Artist Volker Kuhn couldn’t believe his luck when… Hubert bought his entire collection of 200 pieces at the Plus One Plus Two exhibition in London. The guest rooms and corridors brim with Kuhn’s art.
They’re often voted as Britain’s sexiest bedrooms because… of the Perspex and glass four–poster beds, decadent chaise–longues and working open fires.
So that moisture doesn’t ruin bathroom art… pictures are printed onto plywood so the moisture doesn’t destroy the image.
You’ve got to laugh at… the monochrome life–size giraffe photograph that peers over the mansion’s original 19th century wooden staircase. It’s more akin to Soho, than a country mansion.
Special furniture commissions include… the stools made from timber salvaged from the estate’s hurricane felled trees.
The potting sheds have been redesigned... to create a shabby chic lounge and dining area; they still feature many of the original fixtures and fittings from days gone by when the room was used to grow fruit and plants.
The famous blue lounge was designed around… the blue cobalt Murano chandelier that was salvaged from Hubert’s friend’s garage and restored.
To eliminate echoes… walls are covered with a dark blue/ grey silk padding in the blue lounge. The heavy curtains are a dark turquoise satin, the floorboards are painted a moody black and reflective mirrors face the French windows.
Despite its proximity to the capital... there are 300 acres on the estate 7ndash; there is a walled garden, canal, river, manicured gardens, heart–shaped box hedge, formal gardens and a sunken box garden.
Curiously, the garden pools have been dyed black to… create better reflections – and get rid of algae.
Giant walnuts, apples and pears… created by The Landscape Ornament Company in Wiltshire nestle in the formal garden.
You can’t miss… the Sun Catchers in the water garden which are sparkling open flower glass sculptures on great metal stalks that ‘grow out of the water’ by Neil Wilkin.
The talking point of the formal gardens is… Wilkin’s Glass Tree hung with glass hearts.
Former guests Queen Victoria and Edward VII would have a shock… if they turned up now. Today, it’s the destination of footballers, Wags, pop stars and politicians.
When Kylie Minogue stays… she books into the Vice Presidential Suite with its own log fire.
Tiger Woods has described the golf course as… one of the finest in the world.
Other celebrity guests include… Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, Jodie Kidd, Hugh Grant, Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Ant and Dec and Tony Blair.
For more information or to make a reservation, visit
www.thegrove.co.uk
