There has long been a blue plaque to commemorate 2 Gower Street as the home of Millicent Fawcett but there has been a recent addition to the same house. Agnes Garrett (sister to Millicent) along with their cousin Rhoda, were pioneers in interior decorating at a time when such a profession excluded women.

A&R Garrett was founded in 1874 and at first relied on commissions from family and friends such as Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (Agnes’ sister) and the composer Hubert Parry.

However, their unpretentious style, so different to the commonplace stuffiness of the period, soon caught the eye of sophisticated clients and the business grew to be highly successful. The two cousins both lived and ran the business from 2 Gower Street. Rhoda died of typhoid fever in 1882 but Agnes continued to work until her retirement in 1905. 

Millicent joined her sister at 2 Gower Street after the death of her husband, Henry in 1884.