Saltram House, Plymouth

This is a magnificent Georgian house, not too far from Plymouth harbour. Inside, treasures abound.

Saltram House, seen from grounds at the back of the mansion
The front is covered by scaffolding

Chinese wall paper

Room after room on the upper floor, the walls are covered by Chinese wall paper. This is something I have not seen ever in my life, not in Hong Kong, nor in any of the cities that I have visited in China. Imagine walls and walls of Chinese paintings depicting everyday life - it was simply delightful. However, the Chinese objects d'art were disappointing - most of them rather coarse and unrefined. But for me, the Chinese wall paper alone is well worth the visit. 

The Saloon designed by Robert Adams

Another grand gesture comes in the form of the Saloon designed by Robert Adams. From the ceiling to the carpets, from the chairs to the chandelier, every detail oozes elegance and sophistication. One can imagine the opulence when the room is flooded with a shade more sunlight in the summer.

The ceiling in the Music Room

And then there is this magnificent brass writing desk with exquisite inlays. As a piece of antique, it is priceless. I stood in front of this piece of art, in awe for some time. 

The magnificent brass desk

Outside, cyclamens were in bloom; they lined the path leading to the park lands at the back of the house. I always thought cyclamens were house plants, how ignorant of me, and here in the wild, they look  delicate and fragile.

Cyclamens carpeting the parklands, Saltram House.