O'Roarke Apartment

The O'Roarke Apartment

The newly decorated apartment of the Countess O'Roarke was made to the latest Italian design, sparing no expense. The panelling in the large receiving room was walnut to about hip height, and then contained freshly painted vista's on cloth, depicting the environment of Chelsea, including some of the newly created garden of the Countess, something that relied entirely on the imagination of the painter for they had never been in full bloom before. The Atherstone Thermea and the O'Roarke amphitheatre displayed the themes of libertarianism and artistic talent.

A mirror with gilded frame rested above the large fireplace, in front of which was a large sheepskin. Heather might have preferred a bear or a wolf, but she wanted to beg the Duke to shoot one for her and so had made do. Next to the fire place a chaisseze lounge and two comfortable leather armchairs and a small side table.

To the opposite wall the Lion Commode demanded attention, resting on lion's feet, and inlaid with mother of pearl and carved fruits and flowers. Upon the commode stood a vase with fresh flowers.

Next to the receiving room was a modest private dining room, the cutlery of silver, the goblets of crystal and using pottery from the Somerset China factory. Here too painted panelling, but this time with more exotic themes, depictions of travels through the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, even the Far East, the sight of which the painters had never seen. A large crystal chandelier above the well decorated walnut table that seated 8 lit up the diningroom prettily, reflected in several mirrors that gave the room a grand feel.

A tiny door led to the library, the smallest room of the apartment and doubling as a study. This was a private place, storing the most beloved books and plays, and tiny bric-a-brac the countess had brought from Venice such as the decorative masks that hung from the wall.

All three the rooms had an exit to the sumptuous bedroom, with its large four poster bed. Decorated in cream and light green, with little cupids on the ceiling dancing over the clouds. On the wall opposite the bed hung a copy of the painting that had been gifted to the Royal Theatre, showing the three Godiva's, with only the redheaded inhabitant of the apartments looking straight out at the onlookers, proud, defiant, confident. A Florentine cabinet and a walk-in closet contained her clothing, while a dressing table held a spread of lady like necessities and a large gilded mirror.