=History |publisher=www.handpicked.co.uk|accessdate=2008-06-19] With a combination of Basil's discerning eye and Nellie's fortune as the Shell Oil heiress, they restored the Park and became important art collectors. But fire destroyed much of the house in 1940, and the top story was lost entirely, with much of their collection. Ionides scavenged architectural pieces from bombed-out buildings around the country with which to rebuild his stately home (now a hotel). [ [http://www.jeremy-clarke.freeserve.co.uk/west%20park.htm "Buxted Park and the Medley Evelyn Connection", "Felbridge & District History Group" (2000)] ]

Ionides was an important Art Deco designer. He was best known as the architect (with Frank A. Tugwell) for the rebuilding of the Savoy Theatre in London in 1929 and for Claridge's Restaurant. [ [http://www.elegant-lifestyle.com/claridges.htm "Claridge's Hotel, London, England", "Elegant-Lifestyle.com"] ] For the Savoy Hotel's restaurant, he famously sculpted Kaspar, the Black Cat, who acts as a good-luck guest at tables if thirteen would otherwise be present. [cite web|url=http://www.moodmapper.com/idx_result.asp?mood=204&place=152|title=moodmapper - Kaspar the Cat - The Savoy Hotel|publisher=www.moodmapper.com|accessdate=2008-06-19] He published the important books "Colour and Interior Decoration" in 1926 [cite web
url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/COLOUR-INTERIOR-DECORATION-Basil-Ionides/dp/B000RJK572
title=Amazon.co.uk: COLOUR AND INTERIOR DECORATION By Basil Ionides, 1926: Basil Ionides: Books|publisher=www.amazon.co.uk|accessdate=2008-06-19] and "Colour in Everyday Rooms" in 1934. [cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/COLOUR-EVERYDAY-ROOMS-REMARKS-DECORATION/dp/B000XZTJQ8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212923594&sr=8-9
title=Amazon.co.uk: COLOUR IN EVERYDAY ROOMS: WITH REMARKS ON SUNDRY ASPECTS OF DECORATION.: Basil. Ionides: Books|publisher=www.amazon.co.uk|accessdate=2008-06-19] He was admitted to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1931 and was elevated to Fellow in 1938.

Ionides died in Brighton at the age of 66 and is buried in St Margaret's Church in Buxted Park. [cite web
url=http://www.cofebhd.org.uk/stmargaret/index.php?id=2|title=St Margarets Church Buxted - History|publisher=www.cofebhd.org.uk|accessdate=2008-06-19] [cite web
url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/27451445@N05/2560312113/sizes/l/ |title=Flickr Photo Download: basil ionides grave |publisher=www.flickr.com|accessdate=2008-06-19]

References

Further reading

*Obituary in "Builder", 29 September 1950 v. 179, pp. 358 and 474
*Obituary in "RIBA Journal", September 1950, London: Royal Institute of British Architects

External links

* [http://math.boisestate.edu/GaS/carte/savoy/theatre.html Site includes photo of Ionides 1929 interior of the Savoy Theatre (bottom image)]