Inside the Fictional residencies of 'The Queen'

Isn't it funny how a simple event can trigger an idea. I was struggling somewhat for inspiration for blog content this past week when I was challenged by a dear friend to name my top ten favourite films in ten minutes. I had no problem doing so, the task actually taking only a minute or two; What I realised after, was that I had unintentionally chosen films based around Royalty and the Aristocracy and that they all had one thing in common..beautiful interiors. It was then that I realised that I had stumbled upon the inspiration I had been searching for and this would make an interesting post. So without further hesitation and in no particular order, here is the list:

The Queen (Helen Mirren)

The Kings Speech (Colin Firth)

The Duchess (Keira Knightley)

Elizabeth: The Golden Age (Cate Blanchett)

Marie Antoinette (Kirsten Dunst)

Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley)

Amadeus (Tom Hulce)

The Iron Lady (Meryl Streep)

Melancholia (Kirsten Dunst)

Atonement (Keira Knightley)

 Sadly I have decided not to feature all of the interiors from the above list. Instead I am going to focus on the Interiors from 'The Queen' starring Helen Mirren. This film depicts the immediate aftermath of the death of Princess Diana, and in particular the reaction of the Queen. Royal residencies such as Buckingham Palace and Balmoral Castle are depicted and as a staunch royalist, this film was a real treat personally. I have always admired Royal residencies so it was interesting to see how they would be depicted on film. Thankfully close attention was paid to ensure that interior shots were appropriate depictions of the Queen's homes.

The above scene shows the Queen in a Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace. All of the interior filming for this was on location at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire. Brocket Hall is a large Country House but it's proportions are nowhere near that of a Palace. Much of the original furniture was taken away from the room and the remaining pieces strategically placed to increase scale. It is very easy to imagine this being a large Drawing Room in Buckingham Palace.

The elegance and grandeur of Buckingham Palace is realised with the placement of furniture and selection of handsome objects in view. 

Familiar? The Queen sitting at her desk in Buckingham Palace opening mail.

The Drawing Room at Brocket Hall arranged in it's usual manner. It is now more obvious to see the true scale of the room, it is not as large as it appears in the film. This has always been one of my favourite Drawing Rooms with it's blue silk wall covering and daffodil yellow curtains. 

The above picture shows the Dining Room at Brocket Hall. As mentioned previously, it was important to capture the grandeur and scale of Buckingham Palace therefore this room was emptied of all furniture and was used instead as a corridor where the Queen is seen walking along to enter her Drawing Room.

The Queen is seen here reading the Morning papers. This scene was again filmed at Brocket Hall. 

The Bedroom in full view. This is exactly the style of bedroom I imagine a Queen to rest in! The Four Poster is so incredibly delicate and looks exquisite with it's hangings. 

The Queen is seen here with her Prime Minister in the Audience Room. This is a more formal 'working' room and is filled with French Furniture. 

The real thing. The actual Audience Room at Buckingham Palace, designed by John Fowler.

The exterior of Brocket Hall where the interior scenes of Buckingham Palace were filmed.

The interior scenes for Balmoral Castle were filmed at Blairquhan Castle in Scotland. The Queen spends six weeks at Balmoral every Summer and it is where she learned of the news of Diana's death. Balmoral is known to be a very private residence filled with personal objects and antiques. 

Another glimpse shows the comfortable elegance of 'Balmoral' with it's damask wall covering, chintzy lamps and wooden furniture.

A rare glimpse inside the Queen's favourite residence, Balmoral. The Drawing Room is very much typical of any private residence with personal photographs on display, magazines scattered and one's favourite chair placed by the fire.

Blairquhan Castle in Scotland, used to film the interior scenes of Balmoral

The real deal. Balmoral Castle, the Queen's beloved Scottish home.

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Gilding the Lily - Botanica in the Home

Throughout the Eighteenth Century and beyond there was a supreme thirst for knowledge amongst the European aristocracy. It was a time when technology was advancing and society began to question the World around them. Indeed this was no new fascination; Since the beginning of time mankind has sought answers and solutions to the remarkable World in which we inhabit. However, the Georgians had an extraoridnary way of turning everything they did into a thing of beauty and a work of art. One example is how the study of Astrology was executed in the creation of magnificent clocks which represented the planets. Today one would simply download an 'app' and think nothing more of it. The Georgians ensured that their studies would also be represented in the arts, something which encouraged more people to take interest, not to mention the legacy that these objects created. 

One of the most fashionable topics of study towards the end of the Eighteenth Century that continued through to the Victorian era was the study of Botanica. Particularly endearing to women, the study of flowers and plants in the natural world was a way for the modern Lady to prove her status and education to the rest of society. This topic was considered appropriate and kept the gentlemen happy knowing that their wives were partaking in the study of something 'feminine and pretty.'

Indeed the influence of Botanica quickly developed into the home and became part of an interior's scheme. Cabinets filled with various specimens, albums of decoupage delicately placed, floral fabrics and chintzes upholstered onto furniture, embroidery depicting flora and fauna replacing previous interests. Women were not allowed to make decisions on many things, but the decor, that was non negotiable.

 Today I think Botany is still an exquisite theme that can be translated into any interior to bring an element of nature and femininity to the home, especially when the aim is to create an authentic Georgian residence. 

This incredible dinner Service 'Flora Danica' by Royal Copenhagen is said to be the most expensive China in the World. Each piece is signed twice, once by the artist and then by the gilder. Wouldn't this look lovely in the Dining Room.

 And again, a large range of Flora Danica on display

Although these cushions could be described as more 'Chinoiserie', they still fit the Botanic theme beautifully and would bring a sense of nature into any home. Fabric by de Gournay.

This Engish bedroom decked out in the famous Colefax and Fowler 'Bowood' fabric is ideal for a cosy guest room. Green is one of my favourite colours for bringing a sense of calm to a scheme and this fabric provides that perfectly. 

These hand painted decoupage eggs are just exquisitely beautiful and would look lovely placed amongst other Objets d'art to enhance that Georgian feel. Click HERE to learn how to create your own.

One of my favourite rooms of all time, the Bathroom at Milton in Cambridgeshire. The Georgians did not have Bathrooms but i'm certain this is what they would have wished for. What an interesting place to take a relaxing bath and unwind amongst nature.

These set of eight framed lithographs from icollector.com are just lovely and are similar to the ones displayed above in the Bathroom at Milton.

Botanical prints available to buy online from the Royal Horticultural Society

In Royal Style - The Interiors of HRH Princess Michael of Kent

It only takes a brief look at my Instagram gallery to see that I am a Royalist. I have always admired the sense of history that comes with the family, not to mention their classic taste and style, always managing to look timeless, elegant and never the dreaded 'fashionable.' However when it comes to the Royal Family, what I admire most are their exquisite residencies.

One Royal in particular who is somewhat 'under the radar' yet one of the most interesting is Princess Michael of Kent. As the Princess and her husband, Prince Michael, are not directly in line to the throne and therefore have to earn their own income, they have been able to live more open lives in comparison to other Royals. Some people even suggest that this is a good way for them to earn money. Personally I don't think they particularly struggle in this department.

At this point it would be appropriate to give a detailed history of the Princess and her background, however I will refrain from doing so as this is an Interiors blog and it is rather easy to find this information on the Internet. It is perhaps important to note that Princess Michael was an Interior Designer before she married the Prince, something that will become evident as we take a look inside her home.

The Prince and Princess of Kent have an apartment in Kensington Palace, which has been split up for many years providing residencies for various members of the extended Royal family. Princess Margaret once lived in the residence now occupied by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (apartment 1a) and Princess Diana lived in the apartment next door to Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. I have seen most pictures of how different members of the Royal Family have decorated and furnished their apartments in Kensington Palace and I have to contend that I find the Kent's residence most charming. 

 For me, Kensington Palace is a dream residence. The Grandeur of a large Palace, with the charm of an English Country House, in the middle of London! Because the Palace has been split up, the residencies are able to provide what appear to be large yet comfortable accommodations. The picture above shows Princess Michael's residence (4), Diana's former residence (5), and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's new apartment (2)

There are very few Interior pictures of the Kent's residence inside Kensington Palace. Indeed the only ones that are available are those from photo shoots taken inside the apartment; One reason I am thankful that the Prince and Princess have to earn their own money! 

Here are the first of many pictures of the Princess posing in her Dining Room at Kensington Palace. The most striking thing about this room for me is the beautiful wall covering in a cheery, sunny yellow. The pattern is typically English and immediately gives a timeless look to this exquisite room. The busy print is then softened by the simple window dressings which add another layer of charm and elegance. 

This photograph provides a better glimpse of the fireplace and artwork above. Antique China sits handsomely on the Mantle beneath the impressive moulding which frames the still life oil on canvas. This is a room that needs no excessive grandeur, instead understated elegance is it's mantra. It is easy to forget that this room is inside a palace, such a warm environment has been created here. 

I can't help but feel that the Princess was inspired by Colefax and Fowler when designing this room. Perhaps this is because of the yellow which evokes a similar feeling as Nancy Lancaster's Drawing Room at Avery Row. As you will see, yellow is a firm favourite of the Princess.

The famous Yellow Drawing Room of Nancy Lancaster

Yet another aspect of the cheery Dining Room. Here we can see the typical Georgian symmetry in the placement of the Sash Windows. Aren't the gilded sconces charming?

The Prince and Princess pose here in the Blue Drawing Room at KP, the only available picture of the room. Again, understated elegance seems to be the theme here with plush seating, English style lamp shades and antique objets filling the room. The walls appear to be covered in a blue, silk moire whilst elements such as the black Chinoiserie cabinet and gold door plates add extra sophistication. If only we could see more!

The charming yellow continues in the Study which is the epitome of the English Country House look. Scattered seating allows one to relax and read in comfort amongst the piles of books which only add to the warmth of the room. This is a very personal room with photographs and objects filling every surface. Again, one can't help but think of Avery Row.

At the expense of repeating oneself -Yellow is the chosen palette for the Bedroom which has a folded silk wall covering. Excluding the built in glass shelving, I love everything about this tranquil space. I imagine that in the morning when the sunlight floods in, this room just sings. The gilded mirror provides a luxurious touch and is framed by botanical prints. 

If you want to see more of the Princess's exquisite eye for decor I suggest you research her now sold Country Residence, Nether Lypiatt. 

The Green Room

John Fowler once said that one only needs to look to the Countryside to see that all Green's work in harmony together. This is a statement that has stuck in my mind since the day I read it in Roger Banks Pye's book 'Interior Inspirations' a few years ago. I have tried many times to dispute the claim made by Fowler, however, all attempts have been in vain because he is of course totally correct. 

It can also be argued that green is one of those rare colours that always work in an interior no matter the shade. Eau de Nil to pea green to bottle green, they all work in a scheme as appose to more difficult colours such as yellow or red, which can be very harsh and unflattering when certain shades are mixed to create the final colour. 

Whilst creating my own Interior schemes it has been difficult not to do all of the rooms in green. I have to convince myself that other tones should be used and that a house full of green would not be all that charming (or would it?). Pinterest and Instagram have only fuelled my fire for green interiors with so many beautiful images of fabulous green interiors almost spurring me on to redecorate my house in favour of the beautiful colour. Here are some green inspirations.

Where it all began. This green striped wall covering is from the London Drawing Room of the late English decorator Roger Banks Pye, who's book 'Interior Inspirations' first sparked my enthusiasm for Green Interiors. Banks Pye has created in this room the perfect Country House look in the city and made a beautiful combination by adding blue and white porcelain to his green interior. Roger was always trying to upscale his rooms and he often talked about this in detail. Notice how the stripes take the eye up, as do the wall brackets with porcelain objects. It is all about making the room appear much larger than it actually is. 

Upping the grandeur. Silk green Damask is the main feature of the exquisite Dining Room at Alnwick Castle, seat of the Duke of Northumberland. The deep richness of this dark green works so well with not only the wood of the dining table but also the gilt of the picture frames. It is a bold choice as most Stately Homes opt for the obvious red in their Dining Room's. 

A taste for the exotic. Susan Gutfreund's 'Winter Garden Room' in her New York apartment is the epitome of chic with it's pleasant mix of green, florals and chinoiserie to evoke nature. The Russian Bessarabian rug is from a chateau in Belgium and was purchased from Axel Vervoordt at the Paris Biennale.

Georgian Green. This is the Entrance Hall at Smedmore House, Dorset, England. The house was recently featured in 'The World Of Interiors' and it was such a delight to see inside this historic gem. This Entrance Hall could be straight from the 1700's, it's look is so authentically Georgian with the white mouldings which remind me so much of Robert Adam. 

Fit for a Duchess. This English Sitting Room was inhabited by 'Debo' (the now Dowager) Duchess of Devonshire. Situated in the private quarters at Chatsworth, this cosy room has folded green silk lining the walls. This is perhaps where the grandeur ends as the room is filled with various objects, worn fabrics and everything else that makes the English home so charming. 

French Fancy. A Bedroom in the Champ de Bataille revived by Jacques Garcia is palatial with it's canopied day bed and ornate mouldings, not to mention the richly carved boiserie. 

Toile du Jouy. Green and Toile, nothing else has to be said!

All images taken from Pinterest.