ELLE-DECOR-JET-SET Style

OFTEN DESCRIBED as the most beautiful house in Ireland, Russborough is certainly the longest: Its granite façade stretches 700 feet. Designed by German-born architect Richard Castle, the Palladian building dates from the 1740s and was commissioned by Joseph Leeson, whose father had made a fortune in brewing and property speculation. On coming into his inheritance, Leeson decided to buy himself both a seat in parliament and a seat in the country, in County Wicklow. Soon Russborough was filled with treasures acquired during Lee- son’s two Grand Tours across mainland Europe. The rooms in which these were displayed offer outstanding examples of 18th-century Irish craftsmanship, with mahogany parquet flooring and elaborate plasterwork covering ceilings and even walls—all on shining display since 1978, when the property first opened to the public. As befitted the owner of such a house, Leeson decided to acquire a title, becoming Earl of Milltown in 1763. Two decades later he died, in the words of a contemporary, “extremely rich, an old debauchee.” His successors were, without exception, less colorful: The death of the seventh and final Earl of Milltown, in 1891, went almost without ELLEDECOR.COM 151

In the dining room, 20th-century lacquer-and– parcel-gilt chairs in the style of Giles Grendey surround an 18th-century mahogany table; the gilt-wood consoles, attributed to William Kent, are from the same period, the Louis XIV tapestry depicts formal gardens, and the walls are hand tinted with casein paint. FACING PAGE, FROM TOP: The plasterwork above the first-floor landing dates from the mid-1750s. The George II console in the drawing room is flanked by a pair of 1794 chairs, the plasterwork is Baroque, and the 18th-century seascape is one of a quar- tet by Claude-Joseph Vernet.

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Baroque stucco, thought to be the work of Irish apprentices, lines the walls sur- rounding the 18th-century mahogany staircase; the chandelier is Georgian. FACING PAGE: In the tapestry room, the English State bed and settees, all cov- ered in matching silk, were made in 1794 by Wilson’s of the Strand; the mahogany- and-brass center table is Regency.

notice. At the start of the 20th century, Russborough passed into the nings in the dining room complete with “superb silver, the Waterford hands of a distant Leeson relative who preferred to remain in Eng- glass, the tall candles, and, as I remember, at least two liveried foot- land. Eventually the estate was acquired by Colonel Denis Daly, and men in blue tailcoats, yellow waistcoats, and shining brass buttons.” it remained in his family’s possession until 1952. Overseeing the ceaseless festive activities was John Pollard, Russ- That August an advertisement in Country Life magazine heralding borough’s butler for more than 40 years. Among the Beit papers are the sale of the historic property was spotted by Sir Alfred Beit, who Pollard’s daily instructions from Sir Alfred tactfully advising on the had long been interested in the estate. Together with his wife, Cle- idiosyncrasies of individual guests, as well as indicating the correct mentine, a first cousin of the famous Mitford sisters, Beit restored pronunciation of names and titles. not just the fabric but also the spirit of the old house, replenishing its The Beits had no children and, in 1976, established a charitable trust rooms with glorious paintings, such as the only Vermeer then still in to ensure that the landmark’s future would never again be in doubt. Sir private hands, along with works by Goya, Velázquez, Rubens, Frans Alfred died in 1994, his wife 11 years later. Their finest paintings were Hals, and Gainsborough. donated to the National Gallery of Ireland; some others were stolen The Beits were glamorous, and their parties and entertaining were (and recovered) in a series of robberies. But a majority of the works legendary, chronicled in a succession of fat leather-bound albums. remain in place—along with exquisite pieces of furniture, tapestries, English historian John Julius Norwich, a regular guest, recalls eve- silver, and porcelain—as they have been for more than 250 years. ◾ ELLEDECOR.COM 155

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RESOURCES TALENT PAGE 119: Antique Chippendale chairs from Westenholz PAGE 62: Atlas Industries (845-391-8855; atlaseast.com). Antiques, upholstered in Gentleman wool-polyester, in tomate, #F2250, to the trade from Pierre Frey (212-421- TREND ALERT 0534; pierrefrey.com). Sofa upholstered in Persan cotton, PAGE 72: Oxblood calfskin bag, $2,995, from fall 2013, in ecru, #31688-5, by Charles Burger, to the trade by Burberry Prorsum (212-407-7100; burberry.com). from Clarence House (800-803-2850; clarencehouse.com). Union Square burlap wallcovering and Soho Square burlap Custom-made tatami mat by Westenholz Antiques. Get (631-283-3101; crezana.com). Luna Globe chandelier, $6,800, (888-511-1121; farrow-ball.com). PAGE 120: Walls painted in Suffield Green by Farrow & Ball wallcovering, both to the trade from Crezana Design by Downtown (310-652-7461; downtown20.net). Rivets hemp wallcovering, in gold on navy, #5700, to the trade MOROCCO MODERNE from Phillip Jeffries (973-575-5414; phillipjeffries.com). PAGES 122–27: Samuel and Caitlin Dowe-Sandes of Rosewood-and-metal bangles, $850 ea., by Sorab & Roshi Popham Design (323-906-9556; pophamdesign.com). more (203-869-5800; sorabandroshi.com). Dalia stool, $600, PAGE 122: Loft floor lamps by Jieldé (jieldeusa.com). by Arteriors (877-488-8866; arteriorshome.com). New Fretwork-on-Four cement tiles by Popham Design. Safari camp chair, $5,025, by Ralph Lauren Home (888- PAGE 123: In entryway, ZigZag-on-Four cement tiles by 475-7674; ralphlaurenhome.com). Neoprene eyelet trench Popham Design. PAGE 126: Aperture light fixture by Claire Norcross for coat, $10,000, from fall 2013, by Burberry Prorsum. Studded convex mirror, $6,300, by Blackman Cruz (323- PAGE 127: In master bedroom, Lanterne Fil de Fer by 466-8600; blackmancruz.com). Stud Stripe jute burlap Luminosity (011-44-845-465-5050; luminosityimports.com). wallcovering, in ivory/silver, #5006110, by Celerie Kemble Paola Navone for Bladi Design from 33 Rue Majorelle decor! for Schumacher (800-523-1200; fschumacher.com). (011-212-5243-14195; 33ruemajorelle.com). Malabar Hill shoe, $1,095, by Christian Louboutin (212- RESTORED TO GLORY 279-7365; christianlouboutin.fr). Caroline console, PAGES 128–35: Landscape design by Louis Benech (011-33- $3,285, by Celerie Kemble for Henredon (800-444-3682; henredon.com). Lucente nailhead trim, in antique silver on ivory, #977-52102-815, to the trade from Samuel & Sons 1-42-01-04-00; louisbenech.com). (212-204-9648; samuelandsons.com). Stella Bead linen, COLLECTED WISDOM #1260816-0017, by Ankasa for Beacon Hill (800-333-3777; PAGE 139: Walls covered in Malabar wallpaper, beaconhilldesign.com). #66-1004, by Cole & Son, to the trade from Lee Jofa (800-453-3563; leejofa.com). RSVP PAGE 141: Walls covered in Chinese Toile, in red, PAGE 74: Vacheron Constantin #7948-01, by Colefax and Fowler, to the trade from (vacheron-constantin.com). Los Angeles County Museum Cowtan & Tout (212-647-6900; cowtan.com). of Art (323-857-6000; lacma.org). HIGH-WIRE ACT SHORTLIST PAGES 142–47: Interior design by Stéphane Ghestem PAGE 76: Bjarke Ingels of Bjarke Ingels Group (212- (011-33-6-69-43-75-75; abstrakt-architecture.com). 255-2788; big.dk). Yes is More by Bjarke Ingels from Taschen PAGES 142–43: Kilt sofas by Zanotta (011-39- (taschen.com). Copenhagen bike by Biomega 0362-4981; zanotta.it). Curtains of cotton velvet, in (011-45-7022-4919; biomega.dk). LEGO (800-835-4386; jade green, #700000N0, to the trade from lego.com). Wired (wired.com). Winter tie by Company Pontoglio (011-39-030-747-9511; pontoglio.it). (com-pa-ny.com). Twelve wristwatch by Issey Miyake PAGES 144–45: By the staircase, vintage glassware from (isseymiyake.com). Brick sofa by Bjarke Ingels for The End of History (212-647-7598; Kibisi (011-45-2197-7211; kibisi.com). Stetson-style hard theendofhistoryshop.blogspot.com). hat by Occunomix (800-466-0071; occunomix.com). PAGE 146: In master bath, Peep Show tiles by Yvan Mispelaere for Ugly Edition from Saint UNCONVENTIONAL WISDOM Honoré Wallcoverings (011-33-6-68-41-22-44; PAGE 82: Anouska Hempel of Anouska Hempel Design sainthonorewallcoverings.com). (011-44-20-7938-1515; anouskahempeldesign.com). DE SIGN + DECO R ATE IRISH HERITAGE TRUTH IN DECORATING PAGES 148–55: Russborough House (011-353-45-865-239; PAGES 84–86: Barrie Benson of Barrie Benson Interior russborough.ie). Design (704-366-9916; barriebenson.com). Stefan Steil of Steilish (646-369-8496; steilish.com). RE MODE L + RE NOVATE DANIEL’S DISH ELLE DECOR (ISSN 1046-1957) Volume 24, Number 7, September PAGES 96–98: Daniel Boulud of restaurant Daniel 2013, is published monthly except bimonthly in January/February and July/August, 10 times a year, by Hearst Communications, Inc., 300 (danielnyc.com). West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019 U.S.A. Steven R. Swartz, PAGE 96: Convivio dinner plate, $107, and Gabriella President & Chief Executive Officer; William R. Hearst III, Chairman; SHOP P I NG flatware, $298/6-pc. place setting; both by Match from Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman; Catherine A. Bostron, Didriks (617-354-5700; didriks.com). Amadeo Fringed Secretary; Ronald J. Doerfer, Senior Vice President, Finance And napkin, in yellow, $25, and Reme tablecloth, in yellow, $30; Administration. Hearst Magazines Division: David Carey, President; John P. Loughlin, Executive Vice President And General Manager; both by William Yeoward Crystal (800-818-8484; John A. Rohan, Jr., Senior Vice President, Finance. © 2013 by Hearst williamyeowardcrystal.com). Sackett wine glass, $35, by CEL EB R I T Y S T Y L E Ralph Lauren Home (888-475-7674; ralphlaurenhome Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ELLE DECOR is a registered trademark of Hearst Communications, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at .com). PAGE 98: Garlic chopping block, $249, by N.Y., N.Y., and additional mailing offices. Canada Post International Hudson Grace (415-440-7400; hudsongracesf.com). Publications mail product (Canadian distribution) sales agreement No. 40012499. Editorial and Advertising Offices: 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019. Subscription prices: United States and possessions: ALL THINGS CONSIDERED E NTE R TAINING + TR AV E L $15 for one year. Canada: $41 for one year. All other countries: $60 for PAGES 114–21: Interior design by François-Joseph one year. Subscription Services: ELLE DECOR will, upon receipt of a Graf (011-33-1-44-42-02-22; francoisjosephgraf.com). complete subscription order, undertake fulfillment of that order so as PAGES 114–15: Antique desk from Westenholz to provide the first copy for delivery by the Postal Service or alternate Antiques (011-44-20-7824-8090; westenholz.co.uk). carrier within 4–6 weeks. From time to time, we make our subscriber DE SIGNER R EGIS T RY Antique mirror from Carlton Hobbs (212-423-9000; list available to companies who sell goods and services by mail that we believe would interest our readers. If you would rather not receive carltonhobbs.com). Curtains of Arbaud Ticking cotton, such mailings, please send your current mailing label or an exact copy in navy, #LCF65525F, by Ralph Lauren Home (888- to Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 6000, Harlan, IA 51593. For customer 475-7674; ralphlaurenhome.com). service, changes of address, and subscription orders, write to Customer PAGES 116–17: Ashby wool rug by Roger Oates (011-44- Service Dept., ELLE DECOR, P.O. Box 37870, Boone, IA 50037. ELLE LO OK BOOK 20-7351-2288; rogeroates.com). DECOR is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or art. None will be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped PAGE 118: In dining room, antique bookcase from envelope. Canadian registration number 126018209RT0001. Westenholz Antiques. Antique library table from Robert POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to ELLE DECOR, P.O. Box Kime (011-44-20-7831-6066; robertkime.com). 37870, Boone, IA 50037. Printed in the U.S.A.

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