Modern Home Designs: i would move to england if it didn't rain so much

Whenever it rains, I think of England. I'm obsessed with English manor homes lately. I think it stems from the fact that other than Biltmore Estate, we don't have anything like them in the United States. Actually, most of the English homes are older than the United States! Port Eliot seen here is over 500 years old and is set on 6,000 acres in Cornwall , England. It is home to Peregrine Nicholas Eliot, the tenth Earl of St. Germans and his wife Catherine, The Countess of St. Germans. It was featured in Vogue Living in 2007 and has been a favorite ever since. The ninth Earl and his wife were also photographed for Vogue by Horst and were featured in his 1968 book Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, People.

I almost bought a book about English homes at the flea market this weekend but didn't because it had been marked up in red pen. I wish I had now because I'm sure Port Eliot would have been listed. Of course, we Americans who love our instant heat and hot water would probably not enjoy living in these old homes so it's probably best that we don't have any here. But you can always visit and tour Port Eliot when it's open to the public for 100 days each year. You just might want to wear your Barbour jacket and Wellies in case it rains. Cheerio!

Port Eliot Exterior

Roo, the family's famous whippet in another entrance.

Entrance Hall

The Enfilade

Part of the house was remodeled by Sir John Soane including the drawing room.

Looking into the library from the drawing room.

The Earl of St. Germans

The Drawing Room

The drawing room set for a party.

The Round Room

The Salon

Edwardian bamboo sun chair.

The Morning Room was hung with red damask in the 1890's.

The Morning Room

The Staircase Hall or Lobby

Guest Bedroom

Guest bedroom with 17th-century upholstered bed.

Lord and Lady St. Germans in the servants wing that is now used for storage.

The 19th-century china closet in the basement.

The Kitchen

Garden Entrance

Garden and Orangery

The Orangery

The Orangery Interior

The Fountain

Port Eliot

Lord and Lady St. Germans

When I first heard about the upcoming Chatsworth House attic sale at Sotheby's a few weeks ago, my heart skipped a beat. I could only imagine the treasures that would be available for sale. At that time, not many photos were available and I'm very grateful to Sotheby's for sending them so I could share them with you.

As an American, English manor homes will always hold a glamorous allure to me. If you've ever watched Gosford Park, then you have an idea of not just what happens upstairs but the chaos that happens behind the scenes and downstairs. Those days are for the most part over and now the owners open the houses up to paying visitors so they can keep them in the family. When that doesn't quite pay the bills, they are sometimes forced to sell off treasures. Earl Spencer recently had a sale of items from Althorp House to pay for roof repairs. Castle Coole in Ireland was forced to clear it's attics after they were deemed a fire hazard. The most exciting things that most Americans have in their attics are broken Barbie's and old bicycles while the English usually have priceless paintings and antiques.

The Duke of Devonshire is selling off old artifacts and useless objects to clear space in rooms whose doors could barely open and to raise funds. It can cost upwards of £5 million just to keep a stately house and its grounds running per year. Chatsworth House is owned by the Chatsworth House Trust and the family pays rent to live in it. For further reading, I recoomend the fascinating article by Charles Spencer entitled Enemies of the Estate that ran in the January 2010 issue of Vanity Fair that is available online here.

You have probably already seen Chatsworth and not even known it. The house was the stand in for Pemberly in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice staring Keira Knightly. Ms. Knightly also played Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire in the 2008 film The Duchess which was also shot at Chatsworth where The Duchess actually lived after she married to the Duke of Devonshire. Movie shoots also help to pay the bills on stately manor homes as well.

Not only are there wonderful pieces of furniture, china, books, paintings and jewelry, up for sale at the auction but a car, carriages, and fireplace mantels. Many architectural salvage items from Devonshire House in London that were removed before it was demolished in the 1920's will also be for sale. Some of these were found in the old stable block and hadn't been touched for almost a century including pieces designed by William Kent. While I don't think I can afford much in this sale, I might register just in case. Drinking my tea out of a tea cup from Chatsworth House would definitely be chic! Happy Bidding!

Chatsworth Attic Sale

Derbyshire, England

Viewing October 1-4, 2010

Auction October 5-7, 2010

www.sothebys.com

www.chatsworth.org