Kedleston Hall

Kedleston Hall is a large country house set within an extensive landscape park. Built between 1758 and 1765 by Matthew Brettingham, James Paine, and Robert Adam, with interiors completed by the 1780s, it exemplifies mid-Georgian Palladianism of the highest order. The house is constructed of red brick faced in ashlar and render, with hipped Welsh slate roofs and brick stacks largely concealed within roof wells.

The design follows Palladio's Villa Mocenigo, comprising a main rectangular block connected by quadrant colonnades to lower rectangular pavilions. The house rises through rusticated basement, piano nobile, and attic storeys.

The principal north front presents a centre block of eleven bays dominated by a hexastyle giant Corinthian portico standing over a basement of five round arches, with three statues crowning the pediment. A double staircase leads to the central doorway, flanked by niches containing statues. Above are medallions depicting vintage, pasturage, ploughing, and bear hunting, created in 1769 by William Collins. A dentilled cornice and blocking course complete the composition. On either side of the portico are three bays with square sash windows to the basement, glazing bar sashes in pedimented aedicules above, and rectangular attic windows with moulded surrounds. The quadrants flanking the main block lack an attic storey. The basement continues the round-arched arcade with inserted windows, glazing bar sashes above, and balustrading below the sills, the bays divided by Tuscan pilasters. Tripartite windows light the return walls. Identical pavilions, lower than the main block but similarly divided into basement, piano nobile, and attic storeys, are linked by the quadrants. Their upper storeys are cement rendered. Each pavilion presents five bays with four attached Ionic columns supporting a pediment, with fenestration similar to the main block but featuring plain surrounds.

The south front comprises three-three-three bays and derives its centrepiece from the Arch of Constantine. Four detached Corinthian columns stand close to antae and wall pilasters, each carrying its own entablature section with statues above, set before an attic inscribed with the date 1765 and crowned by a shallow lead dome. A double staircase with sharply curved flights precedes the central doorway, which features a pedimented Corinthian aedicule set within a blind round arch and flanked by niches with statues and medallions, matching those on the north front. A frieze of swags and medallions rises above. The outer bays receive similar but less grand treatment to those on the north front. The east and west elevations present 2-3-2 bays treated more simply, with Venetian windows marking the central features; the west Venetian window was blocked at an early date. The pavilions' south elevations are plainer, with the three central bays advanced beneath a pediment.

The interior is arranged with supreme sophistication. The main entrance opens into the magnificent Marble Hall, measuring approximately 67 feet by 37 feet and 40 feet high, encompassing the attic storey. Two rows of giant Corinthian columns of pink Nottinghamshire alabaster rise within; these were fluted in 1775 against Robert Adam's advice. A frieze and coved ceiling display delicate stucco decoration by Joseph Rose, executed to designs by George Richardson. The Hoptonwood stone floor features Adamsian inlay. Niches punctuate the walls, containing casts of antique sculpture, while grisaille panels of Homeric subjects occupy the spaces above. Chimneypieces with elaborate overmantles by Rose incorporate painted roundels.

Beyond the Marble Hall, in the relationship of atrium to vestibulum, lies the saloon—a full-height domed rotunda with apsed niches at the corners to address the square outer walls. A coffered dome with central skylight crowns the space. Pedimented doorcases with blue scagliola pilasters frame the entries. An anthemion and palmette frieze decorates the upper walls, while painted panels depicting ruins by Gavin Hamilton and grisaille panels of scenes of British Worthies by J B Rebecca occupy the walls. Four cast iron vases on pedestals—two serving as stoves—stand in the corner niches.

The Music Room features Ionic doorcases and a delicate Adam-designed plaster ceiling. Its marble chimneypiece is inlaid with Blue John. The State Drawing Room, lit by a Venetian window to the east, displays Corinthian-order alabaster window and door surrounds. A chimneypiece by Spang depicts virtue rewarded by honour and riches. The Library presents a severe Roman Doric doorcase, Adam-designed bookcases, and a plaster ceiling divided into octagonal patterns with a triglyph frieze.

Beyond the saloon lies the principal Dressing Room, also called the State Boudoir, preceded by an anteroom. A tripartite screen with pierced segmental arch divides the two spaces. The ceiling features delicate plaster work. A chimneypiece was brought in circa 1908. The State Bedroom displays similar decoration and a fine chimneypiece. The Wardrobe, also called the Dressing Room, adjoins and communicates with the Dining Room. The Dining Room features an apse at its west end flanked by stucco medallions by William Collins. Its ceiling displays painted panels by Zucchi (continents), Hamilton (seasons), and Moorland (centre). A chimneypiece with termini caryatids by Spang concludes the room.

The main staircase rises from the Marble Hall, a cantilvered stone structure ascending around a rectangular well with carved tread ends, wrought iron balusters, and a delicate wreathed and ramped handrail. Stucco panels date from 1924. The staircase ascends to semi-state bedrooms with plain coved ceilings, dentil cornicing, and plain marble chimneypieces. Some doors may be reused from the earlier hall. Three additional cantilvered stone staircases with stick balusters serve other areas. Beneath the Marble Hall a low hall contains two rows of stone columns and two rows of iron columns inserted in 1806.

The north-west pavilion contains the kitchens and service rooms, while the north-east pavilion houses the family apartments.