This room was designed for entertaining in style. It's original Robert Adam interior was entirely redeveloped by Sir Charles Barry, the architect of the Houses of Parliament, in the Victorian period to make it a more stylish and practical space for dining.
As well as adding a service passage behind the room, Barry removed the eighteenth-century ceiling and plasterwork, replacing it with the Classical panelling seen today. Two interlocked ‘H’s can be seen decorating the heavy Italianate coving.
The room is decorated with portraits depicting the Earls and Countesses of Harewood. Lousia, 3rd Countess of Harewood, was responsible for many of the changes made to Harewood during the Victorian period. She is shown in a black dress pointing to her proudest achievement, the Terrace.
The room’s original Chippendale dining suite remains in situ, which was designed to be both decorative and practical. The suite is made from a range of non-native woods that were particularly fashionable in the 18th century, such as mahogany and rosewood, often logged by enslaved people in places such as the Caribbean. This furniture, as well as the food often consumed from it (such as sugar), is a reminder of British society’s entanglement with colonialism and slavery.

Portrait of Henry Lascelles, 2nd Earl of Harewood
- British Portraiture

Portrait of Louisa, 3rd Countess of Harewood
- British Portraiture

Dining Chair
- British Furniture
You are here

Gallery

Music Room

Music Room
