1 Palace Green

His use of plain red brick, sash windows and a large gable on the street front provoked opposition from James Pennethorne, the surveyor for the Commissioners of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues, whose approval was needed as the site was leased from the Crown Estate.

[2] Pennethorne could not understand the Arts and Crafts architect's nonconformance to any traditional style or period of architecture, and thought the design vulgar compared to those of neighbouring developments, which Webb in turn despised.

[4] After a long dispute which grew to include other prominent architects, Webb agreed to add some more Portland stone dressings and redesign the gable.

[1] Webb positioned Howard's studio on the north side of the top residential storey, with its own staircase which led down to the garden, opening into a two-storey pointed-arch recess.

This room also featured Cupid and Psyche, a frieze of 12 canvases started by Burne-Jones in 1870, based on the story in Morris's epic poem The Earthly Paradise.