Today, we explore the fun, unusual-looking holiday home known as A House for Essex (A.K.A. Julie’s House). Located in the quiet town of Wrabness, Essex, overlooking the River Stour, the funny little house was built with a fictional backstory. The conceptual project commissioned by philosopher Alain de Botton is meant to be a mausoleum for (fictional) Essex resident Julie Cope, built by her (equally fictional) husband after she perished in a (fictional, of course) tragic accident. Because of its backstory, the house has been dubbed by some as the Taj Mahal of Essex.

The structure was designed and created by the Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry in collaboration with the architecture studio FAT. The interior of the house features artworks by Perry paying homage to the fictional Julie. The outer walls are covered in green and white tiles bearing symbols to commemorate the life of Julie. The structure is decorated with unexpected ornaments including a wheel, a large ceramic egg, and a collection of kooky weather vanes.

You can see more of A House for Essex (and even book it for a holiday!) on the Living Architecture website.

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The #livingarchitecture chair collection. #swedish Farmor Lounge Chair designed by #carlmalmsten @malmstenbutiken – customised by @7upholstery for #ahouseforessex #juliecope

A post shared by Living Architecture (@livingarchitectureuk) on May 14, 2018 at 4:21am PDT

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1/3 Welcome to April’s #architecturefriday, curated this month by @livingarchitectureuk. Over the last decade, we have commissioned world renowned architects and artists to create houses available to rent by everyone. This month we will take a look at how our very distinct architects realised their vision. #AHouseForEssex was co-created by #FATArchitecture and @perry_grayson and conceived as a work of art and architecture that can be inhabited.

A post shared by The Design Museum (@designmuseum) on Apr 6, 2018 at 1:00am PDT

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Grayson Perry’s House for Julie. . . . #wrabness #graysonperry #tapestry #pottery #juliecope #ahouseforessex

A post shared by Natalie Shaw (@natalie_shaw) on Sep 7, 2019 at 3:40am PDT

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Where art meets architecture meets interiors meets life: A House for Essex by @perry_grayson and #fatarchitecture 💛❤️💚 Likened to a jewel box and designed as a chapel to live in for an imaginary woman called Julie. . . . . #ahouseforessex #graysonperry #fatarchitecture #art #architecture #interiors #life #inspo #interiorinspo #hardingandreadinspo #jewelbox #dreamhouse #wrabness

A post shared by Nicola Harding & Co (@nicolahardingandco) on Jun 22, 2018 at 5:09am PDT

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Taken last year. Very different weather #ahouseforessex

A post shared by Mykel Collins (@mykel_collins) on Jan 16, 2020 at 2:28pm PST

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Classic cars in art. A Mk1 Ford Capri and a classic van, possibly meant to be a Morris Z Van, by Grayson Perry in one of the tapestries in the House for Essex #graysonperry #fordcaprimk1 #morriszvan #ahouseforessex #houseforessex #graysonperrytapestries #graysonperrytapestry #livingarchitecture #morrisvan #artandclassiccars #carsandart #classiccarart #wrabness #fordcapri #fordcapriart #arttapestry #classiccarsinart #artcars #graysonperryhouse #modernart #modernarttapestry

A post shared by Mike Neale (@mikeneale13) on Mar 17, 2019 at 2:40am PDT

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Can I live in #ahouseforessex please? @dovecotstudios #graysonperry

A post shared by Jeni Allison (@jeniallison) on Oct 18, 2019 at 9:24am PDT

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Waking up to this huge 4metre #graysonperry tapestry staring down at me – bliss 😊 #ahouseforessex #juliecope #julieshouse

A post shared by Mandy (@mandy__driscoll) on Dec 5, 2019 at 12:39am PST

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#ahouseforessex #red #architecture #colour #interior #graysonperry #fatarchitectute #salads

A post shared by Claire Priest (@clairepriest) on Mar 20, 2019 at 11:38am PDT

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2 / 3 Where architecture meets art and craft: #AHouseforEssex is clad in terracotta tiles made by @perry_grayson and @darwenterracotta, depicting important moments from the life of the fictional heroine #juliecope. The exquisite detailing of the exterior continues through to the interior. – #architecturefriday #FATArchitecture @livingarchitectureuk

A post shared by The Design Museum (@designmuseum) on Apr 6, 2018 at 2:00am PDT

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I’m lucky enough to spend a couple of nights here. A house designed by Charles Holland and Grayson Perry, (2015) It tells a story of Julie Cope a fictional ‘Essex girl’ character, whom her husband Rob built this house for after she died. #ahouseforessex #julieshouse #graysonperry I’m in awe and incredibly lucky to get to stay here. What a unique experience. Thank you Olly 🥰

A post shared by Mandy (@mandy__driscoll) on Dec 4, 2019 at 2:45pm PST

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#graysonperry #suspension #ahouseforessex #architecture #architecturephotography

A post shared by Daniel Cotton (@danieldriver) on Mar 23, 2019 at 12:02pm PDT