Buckingham Palace's east wing has recently undergone a five-year restoration. This section of the palace, previously closed to the public, is now accessible as part of the annual State Rooms tours.
The refurbishment involved the meticulous preservation of its 18th-century chinoiserie interiors, originally commissioned by King George IV and transferred from Brighton's Royal Pavilion in 1850.
Photo: Dreamstime
Key features of the east wing include the Centre Room, which boasts a striking lotus-shaped chandelier and elaborate Chinese imperial silk wall hangings. The Yellow Drawing Room is distinguished by its vibrant decor, highlighted by two nine-tiered Chinese pagodas and a unique 'kylin clock' adorned with porcelain lions and Japanese figurines.
Throughout the wing's 240-foot principal corridor, visitors encounter ebonised cabinets with Japanese panels, complemented by royal portraits from prominent European artists like Thomas Gainsborough and Franz Xaver Winterhalter. The corridor's rich red carpet and ornate motifs, including dragons and gilded curtain poles, further enhance its grandeur.
The renovation also includes significant infrastructural updates as part of a 10-year program, addressing electrical, plumbing, and heating systems dating back to the 1950s.
Take a look at the pictures of the new interior on www.dezeen.com.