Grimsthorpe Castle

While the Mid-Atlantic digs itself out of our winter storm I thought I would share some pictures of a  warmer time sent to me by my Penpal Neil from his last trip to Great Britain.

Grimsthorpe Castle is a fascinating place that received a renovation by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1715, which was never completed, as well as gardens designed by Capability Brown in 1771.

The front elevation was renovated to Vanbrugh's baroque design but the sides of the castle were left with their much older facades left intact. It's like having a facelife but leaving your saggy neck alone!

The earliest parts of the castle date to the 12th century!  I'm sure Vanbrugh's extravagant designs were too costly to produce so the 1st Duke made due with a new front facade and entry hall.

Capability Brown was brought on by the 3rd Duke Ancaster to design the parkland around the house and to gracefully lead one into the nearby woodland.

 The front 'yard' is enclosed by gates and beautiful stone walls.

The guardhouses at the very front, seen above, are probably my favorite part. Imagine the views from their roofs!

 Brown designed many garden rooms and planted acres of roses and herbs.

The castle is open to tour a good portion of the year although no interior photography is allowed as the(scandalous) Lady Willoughby de Eresby is still in residence. Read more about planning your visit on their website.

If your own castle (or home !) suffers water damage, consider contacting AER industries to help dry you out quickly and afford-ably.  They offer air dryers and scrubbers of all types at non-retail prices to avoid a moldy situation or even clean one up.  Bookmark them in case of an emergency!

The chairs of Chatsworth

My penpal Neil just returned from a long tour throughout the British Isles where he toured over 40 country houses; just imagine!! He's been filling my inbox with some amazing photographs and I thought I would share with you some of the chairs from Chatsworth.

Arguably one of the most well known houses anywhere, the house is a treasure trove of historic artifacts, amazing significant art, and just plain pretty things. Pictured here is one of a pair of coronation chairs from the reign of George III.

Here is a painting I found online that sold at auction a number of years ago depicting George III in this very chair (I think).

Some other important artifacts are these chairs from Devonshire House made in 1740 by none other than William Kent. Devonshire House was sadly pulled down in 1924.

These are not exactly chairs to pull up to the table for a casual supper!  They are displayed in a room just off the great sculpture hall much like works of art; which they are.

 The grand upholstery on this Regency chair is very suited to the gilt wood.

 I prefer these beautiful needlepoint sidechairs myself.

 This leather armchair looks suited for a very grand library.

Not all of the chairs are so imposing.  This petite French  fruitwood armchair with what appears to be a Braquenie floral fabric would fit into the most modest house.  If you have time be sure to visit the excellent and interesting website of Chatsworth House!

Glamorgan Castle, Alliance Ohio

 image by don0626 on Flickr

One of my favorite parts of traveling, particularly in the northeast and midwest, is that you never know what you may stumble upon house-wise. Every city or town no matter the size has its area of inspiring houses.

Recently I was in Alliance, Ohio, and stumbled upon a castle. The castle seen here isn't in Wales or Scotland this is small town America!

Glamorgan Castle was built in 1904 by Cleveland architect Willard Hirsh for the Morgan family. Col. Morgan sent Hirsh to travel Wales and study medieval castles to come up with an original design for the family. I wish I could find a client like that!

I was recently reading about porte cocheres on Things that Inspire and this is an impressive example she could have added to her post!

I've never seen such a large porte cochere before, particularly one with a flight of steps up to the front door.

Don't let the scale fool you -this front door is massive.

This enormous ornate 'door knocker' actually isn't a knocker at all but merely decorative. I suppose with a butler in residence a knocker wasn't necessary.

The walls are built of a Vermont marble and the tiles appear to be Ludowici clay tiles which are still manufactured in nearby Ohio.

The upkeep on the property is phenomenal. For the past 20 years the castle has been home to the local Alliance school district. Tours are given on Fridays but unfortunately I just missed it.

The details were all astounding. Not only for their quality (and that they still exist) but also for shear scale.

 These large marble scuppers are found all over the house; probably a copy of medieval originals.

I imagine that the master bedroom is high in the main tower;  Thats where I'd want mine!

 The front door leads one through an enclosed loggia with a crest of the family over the entrance.

These large patinated bronze light posts may be missing their original globes (and sport much too small replacements) but are still impressive.

Based on what I could find online the interior is sadly un-inspired if grand and well preserved. No quirky 'castle' influence mars the period 1905 interiors unlike at Doylestown PA at Mercer and Fonthill.

As an example of the good job that Alliance is doing on preservation the worn marble steps on the kitchen side entrance have been replaced with identical new white marble slabs; Heart warming attention to detail! According to their website they are trying to raise money for the rewiring of original light fixtures. This is the kind of preservation I like to see!

If you find yourself passing through Ohio don't forget to schedule a trip to Glamorgan Castle!