Exploring The Bedroom Count Of Historic Harewood House

Harewood House is a country house in Harewood, West Yorkshire, England. It was built between 1759 and 1771 for the first Baron of Harewood, Edwin Lascelles, and has been home to the Lascelles family ever since. The house was designed by architects John Carr and Robert Adam, with landscaping by Lancelot Capability Brown. In the 1840s, Sir Charles Barry was employed to increase the accommodation by adding second storeys to each of the flanking wings to provide extra bedrooms. Today, the 8th Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles, occupies the home with his family. While parts of the estate are open to the public, most of the bedrooms remain off-limits.

Harewood House has three grand libraries

Harewood House is a country house in Harewood, West Yorkshire, England. It was built between 1759 and 1771 for the 1st Baron Harewood, Edwin Lascelles, a wealthy West Indian plantation owner and slave trader. The house was designed by architects John Carr and Robert Adam, with input from Lancelot "Capability" Brown, who designed the surrounding landscape.

Harewood House has been home to the Lascelles family for ten generations and is currently occupied by the 8th Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles, and his extended family. While parts of the estate are open to the public for tours, the family's living areas, including most of the bedrooms, are off-limits.

Harewood House boasts three grand libraries, which are sure to delight any bookworm or lover of literature. The libraries are a testament to the family's intellectual pursuits and their appreciation for knowledge and culture. Each library has its own unique character and atmosphere, providing visitors with a glimpse into the world of the Lascelles family and their esteemed guests.

The first of the three libraries is known as the Old Library. This space was designed by Robert Adam, who is renowned for his Neo-classical style. The Old Library is characterised by its warm and inviting ambiance, with mahogany-and-brass bookcases lining the walls. It has served as the main living room of the house, a place where the family could retreat and relax while surrounded by their beloved books.

The second library is the State Library, which is located just off the State Bedroom. This library is a true masterpiece, with intricate ivory inlay and elegant lines. The State Library is not just a place for reading but also a work of art in itself. The doors leading into the State Library are cleverly designed to look like bookshelves when closed, seamlessly blending into the room's décor.

The third library, known as the Spanish Library, was once the State Dressing Room. This space showcases two of Thomas Chippendale's finest pieces: a marquetry satinwood secretaire and the Diana and Minerva Commode. The Diana and Minerva Commode is considered by many to be Chippendale's single greatest work, renowned for its intricate ivory inlay, graceful lines, and whisper-quiet drawers. The Spanish Library offers a more intimate and cosy atmosphere compared to the other two libraries.

Together, the three grand libraries of Harewood House reflect the family's passion for knowledge, their appreciation for fine craftsmanship, and their commitment to preserving and sharing their cultural heritage. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich history of the house and gain a deeper understanding of the Lascelles family's legacy.

The house has several drawing rooms

Harewood House, a country house in Harewood, West Yorkshire, England, has several drawing rooms. The house was built between 1759 and 1771 for the first Baron of Harewood, Edwin Lascelles, a wealthy West Indian plantation and slave owner. The Yellow Drawing Room and the Cinnamon Drawing Room are two of the notable drawing rooms in the house.

The Yellow Drawing Room features two oval mirrors and a large overmantel mirror by Thomas Chippendale, a renowned furniture maker and craftsman. Chippendale was commissioned to create all the furniture in the house, and his collection remains one of the best in the country. The Yellow Drawing Room also features a Regency clock by John Barwise, adorned with two putti on top.

The Cinnamon Drawing Room offers a view of the Terrace and the lake beyond. The Terrace was designed by architect Sir Charles Barry in the 1840s and is styled in the Italianate fashion.

The drawing rooms and other areas of Harewood House showcase the work of prominent artists and craftsmen employed by Edwin Lascelles. York architect John Carr designed the Palladian exterior, while Robert Adam, a rising star from Scotland, designed the interiors. Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, a visionary landscape gardener, designed the surrounding landscape, which spans 1,000 acres.

The house has been occupied by the Lascelles family for generations and is currently home to the eighth Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles, and his family. The house is open to the public for tours, offering a glimpse into its rich history and breathtaking architecture.

The Bird Garden is home to over 40 rare bird species

Harewood House, a country house in Harewood, West Yorkshire, England, is home to the Harewood Bird Garden, which houses over 40 rare bird species from around the world. The Bird Garden opened to the public in 1970 and has since been a place of conservation, education, and rehabilitation for birds confiscated from the illegal customs trade. The garden is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and participates in breeding programmes to support the conservation of endangered species.

The Bird Garden is home to a diverse range of birds, including the rare Bali starling, Humboldt penguins, Chilean flamingos, parrots, cockatoos, and many more. The enclosures are designed to prioritise the privacy and comfort of the birds, with plenty of cover and space to hide. The garden also features a condor exhibit, where the large birds can utilise the steep hillside to move around naturally.

The Bird Garden is just one part of the Harewood House experience, which also includes the Himalayan Garden, home to rare plants and the UK's only Buddhist Stupa. The house itself is a country house built between 1759 and 1771 for Edwin Lascelles, the 1st Baron Harewood, and is known for its exquisite architecture, interior design, and art collections. The grounds of Harewood House span 1,000 acres and were designed by the renowned landscape architect Lancelot "Capability" Brown.

The Harewood Bird Garden offers a unique and educational experience, providing visitors with the opportunity to see and learn about rare and endangered bird species from around the world. The garden's commitment to conservation and the well-being of its avian residents makes it a valuable contributor to the global effort to protect and preserve these vulnerable species.

The house has a magnificent music room

Harewood House, a country house in Harewood, West Yorkshire, England, is a magnificent estate with a rich history. The house was built between 1759 and 1771 for Edwin Lascelles, the 1st Baron Harewood, by architects John Carr and Robert Adam. It has been home to the Lascelles family for generations and is currently occupied by the 8th Earl of Harewood, David Lascelles, and his family.

The house boasts a magnificent music room, a grand and elegant space that showcases the finest craftsmanship and artistic talent of its time. The room features a stunning chandelier, elaborate torchères, and exquisite furniture by Thomas Chippendale, including mirrors, pier tables, sofas, and chairs. The music room is a masterpiece of design, with intricate plasterwork and geometric patterns on the ceiling that mirror the pattern of the Axminster carpet below.

The neo-classical style of Robert Adam is evident in the music room, with subtle mauve paint shades in the cornice echoing the evening clouds in Antonio Zucchi's huge Mediterranean landscape paintings. Angelica Kauffman, one of the first female members of the Royal Academy of Arts, painted the roundels in the music room ceiling. The collaboration between Adam and Kauffman adds to the beauty and significance of this space.

The music room also displays a large painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, a close friend of Angelica Kauffman, depicting Mrs Hale, sister-in-law of the 1st Earl, as Euphrosyne, one of the Three Graces. This painting holds a prominent position over the fireplace, adding to the grandeur of the room.

The Harewood House music room is a testament to the vision of Edwin Lascelles, who spared no expense to create a space that blends beauty and functionality. It is a room where one can imagine musical evenings and elegant gatherings, contributing to the rich history and charm of this English country estate.

The exterior of the house was designed by Lancelot Capability Brown

Harewood House is a country house in Harewood, West Yorkshire, England. The exterior of the house was designed by architects John Carr and Robert Adam, while the exterior designer Lancelot "Capability" Brown was responsible for the landscape. Built between 1759 and 1771, the house was commissioned by Edwin Lascelles, 1st Baron Harewood, a wealthy West Indian plantation owner and slave owner.

Lancelot "Capability" Brown was a visionary landscape gardener, considered one of the most important in Georgian England. His reputation preceded him, and his naturalistic style appealed to Edwin Lascelles, who wanted only the finest craftsmen for his new home. Brown's plans for the parkland were accepted in 1775, and the transformation of the landscape began. The functional farmland was turned into romantic, idealised vistas, featuring a 32-acre serpentine lake, a cascade, and encircling carriage drives.

Brown's immense vision took six years to complete, and his work at Harewood spanned 1,000 acres. The landscape he created remains unchanged since its creation in the late 18th century. Visitors can walk the grounds and experience the soft, rolling hills and mature tree lines, just as Brown envisioned in the 1760s. His work at Harewood is considered one of his most important designs, celebrating his talent for ensuring that the gardens matched the grandeur of the house.

The exterior of Harewood House, designed by Carr and Adam, complements Brown's landscape. The house is a Grade I listed building, and the surrounding features, including the gardens and courtyard, have received similar recognition. The house has undergone some alterations over the years, including the addition of second storeys to the flanking wings by Sir Charles Barry in the 1840s to provide extra bedrooms. However, the essence of the original exterior design remains.

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