Turning this house on the Harewood estate into a holiday let uncovered works of art

There is little joy in the early stages of the average renovation project, which are typified by dust, rubble and uncovering issues that add a few noughts to the budget. Oak House on the Harewood estate is far from average but Ben Lascelles was still astonished to find a pleasant surprise when updating and redecorating the Georgian property.Ripping off boarding in the alcoves either side of the chimney breast, revealed two exquisite murals.

One of the murals discovered under boarding

The house, which had been tenanted since it was built, was being converted into a holiday let as part of a modernisation and diversification programme when the discovery was made.“We can’t be absolutely certain but we think an artist who was working at Harewood House about 150 years ago stayed in this property. We think he practised his murals here because the detailing is exactly the same as one in the library of the big house,” says Ben who,together with his brother, Eddy, is building on efforts by their father, David Lascelles, the Earl of Harewood, to give the family’s 4,000-acre estate a sustainable future.

Fresh ideas for historic estate

The adjoining Harewood House is owned and run by a charitable trust.The Earl has helped transform what was a purely farming and forestry operation with tenanted properties into a multi-faceted business.It includes Harewood Yard, which features offices to let, the Emmerdale studio and a huge biomass boiler that provides heat for Harewood House, the offices and the properties in the estate’s historic hub.Ben and Eddy have brought new skills and fresh eyes after pursuing careers elsewhere.Ben, who grew up in the West Country, is an award-winning environmentalist and is now Harewood Estate MD. Eddy is a former head-hunter in the City.Both are ardent foodies and established the Harewood Food and Drink Project, which includes everything from dining events and utilising estate produce to opening the popular Muddy Boots Cafe.

The sitting room in Oak House with chandelier made from antlers shed by the estate's deer herd

Turning redundant cottages and houses on the estate into holiday lets is the latest venture and Ben has become adept at managing the refurbishment work.Oak House was rewired, replumbed, replastered, decorated and furnished in just nine weeks.It is the latest and grandest holiday property with architecture by John Carr, who designed Harewood House.It has already been targeted by brides and grooms and those looking for somewhere special to celebrate, as there is also the option of having a top chef to cook for them and for accommodating family and friends in surrounding cottages.“We aren’t entirely sure of the history but we think Oak House may have been built for the manager of what was the home farm.“It is bigger and has more decorative features than the cottages,” says Ben.Given its position as “top property” Oak House had special treatment.

The new kitchen

Ben brought in Mark Hinchliffe to help him design and furnish the interiors. Property entrepreneur and art and curios collector Mark is best known for converting an old methodist chapel on Grove Road in Harrogate into the town’s most visually exciting home/B&B. The venture featured on Channel 4’s Restoration Man.“I chose him because I like what he does and we have similar tastes. I’m also a collector,” says Ben who shares Mark’s love of vintage and antique items.Mark persuaded him that a pale aubergine colour rather than green was right for the sitting room and the result is stunning.“My idea was to give it a 1920s smoking lounge look,” says Ben. “I wanted it to look grand but feel relaxed.”

The siting room with comfy Chesterfield sofas

Nothing can trump the magnificent murals in that room, but the original arched and shuttered windows and the fireplace are also stand-out features, along with an Italian drinks trolley from Morphets sale rooms and a chandelier made using antlers collected from Harewood’s own red deer herd.A second antler chandelier lights the impressive staircase and is reflected in an antique overmantle mirror.The newly-updated kitchen is spacious and contemporary with dark blue units, a grey wood-panelled walls and a table with built-in bench seating for up to 10 people.The range cooker with a six-burner induction hob is designed for keen cooks and for the chef, should guests want one. The clock is by London-based Lascelles“We aren’t sure if they are related but my father insisted we have them,” says Ben.

The kitchen's dining area can seat 10 people

Upstairs, the master bedroom has a Chinoiserie theme and a 19th century French burr walnut bed with Hypnos mattressBen specified the free-standing copper bath in the main bathroom and commissioned the Harewood toiletries developed by Chapter Organics.The guest bedroom, which has its own bathroom, features wallpaper designed by Mark Hinchliffe who also sourced the quirky coffee pot lamps.

One of the two bedrooms

Among the main hunting grounds for homeware were Pool Bank Interiors, near Otley; Crimple Hall, near Harrogate; West Park Antiques, Harrogate, and Decoporium at Thorpe Arch. There is also artwork by Yorkshire printmakers, including Leeds-based Folded Forest.

The luxurious bathroom

The garden at the rear will feature a hot tub, fire pit and a vegetable and herb garden so guests can help themselves to fresh produce.Felicity Marsden has been recruited as accommodation and hospitality manager for all eight holiday lets and is helping to oversee work on two other properties, one of which will cater for disabled visitors.

Future-proofing

Meanwhile, Ben and Eddy are already cooking up more ideas.“The holiday properties are about trying the estate a more outward facing profile and we can link them in with our food events and activities,” says Ben.“We are also thinking about doing yoga and meditation retreats, photography and clay pigeon shooting weekends, wild swimming and maybe a forest school.“Both Eddy and I grew up coming here for holidays and playing on the estate. “It’s an amazing place and we are really keen to share it.”