Displaying posts labeled "Castle/Manor"

Château de Sibra

Posted on Sun, 23 Jul 2023 by KiM

If you are unsure if château life is for you, why not stay in one a few nights and see if it’s to your liking? Château de Sibra in Lagarde, Occitanie, France is an absolute delight. Purchased by an architect in 2017, it was restored and opened in the summer of 2021 for short term stays via Welcome Beyond.
While the ground floor was lived in (with a very 1950s French style), the second floor hadn’t been used in a long time and was largely untouched (except for a new roof). Because it was in its original state, we had the old wallpapers and flooring to work with. We were able to reprint many of the wallpapers using the original paper and pigments and we had a team in Morocco who redid some of the tiles. In the places where we couldn’t recreate the original features, we interpreted them as closely as possible using the same colours. In terms of the interior design, I wanted to put pieces of furniture in the rooms that stood in the space. But if you removed them, it wouldn’t destroy the existing room. I love contemporary furniture and have been collecting it all my life, so designing the interiors of the chateau was a good opportunity to declutter my home in Switzerland.


If that wasn’t fabulous enough, on the northern side is a medieval-looking building that was originally a horse stable while on the southern side is a building constructed from concrete and steel. The stables have now been transformed into apartments while the storage area under the roof (where herbs and sausages were once kept) is now the studio. Where the castle caretaker and gardener once lived with their families is now the Maison de Métayer, a symmetrically designed building with five rooms and one suite. There is a large communal kitchen and a salon, as well as a private garden. Also available as rentals via Welcome Beyond.

A 12th century monastery in Catalonia

Posted on Sun, 25 Jun 2023 by KiM

This house for sale was part of the monastic complex of Santes Creus (12th century, in Catalonia). It served as a hospital and warehouse at different times, until in 1835, as a result of the Spanish confiscation, the family that currently owns the property bought it. Due to its configuration, the property could be divided into three homes, making the necessary adaptations. It has 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms over 690m² and is beautifully restored so the new owners have nothing to do but move in their furntiture and enjoy! For sale for €2,495,000 via Lucas Fox.

This historical Baix Empordà townhouse, originally dating back to the 16th century, is one of the oldest properties in this sought-after town of Pals, just a couple of kilometres from the nearest beaches of the Costa Brava. The house was originally divided into 3 properties but was remodeled to form a single house with 6 bedrooms. . The property occupies the main street of Pals, with half the property on one side and the other, which includes the garden and the pool, on the other side. Both houses are joined by an internal walkway. The property is full of period details and historic charm. It has been completely renovated by the current owners and has a lift, bathrooms and kitchens brand new and a music system throughout the house.
I must add it includes 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms, interior courtyard, billiards room, wine cellar, outdoor terrace off the dining room, a watchtower with 360º views, swimming pool…. This property is absolutely incredible. For sale via Lucas Fox for €1,575,000.

Blairlogie Castle in Scotland

Posted on Sun, 11 Jun 2023 by KiM

Introducing Blairlogie Castle in Scotland, said to date from 1513, with a sitting room with an arched 16th century stone fireplace, wine cellar, AGA in the kitchen, an adorable butler’s pantry, a drawing room with decorative panelled ceiling and stone fireplace and 16th century oak door and a studded door to spiral stairs up to the library, library at the top of the house with a ceiling made of ship’s timbers, 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. On the property there is a cottage, former stables, garages, stone summerhouse, a terrace with a garden store and a large greenhouse.
This sounds and looks like a dream castle and the location is breathtaking. Where do I sign?! Currently under offer @ £1,450,000 via Savills.

Castello di Vicarello

Posted on Sun, 4 Jun 2023 by KiM

I discovered Castello di Vicarello in a recent hunt for a castle to share today and realized Jo featured it back in 2012 but this restored relic is so dreamy I wanted to share it again. Carlo and Aurora Baccheschi Berti restored this 12th century castle in Maremma, a region of Tuscany, over many years (the castle’s main wings took 12 years alone to restore) and now their 3 sons run it as a guest house consisting of 9 suites. It is stunning inside and out and I love that the decor is casual and inviting. What an extraordinary vacation spot this would be. Photos: Castello di Vicarello; Guido Taroni via Cabana Magazine; Mark Bolton via Conde Nast Traveller.