Eltham Palace

A Time-Capsule of Private Opulence

Just a short train ride from Waterloo Station will transport you back to the 1930s. In a home that could be the set for The Great Gatsby. Picture ladies in shimmering gowns and waved hair. Men in black tie and polished shoes. An elegant party of guests sipping pre-dinner martinis in the most glamorous room of the house. 

Making an Entrance 

A large room with a glass domed rooflight, flooding the space with natural light. The rich blackbean veneer walls signal a sense of luxury to those entering the room, while at the same time they add warmth and a welcoming feeling. The marquetry panels with Mediterranean and Scandinavian themes are a reference to the host's love of culture and travelling. 

Next time you visit, notice how the round rooflight, round carpet and curved wall panels give the impression that the room is circular, while it is in fact triangular in plan. I had to check the drawings to convince myself! 

It is a space carefully designed to function as a cocktail lounge but with the intention to impress friends - and rivals - of the family. 

Preserving a Piece of History

Millionaires Stephen and Virginia Courtauld (Ginie for her friends), from the famous family of art collectors, built the house in the 1930s on the grounds of a Tudor palace. In fact, the original 15th-century Great Hall was incorporated into the house and was used for music concerts and entertainment.  Another opportunity to - quietly - show off. 

Private Luxury

However, opulence and comfort were not just for social theatre. They were woven into the lifestyle of the Courtaulds, even in spaces hidden from guests’ eyes. The theme of lavish ‘30s cruise-liner style of the entrance hall continues in Ginie's bedroom with curved veneered walls and symmetry. Yet the most flamboyant feature of the house is concealed in the most private of spaces. A gold-lined niche with the statue of Psyche frames her onyx bath perfectly in the en-suite bathroom. An extravagant touch of exclusivity that feels almost royal.   

But of course, beyond the design features and the rich materials, for the Courtaulds, luxury was above all about comfort. They enlisted every state-of-the-art technological innovation of the time to the comfort of their family and their guests. Today, we take for granted conveniences such as underfloor heating, audio systems in every room, electric fires or even a private internal telephone system. And perhaps, above all else, the guests would have been particularly grateful for the en-suite bathrooms in every room, with readily available hot water that allowed everyone to have a bath simultaneously before dinner. 

Today, Eltham Palace is considered one of the finest examples of Art Deco interiors in Britain. But most importantly, it is a time capsule of an era that ended abruptly with the eruption of the Second World War. For us, visiting almost a century later, it is preserved as the symbol of a lifestyle that valued beauty and a sense of ceremony even in the most private daily moments. 

In the 21st century, we have conquered technology and achieved convenience in our homes, while managing our hectic schedules in our commute or our working-from-home rituals. 

But perhaps what we are still looking for is comfort. And above all, beauty! 

Wear a Piece of Inspiration

Follow the link below to explore our Art Deco inspired Pocket Square: 

DECO RADIANCE | Luxury Silk Pocket Square

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