Behind the Scenes – Accommodation Series Part IV: OAK GATE LODGE

Welcome to our Behind the Scenes series, where we share the incredible transformation of Mount Congreve’s accommodations.

Previous Chapters

Part I: Damson Gate Lodge — a charming building built in 1775 that has been lovingly restored to honour its rich history while embracing modern comforts.

Part II: The Courtyard Suite — a forgotten space in the West Wing of Mount Congreve House that has been given a new lease on life.

Part III: Rowan Gate Lodge — a once-derelict gatekeeper’s cottage, rebuilt from the ground up and reimagined in deep heritage greens, layered antiques, and richly textured interiors to create an intimate, dog-friendly country retreat within the garden walls.

Main Contractor: ABS Construction – Alan O’Shea
Interior Designer: Sara Dolan

Over the Garden Fence

This chapter brings us to Oak Gate Lodge — a small but quietly significant building just inside the original entrance to the estate.

Structurally sound, it had nonetheless suffered years of damp, poor ventilation, and gradual internal decline. Black mould had crept into corners, plaster had lifted from stone, ceilings had weakened, and floors had quietly deteriorated beneath the surface.

The restoration required careful, methodical work: roof repairs, ceilings removed, floors lifted entirely, walls stripped back to sound masonry, and comprehensive damp remediation introduced. It was unglamorous but essential – the kind of work that restores integrity before beauty.

Today, Oak Gate Lodge stands renewed – warm, intimate, and deeply connected to the gardens that surround it. Its mustard hues, heritage furnishings, and curated antiques create a sense of comfort without excess, offering guests an elegant country escape within the walls of one of the world’s great gardens.

Oak reminds us that restoration is not always about rescue. Sometimes, it is about reclamation – about recognising quiet potential and giving it the care it deserves.

The Kitchen

Before:

The kitchen had been particularly compromised. Ceilings were failing, floors beyond saving, and damp had taken hold across walls and joinery. It required complete internal renewal.

After:

Rebuilt as a fully fitted galley kitchen with solid oak countertops and heritage cabinetry, it is now the practical heart of the lodge. French copper saucepans hang within reach, and a commode-on-chest provides both storage and character. The Tempus Fugit grandfather clock now stands proudly in the kitchen, its brass face and weights adding gravitas and warmth to the heart of the home. Compact but beautifully proportioned, it invites slow mornings and simple suppers.

The Bedroom

Before

Damp-affected walls, weakened ceilings, and stripped-back flooring left the bedroom uninviting and cold.

After

Now anchored by a Louis XV double bed dressed in Irish linens and FOXFORD throws, the bedroom feels calm and cocooned. Soft lighting, antique pieces, and layered textiles create warmth. It is a room designed for proper rest — quiet, understated, and deeply comfortable.

Sitting Room

Before:

Moisture ingress had left visible damp staining. Black mould had formed in corners. Plaster was lifting from the walls and ceilings required attention. The room felt heavy and airless.

After:

Now warm and enveloping in Saffron Valley 0872 by Colourtrend, the bijou sitting room glows in afternoon light. A Marie Therese chandelier softens the space overhead, and an Edwardian brass mirrored fire screen reflects candlelight beautifully in the evenings. Carefully sourced antiques add depth and patina without clutter, each piece scaled thoughtfully to suit the lodge’s intimate proportions.

The sitting room itself feels layered, cocooning, and entirely settled – small in footprint, but generous in atmosphere.

Bathroom

Before:

What is now the bathroom was originally a small bedroom – modest in scale and heavily affected by damp. Ventilation was poor, moisture had compromised the plasterwork, and the floorboards were beyond saving. Like much of the lodge, it felt tired and airless, with staining along external walls and ceilings weakened by years of water ingress.

To convert the space properly, everything had to come back to structure – floors lifted, walls stripped to sound masonry, ventilation introduced, and plumbing installed from scratch. It was a complete reworking of the room’s purpose.

After:

While it doesn’t have room for a pony – it does have room for a bath… just.

Today, the former bedroom has been reimagined as a calm and characterful bathroom centred around a traditional roll-top freestanding bath. The proportions are snug, but that intimacy is part of its charm.

The bath is positioned deliberately so that, as you sink into warm water, you can look out through the shutters and see camellias beyond – a gentle reminder that you are still very much within the garden walls.

Soft lighting, classic fittings, and carefully chosen finishes ensure the room feels indulgent yet entirely in keeping with the lodge’s modest scale. What was once a damp and forgotten bedroom is now one of Oak’s most quietly special spaces.

Design Notes & Provenance

Oak Gate Lodge embraces colour with confidence.

The sitting room is fully colour-drenched in Saffron Valley 0872 by Colourtrend, a bold, bright yellow that wraps walls, trim, and detailing in one continuous tone. In daylight it feels uplifting and fresh; by evening, under chandelier light, it deepens into a warm, honeyed glow.

The small rooms respond beautifully to saturation. Rather than feeling tight, they feel intentional and atmospheric – especially when the colour carries across architectural details instead of stopping abruptly at edges.

Light, Brass & Warmth

Marie Theresa chandeliers were chosen to catch and reflect the glow. Brass repeats throughout the lodge – in lighting, clocks, fittings, and decorative objects – amplifying warmth and ensuring cohesion.

The Edwardian brass mirrored fire screen (Larry O’Keeffe Auctioneer) reflects candlelight beautifully. The Tempus Fugit grandfather clock with brass face and weights (Larry O’Keeffe Auctioneer) stands confidently against the saturated backdrop, while mantle clocks from R.J. Keighrey add rhythm and quiet presence.

Nothing is timid – and that is deliberate.

Furniture with Weight & Patina

Against such a vivid palette, furniture needed substance.

• Louis XV Double Bed – J.C. Vintage Furniture
• Two-Tier Kidney Étagère – Treasure Trove
• Capitoné Antique Table – R J Keighreys
• Commode-on-Chest – positioned within the kitchen
• Traditional Roll-Top Freestanding Bath – in the reimagined bathroom

These pieces carry history and texture. Their aged timber and curved silhouettes ground the brightness and prevent it from feeling contemporary or flat.

Domestic References

Oak retains subtle nods to working domestic life:

• Antique Brass Oil Lamp – Larry O’Keeffe Auctioneer
• Hanging Old Brass Telephone – Larry O’Keeffe Auctioneer
• Singer Sewing Machine & Vintage Singer Sewing Machine – Larry O’Keeffe Auctioneer
• Five-Piece French Copper Saucepan Set (wrought iron handles) – Victor Mee Auctions

Copper, brass, and time-worn surfaces ensure the lodge feels layered and authentic rather than styled.

Textiles & Finish

The bedroom is dressed in bedding and throws by FOXFORD (est. 1892), introducing Irish textile heritage and softness through wool and linen. Oak countertops in the galley kitchen reinforce the natural material palette, while classic fittings maintain continuity throughout.

Oak Gate Lodge is warm, optimistic, and unapologetically vibrant. The colour does not dominate – it energises. Combined with patina, brass, and layered texture, it creates a space that feels joyful, grounded, and entirely at home within the garden walls.

What’s Next?

Stay tuned for Part V of our Behind the Scenes series, where we’ll take you through the restoration of Acorn Gate Lodge.

If you wish to witness these restorations first-hand, you can now book online:
OAK GATE LODGE: https://mountcongreve.com/accommodation/oak-gate-lodge/