Leeds’ Most Lavish Room Reopens: The Chinese Drawing Room at Temple Newsam

Leeds’ most lavishly decorated historic room has reopened to the public following a meticulous winter restoration. Famous for its spectacular Chinese export wallpaper, the Chinese Drawing Room — also known as the Blue Drawing Room — owes much of its decoration to Lady Isabella Hertford, a prominent resident of the early 19th century.

The wallpaper itself was a gift from the Prince of Wales in 1807, later installed at Temple Newsam in the 1820s. Hung as large panels with silvered chinoiserie fretwork borders against a terracotta-pink ground, the scheme reflects the fascination with chinoiserie during the Georgian period.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, wallpaper suppliers often sent painted birds and butterflies to be added in situ. Lady Hertford, however, went further — cutting out birds from John James Audubon’s Birds of America, one of the most valuable books ever produced. A first edition recently sold at auction for a record £7.3 million.

Rachel Conroy, Temple Newsam’s new curator, explained:

“It’s such an extraordinary room, made all the more special because it was largely decorated by a former resident. Most of the furniture still on display was chosen by Lady Hertford herself.”

The restoration saw the room carefully emptied. Blinds and carpets were lifted, surfaces delicately cleaned with specialist brushes and miniature vacuums, antique furniture waxed and polished, giltwood mirrors shined, and the Chinese and Japanese ceramics gently dusted.

The Chinese Drawing Room is located on the ground floor of Temple Newsam House, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30am–5pm.

For more information, visit: Temple Newsam House