The Great Country Estates of Britain Series: Holkham Hall Revisited 4 of 5

Here are some more photos from Holkham, of bookcases, libraries and studies...

Above: Vestibule with bookcases

Below: Classical overmantel

Below: Close up of  the bookcases above.

The Classical Library

This was the original library and study of Lord Leicester, created around 1816. Originally he housed many of his books in his bedroom, and stored additional prints in one of the towers. Around 1816 he gathered his collections together and formed a library out of the anteroom to his bedroom. Some of his personalised bound books can be seen below.

Paintings in the classical library...

Detail of column going into the long library...

The Long Library

This was one of the more personal spaces in the hall and is still used by the family. It was designed by William Kent. 

There is a lovely mosaic of a lion (close up below) above the fireplace. To the left of the fireplace is another secret door.

Above and below: Tables of personal photos and object dárt. It was one of the weirder experiences of the tour, because looking around other houses, and Holkham up until this room, one felt like one was in a museum and rather detached from the owners. This room was clearly still inhabited, and it felt more like visiting an open home.

Blue Pools, Bathrooms, Mosaics and more...

Inspired by a few days of sun, I thought I would write a post about pools and tiles, which turned into bloggorhoea about blue things. We are contemplating whether or not to have a pool at Willowbrook. We currently have an outside pool, but seldom use it due to it being unheated. Despite the lack of use, however, we still have to constantly maintain it. Therefore if we did have a pool, it would have to be a heated, indoor pool. There are some outdoor pools I love...

Above: The pool at Versace's house in Miami
Below: Rob Lowe's house and pool.

Above: A formal pool in a terraced setting
Below: Examples of of mosaic tiling...

Below: A shot of Versace's pool from above showing the tiling

Now for some stunning indoor pools...



Above: The pool at The Ritz

Above and Below: Stunning cobalt blues and mosaic work.

Check out Architect Design's post on this pool at San Simeon here.

The blue and gold colours remind me of lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli is a rock, made of various mineral constituents. The main component of lapis lazuli is lazurite (25% to 40%), a feldspar silicate mineral. Other constituents include calcite (white), sodalite (blue), and pyrite (metallic gold).

Lapis lazuli has been mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan for over 6,000 years, and trade in the stone is ancient enough for lapis jewelry to have been found at Pre-dynastic Egyptian sites. At excavations in the ancient centers of culture around the Mediterranean, archaeologists have found decorative chains and figures made of lapis lazuli among the grave furnishings. Countless signet rings, scarabs and figures were wrought from the blue stone which Alexander the Great brought to Europe.

For many years - until synthetic pigment was made - lapis lazuli was ground to a powder and combined with binding agents to make the brilliant aquamarine blue found in Old Masters paintings.

Unlike other pigments, it does not fade in light - in many museums, it is the one paint colour which still shines through.

The death mask of king Tutankhamun's (1341 BC – 1323 BC) was created from gold and precious stones, including lapis lazuli. The mask has symbolic significance; Tutankhamun's beard and headcloth were symbols of his royalty; the cobra on this forehead was protective, its role being to spit poison at enemies of the Pharoah; lapis lazuli was also believed to have powers of protection.

Lapis Lazuli became fashionable in the 18-19th centuries for use in interior decoration and the arts...

It also makes a stunning cabinet top, and could be suitable for a bathroom at Willowbrook:

Other bathroom ideas inspired by blue tiles and mosaics...