Mark Brazier-Jones, a key figure in the creative salvage movement of the 1980s, and his wife Julia are putting their 16th-century home near Royston, Hertfordshire, on the market, along with much of its distinctive interior contents. The couple have lived in the historic property since 2009, transforming it from a Seventies-style residence into a period-appropriate setting that reflects their passion for antique, worn, and reclaimed materials.

Brazier-Jones, known for his sculptural furniture crafted from industrial scraps and metals, including bronze, helped pioneer a design approach that values imperfection and the beauty of decay. His work has attracted clients such as Madonna, Mick Jagger, Karl Lagerfeld, and even Prince—whose purchase of one of Brazier-Jones’s chairs was completed after it was briefly displayed on a sidewalk outside his Los Angeles shop.

Upon moving into the house, the couple replaced linoleum floors, peach moiré silk, and box curtains characteristic of the 1970s with wooden flooring and panelling more fitting for the house’s heritage. They aimed to restore the property’s aged character without letting it fall into disrepair. The home is largely furnished with Brazier-Jones’s own pieces, which account for about 90% of the décor. Julia Brazier-Jones said the advantage of having a designer husband is the ability to commission custom furniture such as beds, tables, and cabinets as needed.

The house features a notable large room measuring approximately 9 by 4.5 meters, which previously served as garden equipment storage and was a significant factor in their decision to purchase the property. Lighting, one of Mark Brazier-Jones’s recent focal points, plays a crucial role in the home’s ambiance. The couple emphasized that their design choices aim to avoid the harsh, unflattering effects of modern lighting, opting instead for softer, mood-enhancing illumination. Dark, muted colors cover the walls and even ceilings, a deliberate choice to counter the limited natural light afforded by the house’s low ceilings and deep window recesses.

Outside, the couple maintains a half-acre "forest garden" with roughly 60 trees, including fruit-bearing species such as apricots, figs, and quince. The garden is designed to feel wild and largely self-sustaining.

The Brazier-Joneses are now ready to move on and are selling the property with the estate agency Cheffins for £950,000. They are open to including any of Mark’s art pieces with the sale, with the exception of one unique desk that originally belonged to Bram Stoker, on which the author wrote “Dracula.” That desk has been transformed by Brazier-Jones into an exceptional work of art unlikely to be sold. Other items, including chandeliers priced as high as £90,000, are available for purchase, reflecting the designer’s growing reputation and the high value his sculptures continue to command at auction.

Julia summed up their relationship with the home as “perfect for us, not necessarily perfect for others,” highlighting the personal nature of their creative restoration. With the sale, the couple closes a chapter on a distinctive artistic environment that merges history, salvage design, and natural elements.