Displaying posts labeled "Castle/Manor"

I think I’ll add stately manors to my castle ensemble for Sundays as they tend to be just as fabulous and a bit easier to find. I spotted Wardington Manor featured on Sköna hem and then found another feature of this glorious home on House & Garden. Located in Oxfordshire on 30 acres of picturesque property, this 15th century manor is an absolute dream. The woodwork, the plasterwork, and that stone flooring in the kitchen….*sigh* (photos: Michael Paul / Living Inside & Andrew Montgomery)

Today I am taking you to the Sommières region of France where this gorgeous 20 room, 8 bedroom and 8 bathroom castle on over 7 acres is for sale (by Christie’s). Splendid Venetian, neo-Gothic and Renaissance style castle entirely restored by a decorator of approximately 800m2 plus 250m2 of fitted out annexes, near AUBAIS in the Gard. Beautiful reception rooms, each room has its private bathroom. Located between Nîmes and Montpellier, in a 3HA park with olive grove, fountains, ponds, beautiful French garden, swimming pool, large workshop, cellar and chapel. Lots of charm. The castle is listed as a historical monument. The renovation is carried out with great care by craftsmen and artists. (Woodwork, floor tiles, paintings, etc.). The castle is sold fully furnished. You will be conquered by the charm and the authentic atmosphere.

I’ve dreamt about living in a castle in France or Italy but it appears I need to add Ireland to my list. This home was built in 1870, has 5 bedrooms, is  5,543 sq.ft. and is listed through Christie’s at just over 10M USD. St George’s is a most impressive towered and gabled red-brick Gothic-Revival house. It was built in the late 1870’s designed by George Coppinger Ashlin, one of the leading Irish architects of the 19th century. The description includes things like brass armatures, encaustic ceramic tiled floor, glazed lead panelled glass, chamfered Tudor archway, pink polished marble columns, open timber balustrade, corner turret, conservatory, butler’s pantry, oratory…

For today’s Sunday castle I have what is actually a villa in Sicily but it has very castle-like architecture so let’s call it a castle, shall we? 🙂 This is a beauty! Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves outside the Sicilian fishing town of Mazara del Vallo is a castle-like villa that dates back to the 17th century. Complete with turrets and towers, this fortified farmhouse was originally built as a monastery, and later became the centre of a local wine business. Now, the ground floor of this family-owned property is an elegantly furnished holiday retreat. The eclectic interiors feature pieces collected during the owners’ extensive travels across the globe: a Chinese-style library, a canary yellow living room with Brazilian ceramics, and a Moroccan-influenced suite all tell stories of a life well-lived. It’s easy to while away afternoons over long, lazy lunches within the walled orangery; there’s also a palm-fringed pool and a private tennis court. Santa Maria Villa available to stay, via The Perfect Getaway.

Last year I shared a glimpse of the château/farmhouse of designer Pierre Yovanovitch in Fabrègues, Provence. I came across more photos (by Julien Oppenheim and Jerome Galland) that I thought were a must-share. This home is jaw-droppingly beautiful inside and out and I don’t even know what more to say other than WHAT A DREAM!