2 Favorite Pics of the DOWAGER DUCHESS OF DEVONSHIRE

Pictured smiling with some of her animals inside her beloved home. Hugh Stewart photo Vogue 2003

With her chickens. Hugh Stewart photo Vogue 2003

Remembering The Last Mitford Sister

BY LAUREN MILLIGAN 25 SEPTEMBER 2014

I enjoyed going back and reading about her again.

A life well lived!

xo

Lytes Cary Manor, Somerset England

Lytes Cary Manor is another place that fascinates me lately.

Now owned by the National Trust, it having been passed to them in 1948 by the second owner, Sir Walter Jenner. The house is an small medieval manor house, with an attached Chapel built in 1343. Though much restored in the 20th century, the Manor offers a pleasing look back to 16th century living. More History Here

Four More Unknown Drawings by Beatrix Potter Discovered While Cleaning

I never discover anything while cleaning but dust and more dust! This bedroom is at Medford Hall, the home of her cousins the Hyde Parkers. All the relatives' homes I've seen are stately mansions and they all should have a sign out front saying "Beatrix Potter Slept Here"

I love here interior renderings and you can see all four here: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-36716973

 
One picture was discovered by Lady Hyde Parker, who lives at Melford Hall with her husband, Sir Richard, where Potter took regular holidays between 1899 and 1916. The article contains a beautiful photo of Medford Hall.

Historic Lodge in England

The Lodge, Greys Court, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England via National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

HISTORY OF THE FAMILIES WHO OWNED GREYS COURT

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greys-court/features/the-families-of-greys-court

This is a good read with photos♡

Enjoy. xo

Shakespeare's Daughter's House with 17thC Garden

I copied the two photos above (with my phone) from one of my coffee table gardening books, "The Garden, A Celebration" Edited by Howard Loxton. I love the timber-framed house called Hall's Croft and the rear garden with no blank spaces for the weeds to grow. It looks care free but we all know there's no such thing.🪴

Enjoy the long July 4th weekend extending into Monday.

xo

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Gorgeous Oxfordshire Gardens

via

Too gorgeous for words.

I found the original source for both of these English Country House gardens. This is the text for the walled garden above: In the walled ‘secret garden’, Arne designed a cutting garden with a simple grid layout, which lends itself to tulips (such as purple ‘Backpacker’ and maroon ‘Havran’) and other spring bulbs. After flowering, they are lifted to create room for annuals. Read the full article with more photos: Arne Maynard reinvigorates the garden of an Oxfordshire manor house.

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Most Amazing Kitchen EVER ! ! !

This interior photograph looks like a Dutch painting, doesn't it? To see all the detail and study it, click photo to enlarge. It is actually an advertisement for an English brand called NEPTUNE. Their spring collection is all about the neo-rustic style in English country houses. I might have to save each and every photo to study more closely and swoon over. Yes, I know. I find the best things to share with you. You're welcome. xo

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Hoar Frost Surrounding An English Country House

I subscribe to a BBC Newsletter and this opening photo knocked me off my feet! The article appears to be interesting too, though I've only skimmed it. The title is 'Cottagecore' and the rise of the modern rural fantasy. Even if you don't read it, open the link so you can see a full-page photo of this English Country House. 

Cottagecore is all about the outdoors and slow living – think Anne of Green Gables meets The Secret Garden – Lucy Blackall

After I have my coffee, I have to suit up and dig out my generator. I completely forgot to do that yesterday and it's something you have to do in case you need it. The sky is clearing and there should be sunshine to help melt my driveway. See you later. xo

PS: Want to get the newsletter too? Subscribe here. You're welcome!!!

Manor House Dusted with Snow

Snow is such beautiful decoration for the plantings around this English Country House. A dusting is the perfect amount too requiring no shoveling. via

Royal Nap: The Most Noble Andrew, 11th Duke of Devonshire

The Most Noble Andrew Cavendish, 11th Duke of Devonshire napping in his library at Chatsworth. via
I have posted this photo before but since we are all staying at home and spending a lot of time on our sofas, I thought you would enjoy seeing it again.

He once told an interviewer: "Wonderful things have happened in my life — it's time my son had his turn. When I was young I used to like casinos, fast women and God knows what. Now my idea of Heaven, apart from being at Chatsworth, is to sit in the hall of Brooks's, having tea."

Who Let The Dogs In?

via Badminton House UK

I love the casual pink and white ticking slipcovers. The books piled on the table reflect the real life living of these fortunate owners.

Beautiful gardens indeed. Be sure to click on the link under the first photo to see and read more.

Unseen Beatrix Potter drawings found inside books at Melford Hall Suffolk

Hooray for the cleaning lady who discovered these unseen drawings while she was dusting the books at Melford Hall, a stately mansion in Suffolk England. The delicate drawings depict scenes inside and outside Melford Hall, a Tudor mansion owned by relatives of Potter, whom she visited often between 1899 and 1938. Potter and her cousin Ethel Leech were very close, growing up together in Kensington. After Leech married Reverend Sir William Hyde Parker in 1890, Potter would often stay with her at Melford Hall. Read the entire article here. Old books hide many secrets, don't they? xo

Wild Snowdrops

I saved this Instagram photo of naturalized snowdrops on the grounds of an English Manor House. Mine are just sending up their green shoots but it will be a while before they are mature enough to bloom. I brought them with me from my old house when I moved in my cottage. Snowdrops are my favorite harbingers of spring.

Dream House In England

Teleport me there, now! via

Creating A Space for The Dogs

THE NORTH FRONT

This 18th Century house was 'turned around' in the 1870s, with the north front refaced as the main entrance.

Simon Upton Photo - THE HALLWAY

An eighteenth-century console from Jamb provides shelter for two dogs in this house.

THE ENTRANCE HALL

The spacious entrance hall was originally the drawing room in this 18th Century house. 

All photos by Simon Upton.
Traditional Interior Design Ideas. House and Garden UK

Country House w/ Garden Oxfordshire UK

via

Country House, Oxfordshire, England.
Photograph by Andrew Montgomery.
I wish I could see the whole landscape with the quads around the sundial. 

Alastair Matchett: Rectory and Garden Renovation Cotswolds UK

After half a century of decline, a Cotswolds house was crying out for salvation.

Be still my heart.

When Alastair Matchett bought the Gloucestershire rectory, one wing was not in use; the roof needed replacing; the flagstones needed re-laying or replacing; re-plumbing, re-wiring, and replastering were needed throughout. But he did it all with designer charm. Photo: SIMON BROWN

Read the article in The Telegraph and see one more photo here.