Belmont House and Gardens

The Belmont estate has been home to five generations of the Harris family since the house was built in the mid-eighteenth century. The views from the Regency house and gardens capture the essence of Kentish North Downs.

The Textile Conservancy was commissioned to undertake the repair and renewal of curtains from several rooms as well as the refurbishment of one of the main bedrooms.

In addition to conservation of existing loose seat covers formed from early 20th century chintz, new curtains and pelmets were made for the undressed windows. Decorative cushions were created to bring together the elements of the interior.

The applied motifs on the new curtains reflect the Indian craftmanship that Lady Lucy Ada Harris brought to the bedroom in the early 20th century.

The last member of the Harris family to inhabit the room had travelled to India and the rich textile heritage of the continent was brought back to Belmont in some of the objects found within the room.

The refurbishment enhances the opulence of the period and style.
The four poster bed with the back curtain and side curtains removed for cleaning and repair.
For the bed, a new back-curtain was created using silk taffeta; the splits in the loose cover for the armchair were repaired, a new seat pad was added. Silk covered cushions bring together the bed and armchair.