Issue 46 April 25 web - Flipbook - Page 34
pair of garden ‘gates’ above the basin which open to reveal
the mirror.
Lord Montagu said: “It’s all just a bit of fun really. This used
to be the laundry room and cleaners’ store, so it’s given me
great pleasure to make it into something which looks positively
regal.”
Motor Room
The Motor Room has been created by Lord Montagu as
a personal tribute to his father, the founder of the National
Motor Museum. The walls are lined with a special wallpaper with two vintage tyre tread patterns forming vertical
stripes, over which various items of motoring art are hung.
A bookcase contains many of the motoring books authored by the late Lord Montagu and others which reflect
his interests such as history, good food and travel. The
room has other transport relics, notably an art deco Zeppelin styled lantern, a variety of model cars and pair of
lamp stands made from old brass car horns. The rubber
bulbs from the horns have been redeployed as finials at
each end of the curtain pole.
Oak Room
This room has been open to visitors for many years but
has also been given a makeover. The theme here is the
European Grand Tour which was taken by Lord Montagu’s ancestor, the Marquess of Monthermer, between
1754 and 1760. Some of the paintings he commissioned
whilst on his tour, by artist Antoni Joli, are hung on the
walls, showing visitors views of Avignon, Tarascon,
Venice, Florence and Naples. The ceiling, which is decorated with a specially adapted map of 18th century Italy,
will give guests something to gaze at if they can’t sleep!
A stately challenge at Beaulieu
In his original design brief, Lord Montagu inspired students by saying: “The challenge is to create some remarkable rooms which our visitors are still talking about long
after they’ve left!”
The tribute continues in the corridor, where a selection
of family photos not exhibited before will give visitors
glimpses of the very active life lived by the late Lord
Montagu.
Water Babies Bathroom
The adjacent bathroom adopts the Water Babies as its
theme, inspired by the classic children’s novel by Charles
Kingsley. The fantasy tale has been re-imaged by Emma
Martin as an underwater room in which fish, turtles and
water babies are swimming around you.
The challenge was taken up by third-year students, who
have used their designs and experience as part of their
coursework.
Throne Room
Before reaching the largest of the bedrooms, visitors will
find the Throne Room. Its ‘throne’ lavatory was made by
antique restorer Alex Webster from TV’s The Woodland
Workshop which was filmed on the Beaulieu Estate. Assembled mainly from pieces of old furniture, the back is
emblazoned with a specially carved Montagu coat of arms,
over which there is an ornate gothic canopy which hides
the cistern.
Work is underway on another further bedroom which will
open for visits, with more details to be announced later.
Furnishings from Palace House were restored and upcycled where possible, while local craftspeople contributed
to the project.
See the new bedrooms and bathrooms as part of a ticket
to Beaulieu, which also includes entry to the National
Motor Museum with its collection of more than 285 vehicles, fun adventure playground Little Beaulieu, 13th
century Beaulieu Abbey, the Secret Army Exhibition, unlimited rides on the tree-top monorail and beautiful
grounds and gardens. New exhibition We Had One Of
Those is also opening at Easter, featuring some of the most
popular cars from the 1960s through to the noughties and
beyond in a blast from your past. For tickets and details
see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.
The room has a large gold coloured bath tub and the tiles
in the shower cubicle continue the royal theme with an
illustration of a medieval King and Queen by Belinda,
Lady Montagu.
G
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