Kensington Palace Gardens, one of the most prestigious residential [...]]]> One of our recent projects has been the restoration of a number of fine oriental rugs at 14 Kensington Palace Gardens. This house has been the official residence of the Finnish Ambassador since 1952 and this is a welcome new client for Designcare in 2009.

Kensington Palace Gardens, one of the most prestigious residential streets in the world. It is home to many embassies and diplomatic residences as well as Kensington Palace, where several members of the British Royal Family live.

Brief History

This beautiful house was designed and built by Thomas Cubitt in 1850 and by June 1851, the house became occupied. The lease, for 100 ft of frontage at an annual rent of £75, was granted to Edmund Antrobus in January 1852, and he lived here until his death in 1886. The ground lease was subsequently sold at auction for £8,100 to Henry Solomon of Inverness Terrace, Bayswater.

In 2007 the historic building was sympathetically renovated, drawing inspiration from the Nordic ideals of light and space, giving it a fresh, elegant look.

The residence provides a gracious setting for the Finnish diplomatic representation in the United Kingdom. Decoration of the building, including its various beautiful details, highlights the culture of Finland.

Bridgewater House was designed by Sir Charles Barry (of Houses of Parliament [...]]]> An interesting project we are working on this winter is the maintenance of the carpets throughout one of the finest period buildings in London. Designcare have been commissioned to restore the high quality hand tufted carpets at Bridgewater House in St James.

Bridgewater House was designed by Sir Charles Barry (of Houses of Parliament fame) in Italian renaissance style for the Earl of Ellesmere, and completed in the early 1860s. The Earl was the principal heir of the third Duke of Bridgewater (1736-1803), who added greatly to his fortune by building the first important canals in England.

The current owners of Bridgewater House have been loyal clients of Designcare for the past 20 years.