The mansion of the elder John Steed differs significantly from the flats of his younger self. Apparently, Steed has bought here outside London a permanent residence. The possession is evidence of prosperity, which must have been obtained either by the Steed family heritage or through wise investments. In several episodes, it is made clear that Steed has shares or funds (The Medicine Men) because he "always manages to win something" (The White Elephant).
There is a living room and a large dining room at first, later two living rooms and a smaller dining room where initially the piano was. One also get a look at a darkroom in Hostage, at the billiard room in The Last of the Cybernauts...??, at his garage with his Jaguar in Hostage, a garage outside the house for the Land Rover (Cat Amongst the Pigeons) and at the former coach house, where his vintage Bentley stood (Dead Men are Dangerous).
The house in which he lives is tastefully decorated. Each room features a fireplace and is equipped with fine furniture. Steed collects oil paintings from the 19th century, fine porcelain figurines, militaria such as armor and drums, drawings and engravings on various topics. Pictures of ships connect to his 2nd flat.
The interior changes over time, the decorative objects and furniture are renewed. In the living room, there are several seating areas, e.g. the green Chesterfield with matching chairs. In 3 Stable Mews Steed had owned a burgundy Chesterfield. The large dining room of the first episodes disappears later there is a second living room with the green Chesterfield furniture, while now it is beige, brown living room Knole sofa set is reminiscent of Steed's Flat in 4 Queen Anne's court.
The relief in the living room, with the green Chesterfield, is a scene from the Ara Pacis of Augustus in Rome, but it's not a correct replica, but it's not a good replica anyway. The right site is the section with the flamen dialis, the flaminius lictor and members of the familia with Agrippa, Caius Caesar and Livia (Augustus is shown left of it). The left site of Steed's relief is a part of the Northern site of the Ara Pacis. I don't know what the head in the middle section is supposed to be.
It's the section with the the flamen dialis, the flaminius lictor, the familia with Agrippa, Caius Caesar and Livia.
http://arachne.uni-koeln.de/arapacis/plattenNord/nordPlatte4.html
House of Cards
below left: View from first floor downstairs towards the dining room with doors leading to the terrace on the right and the living room with a green Chesterfield sofa in the background. The Tale of the Big Why.
above right: Steed standing at the dining room's terrace door looking outside towards the park in House of Cards
Table in the dining room as seen in The Tale of the Big Why; beige wallpaper in the room
left: view towards the entrance hall in House of Cards
on the right: Purdey entering living room from entrance hall in Cat Amongst the Pigeons.
Some people do not ring the doorbell in Three Handed Game.
