"It's not a house of outstanding art, being a self-taught carver whose skills evidently advanced over the years, as you can see the evolution from fairly rough carving on the stairs to the very skilled work in the living room. He also created the paintings on the walls - talented chap - but never finished the carving in the living room, as his time finally ran out."
"In his unpublished autobiography, Frank says that he wanted 'a house with beautiful things inside, a house solid looking and not showy'. It's very functional, with nooks and crannies all filled in with useful features, even down to a really tiny cupboard under the stairs."
In 1902, an engaged couple with limited finances purchased land and constructed their own house, completing it in 1904 before marrying and moving in. Unable to afford professional furnishings, they built and carved all their own furniture and decorative elements by hand. Frank Dickinson, a self-taught carver, created increasingly skilled work throughout the home, with his abilities evident in the progression from rougher early carvings on the stairs to refined work in the living room. He also painted the walls himself. The local council recognized the home's significance and preserved it. Now volunteers open the house monthly for public visits, allowing visitors to experience the intimate atmosphere of their handcrafted creation and witness the unfinished carving as a poignant reminder of life's fragility.
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