The restoration of the three State Drawing Rooms required the retention of three of William Kent's original fireplaces and cornices. The rest of the rooms had lost their earlier ornamentation, partly through successive incumbents and partly through bomb damage. It was therefore felt that the Kentian treatment needed to be restored. The three orders were employed in new overmantels over the three mantelpieces: Ionic for the Pillared Drawing Room with a straight pediment; coupled Doric columns for the more formal central room where guests are received; and the more delicate Corinthian order complete with swan-neck pediment for the White Room. Ornamental and enriched ceilings and door surrounds were added employing the rose, shamrock, thistle and daffodil in the four corners. |