


Project Description
Holkham Hall is an 18th-century stately home set in rolling parkland, in the stunning coastal landscape of the North Norfolk coast. It was constructed in the Neo-Palladian style for the 1st Earl of Leicester by the architect William Kent, aided by Lord Burlington. Still a family home, shared with the public, the interiors are managed by the current Lord and Lady Leicester.
From its impressive Marble Hall and grand staircase Holkham opens up into a myriad of staterooms, containing rich velvets and sumptuous silks. In keeping with the 18th-century interior and fabric analysis, Humphries Weaving have had the pleasure of creating pure silk damask recreations for walling, festoon curtains and upholstery in striking crimson for the Landscape Room. Next door the Green State Closet has silk damask and plain lute in a deep olive green for the walling and festoon curtains.
The North State dinning room has the William Kent Cornucopia suite on display, which was reupholstered in Crimson silk damask as part of a loan agreement between Holkham Hall the Victoria and Albert museum and the Bard graduate centre New York.
Further William Kent furniture is on view on the Saloon upholstered this time in a silk and wool damask and accompanying glazed wool. The special design was originated by redrawing the original caffoy walling and matching to an appropriate colour tone found within the wall covering that harmonised between the brighter original and the faded crimson/plum as we see it today.
The Long Library, also known as the family library, has a more homely feeling and we developed cotton and wool damask curtains in russet red and champagne to compliment the tones of the room. We used a design unique to the Hall and retained an interesting trellis texture in the ground of the damask that could be seen on the original degraded curtains.
Further, the Manuscript Library, named so because it houses Holkham’s important collection of manuscripts and early books, has curtains of silk and wool damask in deep crimson. We also undertook an interesting project for the library chairs used for the Dukes Study. We developed trials of a silk and wool tissue quality, taking inspiration from the colour palettes of the rooms, particularly the rich warm leathers and gold embossing. These trials were left on display for visitors to feedback and vote for their favourites. The final selection has a subtle gold ground and warm conker brown figure.
Our site visits are always a pleasure and we have enjoyed hosting the volunteer guide team who have exceptional knowledge of the hall and its history.
Project References
The Saloon; 1626 /1627
William Kent Cornucopia Suite; 2345
The Landscape Room; 1012
The Green State Closet; 1035 / 1036
The Long Library; 2865
The Manuscript Library; 1521 / 3306