THE KING'S HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 36, 11 August 1936, Page 15

THE KING'S HOUSE

MODEL OF GOOD TASTE

AN ALL-EMPIRE HOME

All that is best in British architecture, furnishing, and workmanship is reflected in every part and corner of "The King's House," which was informally handed over to his Majesty ;on July 8 (states a correspondent of the "Sydney Morning Herald").

This model dwelling, which has cost £50,000 to complete, was the jubilee gift of the Royal Warrant Holders' Association to King George—a present entirely at his own disposal. As fate would have it, King George died long before the house was built, and so it has passed into the ftands of his son.

Described as a "temple of modern architecture," "The King's House" occupies a wooded site at Burhill, Surrey, and its happy occupants, in days to come, will awake each morning to the singing of birds, and will rest, at night, in an atmosphere of perfect peace, redolent with the perfume of a glorious garden. We do not yet know the identity of those fortunate mortals, for his Majesty has made no announcement, but everybody assumes that they will be members of the family of a man who has deserved well of his King and country. . THE KING'S VISIT. After praising a panel by Mr. Frank Brangwyn in the study, and being shown a hidden cocktail cabinet in the wall, the King was conducted over. the remainder of the house by Sir Duncan Watson and Lord Herbert Scott. His Majesty remarked on the fact that eyery room in the house had an electric clock, and. nearly every room its own loud-speaker hidden in the wall. He went into the kitchen, the walls and ceiling of which are made from stainless steel, and he examined the big gas cooking stove fitted with a self-lighting electrical device. Upstairs the King went into the principal bedroom, the principal guestroom,, and the second guest-room, which is called the "Margaret Rose" room, because it is decorated in a shade of rose pink, called after the King's niece.

His Majesty admired the principal bathroom, walled in amber glass, and examined the dressing-room, which has an electrical device with opens the wardrobe automatically at the touch of a switch. .

"The choicest of materials from all parts of the Empire have been used to make-the house the embodiment of everything that is dignified and in perfect taste. ' .

A spacious inner hall," serving a double purpose, passes through the house from the entrance. One marblefloored portion accommodates the principal staircase, which is limed oak, and has a handsome wrought-iron balustrade with a bronze handrail.

The other part, reached by descending two small steps, is floored with Queensland walnut and carpeted in the centre with a simple, self-coloured rug of an oval shape.

This part' serves as a communicating space between the drawing and diningrooms, and is furnished simply with two ornamented chairs and glass jardinieres. • ,

Near the main staircase is the study —one'of the cosiest rooms in the house, which, as English country houses go, resembles a cottage rather than a mansion. JENGLANp'S SYLVAN BEAUXX. As the Warrant Holders said in their address to the King, they had sought "by the.choice of a site in the midst of England's sylvan beauty, and of a dignified architectural design, and by faithful building' arid furnishing to make this a home worthy of its intended purpose. Throughout, Britfish skill, has worked with zealous care to attain the highest degree of craftsmanship., Nothing has entered into its construction, equipment, or furnishing which is not a product of your Majesty's Empire and the .gift of some member of the Royal Warrant Holders' Association. We trust that 'The King's House1 will have your Majesty's gracious approval; and that it will long endure as a ■ testimony of the loyal gratitude which we, in ■common with all your.Majesty's subjects., cherish for the great Monarch whose faithful and dutiful wisdom safely guided his people through many trials during 25 fateful years" . .