I’m visiting Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire next week, once the home of the Vernon family and now administered by the National Trust ( Not gadding again? I hear you say, probably in an exasperated manner: I know Dear Reader, I know, but I do love doing it and at least I can share the experience with you!) Sudbury is of interest to us here as it was used for the interior shots of Pemberley House for the BBC’s 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice. A most fitting choice, in my opinion, and I will elaborate on this next week…when I return from gadding… however… back to the point of this post…..
I thought you might care to read about the famed decorator, John Fowler, and his work undertaken at Sudbury Hall in this intriguing blog post linked here. The debate about the authenticity of his work,and his choice of colour is fascinating (and is why the photographs I am using here are in black and white!)
The effects might not be seen as truly authentic now, but having stayed in old country houses where he has worked, I can confirm that his work was always very carefully considered and beautifully executed. Personally, I’ve always admired the colour schemes at Sudbury….
Enjoy!
7 comments
August 11, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Emile de Bruijn
I am glad you found my post interesting. As Louise Ward writes in her contribution to John Fowler: The Invention of the Country House Style (Donhead, 2005), the Long Galery at Sudbury started life as an excercise space and art gallery, then became a library, then a cluttered family sitting room, was then de-cluttered in the early twentieth century before receiving the Fowler treatment ca. 1970. I think it is fascinating how the way we treat historic interiors is always changing – just like the way we read authors like Austen is always changing :)
August 11, 2010 at 4:13 pm
jfwakefield
It was fascinating-as were the comments to it. As a fan of Fowler, and being of a certain age, I love his style and look, but can quite understand new techniques revealing that perhaps his decisions taken in the now long ago 1970s, may not have been as accurate as he (and we!) then thought!
August 11, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Cathy Allen
It’s a lovely place, authentically historic colors, or not. Two of my favorite scenes in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice have always been of Elizabeth and the Gardiners walking through that Long Gallery and seeing Mr. Darcy’s and his ancestors’ portraits (so true to Jane Austen’s book!), and later of Mr. Darcy himself walking that same distance with a single candle, at night, with the dogs, to end at the Music Room and have his reverie about Elizabeth (*sigh*). It’s a truly lovely interior. I’m looking forward to your elaboration on why it is so fitting!
I also enjoyed Emile de Bruijn “Treasure Hunt” blog; it’s most interesting! I had never considered that the way we treat historic interiors is always changing; I thought it was a pretty static thing, but this was a clear explanation, and very interesting. Thank you, Julie,
CEA
August 14, 2010 at 3:47 pm
jfwakefield
New scientific techniques = new discoveries, I suppose. I love the saloon, staircase hall and long gallery( though I’ve never ben keen on the sisal flooring: my aunt had some and it had to be watered! Too much of a bother)
August 17, 2010 at 1:33 pm
imogen88
Dreamy and lovely colour. I adored these interiors in the film. Good reading, Julie, and Emile de Bruijn’s post.
August 17, 2010 at 11:03 pm
jfwakefield
Emile’s blog is wonderful. I heartily recommend it to everyone who reads this one as it is full of interesting comment upon our historic houses.
August 22, 2010 at 1:02 pm
imogen88
Good, Julie, will keep checking Emile’s blog, thank you!