On Tuesday 5 June – Thomas Chippendale’s official birth-date – Harewood House will open its doors for FREE* to Otley residents.

Born in Otley, just seven miles away from Harewood House, Thomas Chippendale was commissioned in 1767 by Edwin Lascelles to furnish his new home that was built by John Carr of York and Robert Adam. The refurbishment of Harewood House took 30 years and was completed by Thomas Chippendale Junior following his father’s death in 1779. The commission not only supplied and installed the furniture but also sumptuous curtains, blinds, carpets, wallpapers, upholstery, protective covers and exquisitely designed wall borders.

As part of the free-entry, visitors from Otley will be able to experience the exhibition ‘Thomas Chippendale – Designer, Maker, Decorator’, an exploration and celebration of Harewood’s own extraordinary Chippendale collection, which is widely considered to be one of the best in the world. Taking the form of a trail through the House and grounds, the exhibition showcases the breadth of Chippendale’s craftsmanship and activity at Harewood, celebrating his talent as a pre-eminent designer and maker of furniture as well as his wider role as a decorator.

The exhibition also includes a contemporary response to Chippendale by artist Geraldine Pilgrim, who has created an installation for the grounds of Harewood House and a further display for the House’s Terrace Gallery.

Adam Bowett, Chairman of the Chippendale Society said: “The Harewood commission has long been recognised as the most important of Chippendale’s long career, the ultimate showcase of his abilities as a designer, furniture maker, entrepreneur and businessman. The Chippendale Society is immensely proud of its long association with Harewood House Trust, which will be closer than ever in 2018. Not only is Harewood a major lender to the 2018 Chippendale exhibition, but its programme of events will greatly enhance the nationwide Chippendale 300 project which involves Chippendale collections at locations throughout the UK.”

Designer, Maker, Decorator offers new ways of looking at Chippendale’s practice and the story of his work at Harewood House, the most expensive and ambitious single commission of his career. Special features such as an innovative mirrored display of Harewood’s acclaimed Diana and Minerva Commode, often considered to be Chippendale’s masterpiece, allows visitors to explore in detail the skill, artistry and ingenuity that created such beautiful, complex yet functional works, which have been used and treasured for centuries.

As well as the exhibition, guests visiting Harewood House on 5 June will be able to experience all the traditional favourites, including the bird garden, farm, adventure playground and courtyard café.

*Proof of address (utility bill/driving license) will be required at the ticket office.

For further information on Harewood House, please go to www.harewood.org or call +44 (0) 113 218 1000.

Thomas Chippendale – Designer, Maker Decorator at Harewood House will be open from 23 March – September 2018.

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ABOUT CHIPPENDALE 300

Harewood House is part of Chippendale300, a nationwide celebration taking place in 2018 to mark the tercentenary of the birth in June 1718 of the great British designer, craftsman and entrepreneur Thomas Chippendale. www.chippendale300.co.uk