The House of Dreams, Stephen Wright

Steve has done a lot of additional artwork during lockdown which adds particularly to the amazing front and back garden. The mosaics are beautiful. Inside the house is very poignant with all objects having a special meaning to him and reflecting different parts of his life. Well worth a visit.

I had never heard of the House of Dreams - Timeout featured it and I was so intrigued I booked a visit through the 'Stephen Wright Artist' website on one of the monthly open days. Admission costs £10 and it's a good idea to pre-book. You can then turn up on any of the monthly open days (times and dates are on the website) bringing a print of the email receipt as proof of payment. 45 Melbourne Grove is easy to find. It's the second street on the right if you turn right out of East Dulwich station. The artist Stephen Wright lives in the House of Dreams with his partner and they conduct the tour. Just go through the brightly painted blue gate and ring the doorbell. It is astonishing. Wright has covered the walls in mosaics, diary entries, observations about life and photographs. The house is therefore both an amazing work of art and a moving record of his life, covering as it does his experience of the deaths of his partner and parents all within a year of each other in 2006 and his life since. It is a work in progress as he will tell you and he is continually adding new features. It all began in 1998 and you can watch a video about him and the house upstairs. Stephen himself is incredibly welcoming and willing to answer questions and chat. You can take photos outside but they ask that you respect their privacy by not taking photos inside. This really was a unique place to visit and I'll be back with friends!

I rarely write reviews but had to write one after visiting the 'House of Dreams' museum by artist Stephen Wright. This is a
is a life project for collections, discarded objects, memories, sculptures and mosaics that cover the interior and exterior of his house in East Dulwich.

My friend and I had an amazing and inspiring afternoon. It was great to see the unconventional/colouful installation, interesting artefacts from different parts of the world, reading endearingly diary of the artist’s life events as well as discovering random objects from our childhood.

We met Stephen Wright who greeted all his visitors. He showed pure, genuine kindness, hospitality and raw passion for his work.

Overall, I really enjoyed myself there for a few hours and was engaged with the experience. I definitely recommend it to others!

I loved this place. With the House of Dreams artist Stephen Wright has turned his home into a living work of art. He uses his personal experiences as a starting point for decorating his home. Works include puppet and doll making, art boxes, mosaics, painting and furniture design to create an exuberant expression of his life. Materials are carefully selected - but are materials that by others maybe over looked - hair rollers, vintage photographs, religious imagery, badges, stickle bricks, bottle tops and broken crockery covers every surface. And although a visual riot it is carefully planned. An absolutely beautiful space that is by turns inspiring, humourous, provocative and tender. It made me want to go home and get my hands dirty making something.
Do go. And book on-line in advance - the house is only open for around 10 days each year. Entry is a tenner.

This is an artist’s house which he covered entirely in mosaics and found objects. It was interesting to see, and very unusual. It’s not “beautiful” art, it’s perhaps best for those seeking out the absurd and surreal - you have to “get” it without plaques telling you what you’re seeing. It’s not really divided into sections and doesn’t really have specific pieces to focus on. However, the artist and his partner were there to answer any questions, and there was a short informative video about the creation. It is easily seen in about a half hour. For me it was not necessarily worth the trek across town, but it was kind of crazy and neat.

A fantastic place to visit, so much to see.
I guarantee something will touch your soul.
We got to speak to Stephen and his husband, such lovely people.
You must go!

Fantastic house! Steven and his partner were really friendly and welcoming! Thank you to steve for sharing his beautiful art and pieces of his soul with the public! :)

So much to see. Some beautiful, some strange, some scary. The artist and his partner are on hand to explain things and there is a very informative video about how his work came about. Well worth a trip.

25 minutes ago

A unique place and like nothing else I have seen. Stephen and his partner were very warm and accommodating. Stephens work is raw and unapologetic which is rare. I cried profusely at the emotiveness of his words shared on the walls.
For anyone who has been witness to the decline and eventual death of a loved one, his work is likely to resonate.
Definitely recommend and like others have mentioned , the short video helps to explain his concept.

A recent fascinating visit to the House of Dreams at 45 Melbourne Grove and made even more so by the artist himself. Steve’s personal description of this art project and his honesty when explaining some of the different sections just added to the experience. As others have said this may not be to everyone’s liking and some may find certain aspects, such as the fascination with damaged dolls for example strange to say the least. But ask Steve why they have such prominence and the sense and reasoning comes through.
£10 to visit and as others have mentioned you can find all the details of how and when and some images of what to expect through the stephenwrightartist.com web page.