Country Decor Blog

This weekend, I had dinner at the most spectacular home I’ve ever seen. Literally, this mansion (and I mean mansion) should be in the movies. And this wasn’t your typical uber-home built with no interest or sensitivity to architectural integrity. No, this house is an original: built in the late 1800s as a summer home for a wealthy American family. I can’t tell you where the house is - the homeowners are very private - but what I can tell you is that I felt thankful that residential architecture like this exists in this country.
Here are some of the details: original patterned slate roof, surrounded by the original dry moat, oriented to look spectacular when approached by a horse and carriage (not to worry, the homeowners actually have a horse AND carriage), 14-foot ceilings, spectacular atrium… the list goes on and on. What was so fascinating about this experience was that sense of pride that comes from meeting homeowners who actually appreciate and love their home. Sure, my own tiny house could fit in their front foyer (not kidding), but we were able to chat about similar experiences in restoring and renovating old houses. You know, the conversations about those contractors who would say “you should just tear it down” (and then you show them the door) and what to do when there is no such thing as a “standard” window size - because every window in your house is different. But beyond the incredible experience of being inside this house, I was also impressed by the homeowners’ decorating style. Very authentic boho chic. Wonderful old pieces of furniture with their original upholstery, eccentric vintage light fixtures. And the colour! One room is painted a deep aubergine, another in the most intense saffron. And back to the movies? Well, you HAVE seen this house before in the movies. In fact, they host photo crews their often. I’m totally inspired now to find my own country spot just like theirs. Of course, the one that I’ll be able to afford will, like my city home, fit in their foyer!