Prior to the seventeenth century, the prodigy houses of the Elizabethan age were those sites privy to landscaping on the scale that we can later expect from Britain’s grand country house gardens. This period of the Renaissance ushered in strands of Italianate influence, greatly received by a proportion of courtiers and gentry. Properties such as […]
What’s in a desk? A desk by any other name would still be as untidy… Were I writing an ode to my desk at work, that would probably be it – partly down to the oftentimes chaotic, creative energy that fuels my day, and then my love of well, stuff. At home, I have a […]
The best friend I ever had in my life, and the cleverest of women. So said Lord Byron of Lady Melbourne, 17 November 1813. Before we delve into Colin Brown’s tidy paperback, let us first familiarise ourselves with Elizabeth Lamb, Viscountess Melbourne (née Milbanke; 1751 – 1818) and her timeline – one that spans grand old Georgian […]
State Rooms The principal or state rooms of West Wycombe are identifiable by the monumental chimneypieces and door cases which were installed during the period of renovation. The coloured marbles used here would’ve been of great expense and, combined with the rich carving, attest to the status of the room as a showpiece and social […]
It’s no secret that I adore this time of year. Having resumed my studies in the Country House, I’ve had the space to map out new historical content for readers and hope that in the meantime, you enjoy reading about the activities I’ve been indulging in this season. Having recently moved into our new house, […]
