 The late 18th century was a period of change in the interior design of English country houses . The Baroque concept of the principal floor , or piano nobile , with a large bedroom suite known as the state apartments and only one large hall or saloon for common use , was gradually abandoned in favour of smaller , more comfortable bedrooms on the upper floors . The revised floor plan allowed the principal floor to become a series of reception rooms , each with a designated purpose , creating separate withdrawing , dining , music , and ballrooms . In this way , West Wycombe perfectly reflects the changes and ideals of the late @-@ 18th century . Its arrangement of reception and public rooms on a lower floor , with bedrooms and more private rooms above , survives unchanged . 
