Get the Look: The Decor of England’s Hardwick Hall

Our newsletter coverage of Ralph Lauren’s Hardwick Hall collection, which is based on the actual country estate of former English royalty, has inspired us to check out what the actual spot looks like. Its Renaissance architecture and interiors, which have been beautifully maintained throughout the decades, have us pining for rich damasks and tapestries. Check out Hardwick Hall and ways to incorporate the look of royalty into your home:

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, built 1590-1597

Hardwick Hall Blueprint, First Floor

 

The High Great Chamber

Hardwick Hall was built for Bess of Hardwick, who, through a series of strategic marriages, came to be one of the richest people in England. She would often dine in the High Great Chamber, as if a queen, surrounded by breathtaking plasterwork frieze featuring figures of Roman goddesses in a forest with animals. Today, the freize still looms above a rich black floral canopy.

High Great Chamber

Lee Jofa Fabric – Glen Tapestry – Forest

The High Great Chamber, Hardwick Hall

Ralph Lauren Fabric – Isabel Embroidery – Cinder

Ralph Lauren Fabric – Castleton Damask – Umber

The Green Velvet Room

William Cavendish, the 6th Duke of Devonshire, inherited Harwick Hall in 1811. Known as ‘The Bachelor Duke’, he had a particular fondness for entertaining and lavish decor. The Duke restored the fabric interiors of Hardwick Hall and also brought in modern pieces which were furnishings from his previous home, including gorgeous 18th century canopy beds with silk bedding.

Early 18th Century Bed in Green Velvet Room

Lee Jofa Fabric – Mansfield Linen – Woodland

Ralph Lauren Fabric – Castleton Damask – Dusk

Ralph Lauren Fabric – Chancery Velvet – Peat

Four Poster Bed in Cut Velvet Bedroom

Vervain Fabric – Bracknell – Doe

Duralee Fabric – 89188-264 Goldenrod

Kravet Fabric – 8486 – 333

Ralph Lauren Fabric – Gilded Canvas – Candlelight

Cole & Son Wallpaper – Library Panel – Charcoal

The Long Gallery

The Long Gallery is the largest room in Hardwick Hall, featuring the plasterwork detail on the ceiling and even more intricate molding. Below we see a luxurious canopy of red damask and ornate carvings. Further down the gallery are paintings of royals set in gold frames and hung on a wall of tapestry, which the Duke also added to the space, making it much like an art gallery.

The Long Gallery

Graham & Brown Small Squares Paintable Wallpaper

Cole & Son Wallpaper Border – Georgian Border – White

Fabricut Fabric – Aura – Ruby

Ralph Lauren Fabric – Alethea Damask – Sterling

The Long Gallery

Andrew Martin Wallpaper – Gallery – Red

The Drawing Room

Not all of the items at Hardwick Hall today are originals from the space. The drawing room does contain elements that may have been at Hardwick, with the overall intention being to evoke a country house effect with antiqued florals and wood panel frieze.

The Drawing Room

Ralph Lauren Fabric – Hathersage Floral – Thistle LCF66147F

Cole & Son Wallpaper – Library Frieze – Bark Linen

Related Articles:

Behind the Collection: Cole & Son’s Historic Royal Palaces

Regal & Refined Decorating

#Fabric Friday: Historic Royal Estates

Photo Sources (in order of appearance):

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8