The style and belongings of the Keating sisters

The Keating sisters’ personality shines through the whole house, it’s as if they never left. Learn about the sisters’ individual style and vision as elements of their past flourishes through the house.

Personality

The library clearly reflects the interests of the Keating sisters in literature. Works housed in the George III bureau bookcase include the writings of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and poetry figures such as R.S.Thomas and Teresa Hooley.

Beyond the library is the sitting room where again the furniture represents the sisters’ taste. The finest piece of furniture here is the Dutch Mahogany and marquetry cabinets.

The yellow bedroom

It was around the time of the Second World War when the sisters moved into Plas yn Rhiw. In the yellow bedroom next to the sitting room there are certain elements that reflect this time period.

On the bed is a patchwork quilt; it’s one of the hundreds of thousands of quilts made by the people in Canada during the Second World War. They were sent to Britain by the Canadian Red Cross Society and given to bombed out families, hospitals and soldiers.

Honora’s bedroom

In 1939 Honora travelled on a cargo ship to the Far East. The 3 weeks she spent in Japan gave her time to study oriental techniques in painting and wood engraving. 

This is reflected by her collection of Japanese woodcuts, including one by Hokusai.

Honora’s eye for art can be seen throughout the house, from her sketchbook on display in the parlour, to her printed woodcut of Llŷn printed for the Council for Preservation of Rural Wales and past exhibits from her time at Slade School of Art in London.

The finest fashion

In the Keating sisters younger days they lived in Nottingham and London, where fashion at the time included the broad shoulder look (padded), puffed sleeves, fur coats, hats and florals.

The sister had plenty to show for that era in their wardrobes; and we’re lucky to still have them in one piece.

In all of the sisters’ rooms you’ll see their collections of fur coats hanging up, along with elegant gloves and hats placed on the beds.

In Honora’s wardrobe are a range of dresses, in various colours, some with gold thread embroidery and fine pleating. They are almost wearable today.