Displaying posts labeled "Castle/Manor"

It doesn’t get much grander than this. Spectacular! Benham Park is 30,000sqft Grade II* listed Georgian mansion set within 130 acres of parkland, just west of Newbury. Designed by Henry Holland and extensive landscapes by Capability Brown, the estate was built by the Craven family in 1776. Albion Nord was appointed to project manage, interior design, procure the FF&E and dress the house. The interior design is purposefully paired back in response to the ornate classical architectural features, and designed for modern, comfortable country living. (A quick search tells me this home was on the market a few years ago for £26 million) Photos: Kensington Leverne

Yesterday I found myself down a rabbit hole of castles for sale and spotted this beauty in Bouquetot, Normandy. The landscaping is exquisite, and for a change the interior is actually quite beautifully decorated. Now if I could just come up with the 2 300 000 € to make this 7 bedroom, 5 bathroom, 5654 ft² château of my dreams mine… (For sale via Belle Demeures)

I am convinced that if I were ever to visit a castle, a home with details this exquisite that I would probably pass right out. This is truly incredible. Ballinlough Castle, County Westmeath, Ireland has been home to the Nugent family for over 400 years. The 17th century Georgian castle was sensitively refreshed by Todhunter Earle Interiors when the current occupants, a young family, took over the house. The bedrooms have been brightened with large scale wallpapers and fabrics, beds re-dressed and new bathrooms installed. The essence of the traditional Irish castle has been retained, whilst updating the house for modern living.

I continue to dream of stately manors and castles in the countryside (far away from the frigid winters and uninspiring architecture of Canada I find so soul-crushing). This one built in the 18th century in Suffolk is home to interior designer Kate Earle of Todhunter Earle, and is full of character and history evident with the addition of a plethora of antiques and textiles. What a beauty.

Set upon a hilltop in the French Pyrenees, Château de Gudanes is one of the most magical homes I have ever seen. And one of my favourite Instagram accounts to follow, to watch the progress of this huge restoration project and dream…

Once upon a time a thirteenth century fortress, a fifteenth century castle, and then an eighteenth century palatial château, Château de Gudanes was then left abandoned and in ruins… Until in 2013, she was discovered by a West Australian family, the Waters, who have taken on the responsibility to awaken this sleeping beauty after years of neglect – at the time they purchased the building only three of its ninety-four rooms still had floors and ceilings. Château de Gudanes still stands proudly in the south of France in the small village of Chateau-Verdun.