Reception Rooms

Drawing Room

With five windows enjoying views in three directions, and two fireplaces, this spacious room has seating for sixteen and offers standing room for a sizeable cocktail party. The full-height window is a double door opening onto the Flower Passage.

The large chandelier is Georgian was purchased a hundred years ago and brought back to Sugnall in a pony cart. It takes several days to dismantle, clean and re-assemble. The ceiling design of birds is in fact a Victorian fire precaution, as the hexagonal panels are made of tin.

The wallpaper is silk on paper, painted in China, to a specification devised by the owner. There are numerous red-crowned cranes in flight or amongst the cherry trees. In Taoism, the red-crowned crane is a symbol of longevity and immortality. There are other birds, flies, prawns and even one frog! The dado rail and the pattern below represent the railings of a Chinese bridge, so that one can imagine looking out over the marshes.

The cupboard contains glasses, and behind the screen is a fridge keeping cool the champagne, wine, tonic water or other drinks you have ordered.

Dining Room

The Dining Room can be used for meals or meetings. The Victorian oak table seats up to fourteen. Food is served via the far door, leading to the kitchens.

There is old oak carving in this room, with the magnificent fireplace being the highlight. The centrepiece is of the Last Supper, and the supports to either side represent the pen and the sword. The display cupboard on the far wall contains a quantity of ‘Afghanistan Vase’ ironstone ware by John Meir & Son of Tunstall. It has been in the house for well over a century and remains in homage to the Victorian manufacturers of the nearby Potteries.

Boudoir

This first-floor corner room was designed for ladies only. There is seating for eight and a desk for letter-writing, which is set in front of a window that enjoys fine views out.

The theme is blue and white, and appropriate china is shown in the display cabinet. The Persian Nain carpet matches the décor perfectly in having dark and medium blues on a cream background. Nain carpets like this are rare and special, closely hand knotted with only the highest quality highland sheep’s wool. White silk is woven in for the contouring of the patterns and the detailing of the design.

Billiard Room

This room was built to accommodate two billiard tables, and although no-one in the family has been interested in the game, the name lives on. Only two billiard balls remain.

At one end is the impressive fireplace, set with a ready-to-light fire and a supply of logs. The oak panelling affords the rooms excellent acoustics, making it a favourite for live music, though the first impression may be of the big game trophies and the weapons from Rajasthan and elsewhere. The carpet is a hundred years old and of exceptional size.

The room can be prepared for banquets, cocktail parties, music (there is a boudoir grand piano by Blüthner in a corner), films or presentations. Seating at tables for up to forty is possible (tables and chairs supplied). The room can accommodate 80 seated conference-style, and there is standing room for up to 120.

A large screen makes the room suitable for presentations, films, games, etc. there is excellent Wi-Fi access.