QUEEN'S NEW HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1936, Page 18

QUEEN'S NEW HOME

PERSONAL SUPERVISION

Every morning at 10.30 a large green limousine drives through the gates' of Marlborough' House in Pall Mall, Policemen salute, and passers-by who catch a glimpse of the grey-haired, erect woman sitting inside, doff their hats.. .It is Queen Mary, going; to .inspect ;the preparation of her new, home; states a correspondent of the Sydney "Sun." ■.-.,.■.-■■ ■ :

1 Queen Mary is taking the closest per ? sonal interest in every detail of the work of getting the two hundred rooms, of the great red brick mansion, ready for occupation in the middle of September. • ■:.....

Every day at Buckingham -^Palace; she interviews designers and. experts, and .officials 'from the .Office, of WprkSi who have charge of the alterar tions,^ as Maryborough : House is< : the property of the Crown.■■;'...:'V'. y-.-^''■'' .■

She has made a' score pf visits to West End stores to select new .curtains and carpets, hangings and decorations, and has made innumerable telephone calls herself to tradesmen, because she believes, in choosing every thing,-. herself, and not leaving it to others. ! :;

...:> Certain-parts of Marlborpugh House are being furnished in. the modern manner. Other parts, are being left almost exactly as they were when the first Du,chess of Maryborough moved into, her new house in 1709.

In the State rooms,, the Queen has had the scarlet: and, green damask wall coverings renewed, and for her:.own private sitting-room on. the iflrst floor she has decided on walls hung in silk of an exquisite pale green.

' Four magnificent chandeliers of pure crystal in the great entrance saloon— and three more in -the' Red Drawing Room—the principal State room—have been taken down, and every piece of crystal separately cleaned. ■■ .

One of the most modern notes introduced by Queen Mary is the provision of telephones in; every room in the house. .■.■•• .

The Queen is retaining one of her greatest treasures, a.miniature of her eldest i son, King Edward, done when he was six. Queen Mary has always taken the little painting with her wherever she has gone. :