 During the 1880s , Antony had Henry Woodyer redesign the hallway staircase . This allowed more light to permeate the lower floors from the glazed lantern roof , and hence turn the hallway into a reception room . Woodyer also extended the Dining Room by taking in part of the original housekeeper 's room . Crace 's original wallpaper – a British imitation of Japanese paper , that itself imitated Spanish tooled leather – was lightened by a 14 @-@ year @-@ old apprentice who hand @-@ painted in a cream background . The sideboard , which had been commissioned from Collier and Plucknett , was further extended . New items were also ordered from Collier and Plucknett . Simultaneously , Antony had electricity installed , an early UK example of houses being lit in this way . Antony spent the first night after turning on the electrical system watching the main entrance light , to ensure that it did not create a fire and was hence safe for his family . At some point between 1868 and 1884 a water hydraulic lift was installed by Waygood and Co . , the remains of which were discovered in 2008 . A wooden lift car was discovered on the ground floor and a 55 @-@ inch ( 1 @,@ 400 mm ) spanning sheave in the roof space . 
