What we know about the interiors of No 10 Downing Street
Arguably the most famous address in London, No. 10 Downing Street, the home of every British Prime Minister since 1735, is allegedly in need of serious renovation, and has been for some time. Downing Street was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and building was completed in 1684, overseen by property developer Sir George Downing, from which it takes its name. However, with each new Prime Minister having very little idea how long they’ll have at the address (see: Boris Johnson and the early departures of his two predecessors as a case in point), no one wants to be the self-sacrificing resident who moves out to let work commence.
Over the course of its history as the residence of the Prime Minister, various works have taken place. Most extensively, in 1957 new concrete underpinnings were added to strengthen the almost-subsiding structure, and in 2006, work began to modernise and weatherproof the building and make it more energy efficient. Former resident Gordon Brown claims though that what Downing Street needs is ‘to be gutted from bottom to top’.
Speaking to David Tennant on his podcast David Tennant Does a Podcast With…, Gordon Brown said that Prime Ministers are advised that work would take at least four years, and so any Prime Minister who chooses to be the one to let renovations get underway knows that – with the current political climate – they may never get to go back into the revamped interiors of 10 Downing Street and enjoy that rite of passage which comes with the monumental task of running the country. So, ‘You say no,’ says Brown. Therefore, they move in, deal with any superficial cracks and hope the next Prime Minister will manage the major issues (not the political kind).
The inside of Downing Street is mostly kept from the public gaze, with some official state rooms well photographed, but just a handful of glimpses of the private quarters over the past decades. Margaret Thatcher was pictured relaxing on the sofa with the infamous red briefcase, while David Cameron and Theresa May let newspapers in to their inner sanctums. When she entered No 10, Theresa May allowed The Sunday Times to photograph her study for a profile piece on her, while David Cameron granted a shoot in the flat at No 11 Downing Street, redecorated by his wife Samantha Cameron.
Famously, one of the many scandals that Boris Johnson has endured in his short time as PM so far has been around the interiors of No 10 Downing Street and the cost of redoing them. In fact, it’s 11 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s private residence, that has been called into question. Reportedly, Carrie Symonds called on Lulu Lytle of Soane to advise on a redecoration project and the funding for what could have been quite a costly renovation caused some raised eyebrows as to where that money came from.
Scandals aside, we’ve devised the House & Garden shortlist of who we would choose to revamp the interiors of 10 Downing Street, should anyone ever undertake the work that really needs doing there.
1/14David Mlinaric
In 2009, David Mlinaric was appointed a CBE for his services to Interior Design and Heritage, following a long career working on some of the greatest National Trust properties, grand British institutions (the V&A, National Portrait Gallery and Royal Opera House amongst them) and for private clients including Mick Jagger. If any English house were in need of his touch when it comes to modern grandeur, it's No 10.
Paul Massey2/14Edward Bulmer
As the most recent Downing Street renovations have been in an effort to up its environmental credentials, the Edward Bulmer motto of "Good design, naturally" might be just what the brief needs. Having started his career at David Mlinaric's studio, Bulmer describes his team as 'bringing traditional knowledge and environmental sensitivity' to their projects. As an architectural historian - who recently renovated the stately home Pitshill - the chance to get his hands on 10 Downing Street would surely appeal.
Mel Yates3/14Max Rollitt
Furniture and interior designer Max Rollitt curates classical rooms underpinned by the enduring and often underrated pleasure of comfort. His gimlet eye and love of good pieces has earned him an extremely loyal client base in the UK and US. Of his work, e says ‘I will always attend to the framework of a room – its flooring, fireplace, cornicing – before turning my attention to the fabrics and furnishings,' which is precisely what interiors such as those at No 10 need.
4/14Spencer-Churchill Designs
Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill specialises in listed and large-scale houses, which is Grade 1-listed Downing Street in a nutshell. She is a master at opulent, stately rooms. Descendant of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and the Onassis dynasty, Henrietta has the unique position of being able to understand both the sensibilities of the occupant of Downing Street and those of some of its famous guests.
Simon Watson5/14Christopher Hodsoll
Christopher Hodsoll is as adept at decorating comfortable family homes as he is grand period rooms, meaning the two personalities of No 10 will cause him no concern. By combining unique antique pieces with modern design sensibilities, Christopher's projects convey opulence yet remain relaxed. Having decorated a tent at Windsor for the Duke of Edinburgh's 70th birthday party, Christopher is no stranger to working with British Heads of State.
6/14Sybil Colefax & John Fowler
Established in the thirties, Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler is the authority on English country style. There are eight principal designers at the team who have over 150 years of collective experience between them, allowing them to call on a wealth of references for the vast project that redecorating No 10 Downing Street would be. Historic buildings don't phase the team, who have worked with royalty in the past.
7/14Flora Soames
If quintessentially English interiors are what the powers-that-be are after for a revamped Downing Street (though we might advise they call them 'quintessentially British'), then Flora Soames does that with understated elegance. The designer has been running her small company since 2009 and racked up some seriously stylish projects in that decade. Flora manages to call on the past and look to the future in her aesthetic, fitting for a historical residence about to embark on a new, post-divorce, chapter.
Simon Brown8/14Gavin Houghton
Layered interiors with a British sensibility and oodles of charm are Gavin's calling card. He designs rooms full of character and intrigue, and says 'I’m a big fan of Charleston, the former Sussex home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant – it has an ease and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I don’t like a room to look laboured.’ Maybe politics would be a little less depressing with a dose of Gavin's attitude fired into No 10.
Tim Beddow9/14Paolo Moschino
Run by Italian Paolo and his Belgian business partner Philip Vergeylen, this may ot be the first choice of a hardline Brexiteer Prime Minister, but would be a huge win for Remainers. Politics aside, Paolo Moschino's interiors are regal and refined, a modern spin on classic stately grandeur. They would certainly go far in pulling Downing Street into the 21st century. Design-wise, at least.
Simon Upton10/14Douglas Mackie
Douglas Mackie works with just one assistant, meaning the scale of decorating Downing Street might be overwhelming. However, his restraint and love of strong colour would make a statement with the many rooms of the building and certainly set a new tone for the historic house. Douglas studied architecture at Cambridge, and while he doesn't practice is, may be able to lend ideas towards any of the major structural changes needed.
11/14Veere Grenney
Design stalwart Veere Grenney's work is described as 'elegant and calm,' the latter being perhaps the precise tone needed within a building where so many serious and country-altering conversations are had. He was director at Colefax & Fowler before setting up his own company and took the English house sensibilities with him, adding in a dose of his own, more pared-back, modern vision.
Paul Massey12/14Virginia Howard
Virginia, whose mantra is ‘listen carefully first’, has a sensitive eye and always stays faithful to good architecture – bringing old buildings to life for the twenty-first century. She is an established interior designer with a loyal clientele and abides by her motto of "Listen carefully first". Key to Virginia's success (both as a designer and perhaps for this particular project) is her record for delivering projects to budget and on time.
Simon Brown13/14Woody Clark
For decades, the name Woody Clark has been quietly passed by word of mouth as the go-to designer for important historic houses, so perhaps he is already in the running for when renovations do get a green light. He is discreet (so much so that he has no website) and known for his historical knowledge and eye for detail when it comes to working on stately homes.
Rachel Whiting14/14Jane Churchill
With more than 40 years in the business to her name, Jane Churchill is a master at creating classic, elegant rooms that are as livable as they are beautiful. Seeing as Downing Street has state rooms, function rooms and private quarters to be decorated, her skillset to cater to all would stand her in good stead. Jane counts Nancy Lancaster - owner of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler and the woman who defined the English country house look - as her main source of inspiration, proving her love of the kind of classic design suited to Downing Street.
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