False mantelpieces with perspex upstands were built to protect the real thing, allowing garlands and decorations to be attached without damaging the marble mantels, surrounding plasterwork or gilded mirrors.
Surfaces have been protected with plastazote (a dense, inert and acid-free foam) and melinex (an archival quality, clear polyester film). The new gallery hanging rail that was installed in the west corridor this year meant that, for the first time, we could hang garlands in this space.
The house was closed for twelve days in November for decoration. By this time the final designs had been agreed upon and an installation schedule set up. It was a real team effort this year: the house and visitor experience teams worked to build and decorate Christmas trees, wrap a seemingly infinite number of presents and dress the rooms.