Story Search Results

Behind the green baize door #47

...pool and snooker tables showing off their red and green baize cloth. Baize was also used as clothing for monks, nuns and soldiers as it was very warm and hard wearing. Is there no end to the talents of this serviceable cloth? The green baize door was usually at the end of a long corridor leading from the kitchens, which were strategically placed at one end of the house for deliveries from the kitchen garden and home farm. Long before labour-saving devices, servants staggered up staircases with hot water for baths and coal for the many fireplaces. When you went through the green baize door it was like entering another world – a hive of activity and busyness,...

Growing up in a stately home #1

...as a huge snooker table complete with balls and cues. My dad decided to sell this as we didn’t need it but what a job it was carrying it down corridors and staircases to get it out of the house! I can see why it stayed! These were the only two things that had been left behind – the rest of the house was completely empty apart from lots of dust and spiders!   The row of servants bells in the attic   Back down in the basement were all the old kitchens including the Boot Boy’s room, laundry room, pantries and sculleries. Along the wall of the passageway was a row of bells (see picture above) and the names of the rooms to which they belonged – thes...

My Dad Bought A Mansion! #1

...as a huge snooker table complete with balls and cues.  My dad decided to sell this as we didn’t need it but what a job it was carrying it down corridors and staircases to get it out of the house!  I can see why it stayed!  These were the only two things that had been left behind – the rest of the house was completely empty apart from lots of dust and spiders! Back down in the basement were all the old kitchens including the Boot Boy’s room, laundry room, pantries and sculleries.  Along the wall of the passageway was a row of bells and the names of the rooms to which they belonged – these were here so that the servants could be summoned to do their m...

My Dad Bought a Mansion #1

...as a huge snooker table complete with balls and cues. My dad decided to sell this as we didn’t need it but what a job it was carrying it down corridors and staircases to get it out of the house! I can see why it stayed! These were the only two things that had been left behind – the rest of the house was completely empty apart from lots of dust and spiders! Back down in the basement were all the old kitchens including the Boot Boy’s room, laundry room, pantries and sculleries. Along the wall of the passageway was a row of bells and the names of the rooms to which they belonged – these were here so that the servants could be summoned to do their master’...

The Origins of the Stately Home #39

...Why are stately homes so called? Stately home actually means 'a large impressive old house with interesting history and usually visited by the public.' Well, I suppose they do look very 'stately' for a start but these houses were also a status symbol for the great families of England, who competed with each other to provide hospitality for the royal household who would travel around England meeting their subjects. Stately homes were huge mansions which were always beautiful and the epitome of perfect architecture, often designed by famous architects of the day. The gardens too would be perfectly landscaped to show balance, variety, sequence and colour. One of t...

Behind the Green Baize Door #41

...pool and snooker tables showing off their red and green baize cloth.  Baize was also used as clothing for monks, nuns and soldiers as it was very warm and hard wearing. Is there no end to the talents of this serviceable cloth? A typical green baize door (in need of TLC!)   The green baize door was usually at the end of a long corridor leading from the kitchens, which were strategically placed at one end of the house for deliveries from the kitchen garden and home farm. Long before labour-saving devices, servants staggered up staircases with hot water for baths and coal for the many fireplaces. When you went through the green baize door it was like ent...