Are you ready for a photo heavy post? Not one to ever pass up an invitation to peek around a beautiful house, Dean and I set off last Friday for the newly opened Battel Hall at Leeds Castle in Kent. A drive through country lanes with spring finally arriving around us and an unexpected heatwave filling the air with excitement.
Built in the early 14th century as a medieval hall-house, Battel Hall is a beautiful example of Kentish architecture of the middle ages, with fascinating original details including a stunning decorative laver (basin) and an extremely rare medieval retable – now on show over at Leeds Castle. Following many additions and alterations over the centuries with the last owner letting it fall into a little disrepair. As you can imagine managing a home and garden of this size and historical significance would be an incredible task, I have enough trouble keeping on top of our small bungalow!
The whole house has been brought magically back to life -the garden is still awaiting the finishing touches so I didn’t get any images outside, but I will hopefully be able to go back a see how it finally looks this summer. Just now the ancient wisteria with a trunk and enveloping branches that look like something from a harry potter film, wrapping all around the back of the house – is about to burst into bloom.
The two-year refurbishment and interior decoration task was undertaken by Francesca Rowan Plowden and the Leeds castle restoration team – the result is a sumptuous but homely interior. A beautiful place where you can feel relaxed and at ease surrounded by colour and pattern.
Francesca’s gift for mixing patterns and colour, antiques and modern luxuries is amazing, as a person who can never settle on a definite wallpaer decision I am in total awe.
My two favourite rooms are both bedrooms and both have a colour palette of rich reds and blues, oil painting artworks and jewel-coloured soft furnishings.
In the morning room, the hand-painted De Gourney wallpaper adds a bright feeling just right to start the day. Jade statues, marble surfaces and splashes of gold add opulence but not too much.
Wallpapers and curtain fabrics have been sourced from Lewis and Wood and Blithfield to compliment artworks, ceramics, lamps, sculptures, collections of antique books and furniture.
All the mirrors are works of antique beauty and this window seat below is a dream looking out over the gardens, with sunlight pouring in and generously plump cushioning.
Mesmerising Lewis and Wood ‘Hanbury’ wallpaper in Greengage.
All five of the stunning bedrooms had pretty fresh floral arrangements and one of my favourite touches – a Roberts radio in a colour to compliment the mood and decor.
So many inspiring and magical details in each room, gold and lacquer tables, Venetian glass, patterned fabric lampshades, plaster mouldings and hand-painted flourishes.
Spring was springing outside the windows and below in the dining room a huge walnut table made by Alastair Murray to seat sixteen (at least) waits to greet you. This room is all warm wood panelling and beams with sparkling glassware and just a hint of a twinkle from the modest chandelier above.
This room was my favourite of the five bedrooms, with deep blue upholstery and warming red walls with rich gold touches and boldly patterned cushions and curtains, it overlooks the entrance courtyard which has a beautiful tree creeping up the wall outside and past the window.
The bedrooms and bathrooms have a perfect mix of dark and light, gold and silver vintage details and old-fashioned style fittings add extra charm to bathrooms. Everything you need is here and has been considered.
There are rooms to suit every mood and whim plus plenty of places to sit and read and relax alone or with friends and family, making this such a great venue for a retreat, indulgent break or small intimate wedding.
