GROUND FLOOR
Anyone accustomed to the opulent interiors of an English Royal Palace or the flamboyant decor of the Chateau de Versailles, the palace favoured by King Louis XIV of France, will feel quite at home within the stately ground floor rooms of Denham Place.
With high ceilings surrounded by beautifully restored friezes, ornate chandeliers and walls clad in pure silk panels, each room presents an awesome picture. English oak paneling dating back to the 17th century, floors of Italian marble and the generous application of 22-carat gold leaf add to the regal splendour, an effect heightened by the parkland views through the tall windows.
“With English Heritage and the Georgian Society taking a keen interest in the 8-year restoration project, I made sure that every item in every room was historically accurate.”
ALEX KRAVETZ | INTERIOR DESIGNER
DRAWING ROOM
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Befitting its position at the centre of the ground floor, the drawing room is one of the most elaborate rooms in the house. Its many ornate features include intricate cornicing, a restored oval ceiling mural and a hand-carved gold leaf mirror created by Italian artisans who worked on the restoration of the Teatro La Fenice opera house in Venice.
Specially commissioned chandeliers hang from the tall ceilings, while the wall panels and curtains were woven at England’s oldest surviving silk weaving mill. The historically correct pattern was found during a search through the archives at the Gainsborough Mill, established back in 1903.
On the floor, a vast expanse spreading over 39 ft by 26 ft, the specially commissioned carpet is based on the design of the carpet in London’s Buckingham Palace drawing room.
The walls are painted a distinct shade of yellow, carefully selected after 16 trials of various hues. Yellow was often chosen for stately homes of the William & Mary period, as it brought sunlight inside, subtly changing colour depending on the time of day and time of year.
Special attention was also paid to a rich marquetry technique perfected by French cabinetmaker André Boule, who lived from 1642 to 1732. This rare process involves veneering surfaces with tortoiseshell inlaid with brass in elaborate designs. It can be also be found at Versailles and the Louvre in France and at Buckingham Palace and Blenheim Palace in England.
The Drawing Room’s grand fireplace required little restoration, as it has survived intact from Sir Roger Hill’s original plans of 1688.
MUSIC ROOM
Ornate plasterwork in extreme three-dimensional relief is a striking feature of the ceiling and frieze within the music room. As a symbol of the room’s theme, the ceiling shows musical instruments of the late 17th century, with a violin at the centre. The frieze, in grey with a gold leaf accent, depicts country sports such as hunting and fishing. Not surprisingly, it is featured in a reference book showing England’s greatest plasterworks.
The walls are lined with silk panels and opulent silk curtains adorn the tall sash windows offering views of the parkland.
“Skilled artisans from Italy, France and England brought their specialist talents to the magnificent restoration of the ground floor interiors.”
ALEX KRAVETZ | INTERIOR DESIGNER
TAPESTRY ROOM
The tapestry in this room was sourced from Belgium and restored to its former glory. Similarly, the ceiling and frieze, believed to date from 1693, has been meticulously restored by experts who stripped away many layers of paint before applying the current authentic finish. Heavily listed by Historic England, the ceiling frieze depicts scenes of Denham village and the surrounding Buckinghamshire countryside.
The impressive black fireplace and decorative panelling are original, surviving for centuries since their installation by William Stanton, Sir Roger Hill’s mansion contractor.
PRIVATE CHAPEL
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The walls are painted a distinct shade of yellow, carefully selected after 16 trials of various hues. Yellow was often chosen for stately homes of the William & Mary period, as it brought sunlight inside, subtly changing colour depending on the time of day and time of year.
Special attention was also paid to a rich marquetry technique perfected by French cabinetmaker André Boule, who lived from 1642 to 1732. This rare process involves veneering surfaces with tortoiseshell inlaid with brass in elaborate designs. It can be also be found at Versailles and the Louvre in France and at Buckingham Palace and Blenheim Palace in England.
RECEPTION HALL AND STAIRCASE
First impressions matter. And the first impression created by the reception hall at Denham Place is that here is a palatial residence without parallel. An imposing chandelier illuminates an ornate ceiling frieze decorated with 22-carat gold leaf while a grand marble fireplace hints at the regal grandeur to be found throughout the house.
Adjoining the reception hall, the staircase hall features a sweeping oak-panelled staircase leading to a galleried landing. Here, the family crest of Sir Roger Hill, the original owner, remains as a reminder of the building’s rich heritage. The staircase balustrade is listed as ‘important’ by Historic England.
DRAWING ROOM
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Befitting its position at the centre of the ground floor, the drawing room is one of the most elaborate rooms in the house. Its many ornate features include intricate cornicing, a restored oval ceiling mural and a hand-carved gold leaf mirror created by Italian artisans who worked on the restoration of the Teatro La Fenice opera house in Venice.
Specially commissioned chandeliers hang from the tall ceilings, while the wall panels and curtains were woven at England’s oldest surviving silk weaving mill. The historically correct pattern was found during a search through the archives at the Gainsborough Mill, established back in 1903.
On the floor, a vast expanse spreading over 39 ft by 26 ft, the specially commissioned carpet is based on the design of the carpet in London’s Buckingham Palace drawing room.
DINING ROOM
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The formal dining room features windowsills of semi-precious stone, a striking fireplace of Italian calacatta marble and decorative panels of green malachite gemstone. The malachite, used as an interior design element for centuries, came from St Petersburg’s Winter Palace, official residence of the Russian Emperors.
A dumb waiter delivers hot and cold dishes from the large catering kitchen below and double doors lead to a function room with extensive views of the Denham Place parkland.
