Cornbury Park For Sale (Sort of)

I have always deeply admired the interiors of John Fowler. For me, he is the only person who has been able to create the true magic of a welcoming yet grand English Country House. One of his very last projects was Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire which he decorated in 1967, just four years before he retired and the period which many consider as his best work. 

The interiors of Cornbury Park have hardly been altered since the Fowler scheme was created there and to see it today is testament to his skill..it still looks absolutely perfect. Where most people would feel the need to fill such a grand house with Opulent antiques and furnishings, Fowler realised that understated elegance was the key to enhancing the architectural bones and creating a place of tranquility that could be enjoyed by everyone who passed through the doors. Instead of formal, French seating he chose down filled upholstery that was comfortable and welcoming. Instead of a rare antique object gracing a side table he would place a simple vase filled with flowers picked straight from the Garden. This look of comfortable elegance sent a powerful message..we are wealthy and we don't need to show it. 

The creation of comfortable elegance. Antique art sits proudly amongst scattered upholstery, potted plants and wall to wall carpet.

When I read the news that Cornbury House was for sale for a mere £3.5million I knew there had to be a catch, and so there is. The price will buy you a 10 year lease, after which the ownership will terminate. In other words you are actually 'buying' the lease of the house which works out at roughly £30,000 per month for 10 years. Would you be happy to splash that kind of cash to rent a fully furnished, John Fowler decorated, English Country House?

The 'sale' of Cornbury House includes 14 acres of garden and parkland.

The Staircase Hall could be imposing but the pared down decor prevents that feeling. You could easily come in from an afternoon of hunting and feel quite comfortable pulling off your riding boots and leaving them to add to the charm. The rich yellow walls add warmth where the stone floor provides practicality. I'm glad the staircase was painted, I have never liked dark wood.

I am sure from looking at the floorpans that this is the Entrance Vestibule. I think it is so beautiful yet very simple.

The Drawing Room is perhaps the most formal room in the house with its silk wall covering and abundance of antiques and objects. Even so, there is still a wonderful feeling of comfort and charm. It seems there are some modern additions to this room such as the lamp next to the fireplace and the carpet. Look at the curtains!

A closer look at the Drawing Room reveals its formality with the gilded door surrounds, formal seating and more ostentatious objects. 

The Ante Room next to the Drawing Room. I always smile at the sense of 'excess' of Ante Rooms; you have a big house if you have a room to pass through a room!

As with most Country Houses, the Dining Room is decorated in a regal red. In the days of candlelight this would have provided a theatrical scene with the flickers of light dazzling the glassware and porcelain.

In the Library a roaring fire coaxes you to take a seat and indulge in time of relaxation.

This Bedroom is typical Fowler. The extravagant bed is the centre piece and the beautiful sash windows which let light pour in are draped with classic curtains. Timeless

Comfort is key at Cornbury. Even the pets are considered!

I have always admired bathrooms that are decorated for comfort instead of practicality. I always struggle to understand why many people decorate their bathroom in floor to ceiling tiles when actually much more can be done. For me a bathroom is a place to relax and indulge in yourself. It should be one of the most comfortable rooms in a house.

This bedroom is so cheery with its yellow scheme. 

All of the bedrooms at Cornbury have been designed as Suites, probably from the days of the Country House party when guests would come for the weekend and bring their own valets and maids. These bedrooms are so welcoming and comfortable, guests would never want to leave. 

Isn't this pink bedroom charming? The whimsical bed hangings are just so fun! 

So, would you be tempted to spend £3.5million on a house that is yours for only 10 years? To me it seems crazy..but those interiors make me question my sense of reason. 

N

The New Classic

I was in London three weeks ago and happened to wander into the Colefax and Fowler store at 39

Brook Street. Anyone who has a passion for interiors will recognise the address as the former home of Nancy Lancaster and THAT famous yellow room. I will be honest and say that discovering the store was a complete accident, a fact I am just a little embarrassed by.  I spend a lot of time in London yet I had never before managed to visit the location of one of my all time favourite interiors; and I call myself a devoted Colefax and Fowler fan.

Outside Colefax and Fowler in London

Now I had discovered it, I was fully prepared to witness for myself the splendor of the yellow room and all of its charms which has captivated so many since Nancy Lancaster worked her magic. What I had not anticipated was the appearance of the Colefax and Fowler showroom and how different it would look compared to the classic Colefax I have always been familiar with.

Of course I had seen glimpses of a new style of C&F in brochures and on the internet, but in all honesty I had ignored them and focused instead on my comfort zone..the Bowood, the Brocade stripe, the Chintzes, all paired together with classic English chairs, antiques and furniture. What was now in front of me was a complete surprise, but actually a pleasant one. Sisal covered floors, freshly painted furniture in neutral hues, glass tables, contemporary seating, all working wonderfully with the classic wall-coverings and fabrics I have always loved. As I walked from room to room, I was almost willing myself not to like it and I felt as though I was betraying a style I had always known. I began to think of John Fowler..what would his thoughts be on this new image for his creation? And then I realised that this is exactly how it would look if he were alive today.

Some people may think I am somewhat behind in my discovery and maybe you are right. However, I have only ever lived full time in Britain and decorated classic English homes for people who wanted the authentic 'Country House' look. In many interiors, this contemporary classic style would not work. Indeed in my own home, a late nineteenth century country house, I believe it would go against the bones of the building and look quite strange with sisal carpet and painted faux bamboo. This is not to say I didn't go from room to room contemplating whether or not it could work after being enchanted by my visit to Colefax and Fowler!

Luckily I have been planning a project for some time now that will allow me to put my new discovery into action and create a home that can incorporate this classic contemporary look with style. Later this year I will be travelling to the Cayman Islands to view several plots of land with the intention of building a home for myself. I have always hated cold weather and had been thinking seriously about finding a place to escape to in the midst of the Winter. After eighteen months of searching for a property it became clear that the only way to get the house I had envisaged would be to build my own. 

Before visiting Colefax and Fowler at Brook Street, I will admit I was struggling to imagine the style of interior that would be suitable for my Caribbean House. I certainly knew that a house full of frills and chintz would not work, however I also would not cope living in a beach style house with nautical stripes and shells everywhere! Since my visit I have been absorbed in exploring this 'new classic' look and would like to share with you some more sources of inspiration. 

This American style home is what I had been dreaming of but could not find. I had always admired Jacqueline Kennedy's 'Red Gate Farm' on Martha's Vineyard - perhaps the biggest inspiration for the house I would like to build.

I have always loved the beautiful, white American homes like this one above and believe that this style would fit best into the Cayman landscape.  The symmetry and solid architecture is what I am used to and what I think is most pleasing to the eye. I want a house that will take advantage of the wonderful light that this type of climate provides and these Georgian sash windows are a perfect way to achieve this aim whilst maintaining elegance. 

'Beauty at Home' by Aerin Lauder has been a great source of inspiration for me. In particular Aerin's home in the Hamptons really proves that you can take aspects of the past and bring them to the future in the most tasteful and charming way. Aerin inherited the house from her Grandmother Esteé Lauder and wanted to create a home that would work for her but also keep alive the memory of a house created by her beloved relative. 

From the book 'Beauty at Home' by Aerin Lauder. These rooms are classic examples of how Aerin has incorporated her Grandmothers taste to suit her own. Using Esteé's favourite blue and white in a contemporary, fresh way.

Another wonderful book and great source of inspiration for me has been 'The Age Of Elegance' by Alex Papachristidis. I had seen some of the interiors created by Alex on Instagram and knew that I had to order the book. As you will see, Mr Papachristidis is the master of this 'new classic' look that I have been preaching and the rooms he has created are exquisite. I particularly love his use of texture and pattern which bring such warmth to a room. 

Hallway Inspiration. Classic but contemporary - the textured carpet, the patterned ottoman and the lined walls are just perfect, in my eyes.

A bedroom to dream in. Texture and pattern working wonderfully

I have always championed Howard Slatkin's incredible book 'Fifth Avenue Style' and its endless source of inspiration. When I was thinking about Powder rooms and Bathrooms for my Caribbean house I immediately thought of Howard and his Guest Bath at his Fifth Avenue apartment. Howard certainly knows how to create jewel like bathrooms and this one below is especially exquisite with its Ivory hardware and pale blush marble. 

The Guest Bath created by Howard Slatkin which features in his wonderful book 'Fifth Avenue Style'

Another of Howard's incredible bathrooms

This hardware from P.E Guerin is perfect for a house by the sea, don't you think?

As I draw to the end of this post I would like to share with you my Pinterest account which can be reached here. If you would like to see more of the inspiration I have found for my new project in the Carribean there is a board devoted to this entitled 'Cayman House.' I actually spent a great deal of time myself looking through the thousands of images I have 'pinned' over the years. It is so interesting to see the images I had liked in the beginning that I now do not really care for! This is the evolution of taste and I am learning to embrace it.  

For those of you who are worried I may have abandoned my love of pure English interiors, fear not, when I finally reached that famous yellow room tucked away at the back of Colefax and Fowler I was once again reminded of why I fell in love with interior design. 

Please feel free to comment: I would love to know how you feel about more contemporary style or of any examples where your tastes have been challenged!

Gilding the Lily - Botanica in the Home

Throughout the Eighteenth Century and beyond there was a supreme thirst for knowledge amongst the European aristocracy. It was a time when technology was advancing and society began to question the World around them. Indeed this was no new fascination; Since the beginning of time mankind has sought answers and solutions to the remarkable World in which we inhabit. However, the Georgians had an extraoridnary way of turning everything they did into a thing of beauty and a work of art. One example is how the study of Astrology was executed in the creation of magnificent clocks which represented the planets. Today one would simply download an 'app' and think nothing more of it. The Georgians ensured that their studies would also be represented in the arts, something which encouraged more people to take interest, not to mention the legacy that these objects created. 

One of the most fashionable topics of study towards the end of the Eighteenth Century that continued through to the Victorian era was the study of Botanica. Particularly endearing to women, the study of flowers and plants in the natural world was a way for the modern Lady to prove her status and education to the rest of society. This topic was considered appropriate and kept the gentlemen happy knowing that their wives were partaking in the study of something 'feminine and pretty.'

Indeed the influence of Botanica quickly developed into the home and became part of an interior's scheme. Cabinets filled with various specimens, albums of decoupage delicately placed, floral fabrics and chintzes upholstered onto furniture, embroidery depicting flora and fauna replacing previous interests. Women were not allowed to make decisions on many things, but the decor, that was non negotiable.

 Today I think Botany is still an exquisite theme that can be translated into any interior to bring an element of nature and femininity to the home, especially when the aim is to create an authentic Georgian residence. 

This incredible dinner Service 'Flora Danica' by Royal Copenhagen is said to be the most expensive China in the World. Each piece is signed twice, once by the artist and then by the gilder. Wouldn't this look lovely in the Dining Room.

 And again, a large range of Flora Danica on display

Although these cushions could be described as more 'Chinoiserie', they still fit the Botanic theme beautifully and would bring a sense of nature into any home. Fabric by de Gournay.

This Engish bedroom decked out in the famous Colefax and Fowler 'Bowood' fabric is ideal for a cosy guest room. Green is one of my favourite colours for bringing a sense of calm to a scheme and this fabric provides that perfectly. 

These hand painted decoupage eggs are just exquisitely beautiful and would look lovely placed amongst other Objets d'art to enhance that Georgian feel. Click HERE to learn how to create your own.

One of my favourite rooms of all time, the Bathroom at Milton in Cambridgeshire. The Georgians did not have Bathrooms but i'm certain this is what they would have wished for. What an interesting place to take a relaxing bath and unwind amongst nature.

These set of eight framed lithographs from icollector.com are just lovely and are similar to the ones displayed above in the Bathroom at Milton.

Botanical prints available to buy online from the Royal Horticultural Society

In Royal Style - The Interiors of HRH Princess Michael of Kent

It only takes a brief look at my Instagram gallery to see that I am a Royalist. I have always admired the sense of history that comes with the family, not to mention their classic taste and style, always managing to look timeless, elegant and never the dreaded 'fashionable.' However when it comes to the Royal Family, what I admire most are their exquisite residencies.

One Royal in particular who is somewhat 'under the radar' yet one of the most interesting is Princess Michael of Kent. As the Princess and her husband, Prince Michael, are not directly in line to the throne and therefore have to earn their own income, they have been able to live more open lives in comparison to other Royals. Some people even suggest that this is a good way for them to earn money. Personally I don't think they particularly struggle in this department.

At this point it would be appropriate to give a detailed history of the Princess and her background, however I will refrain from doing so as this is an Interiors blog and it is rather easy to find this information on the Internet. It is perhaps important to note that Princess Michael was an Interior Designer before she married the Prince, something that will become evident as we take a look inside her home.

The Prince and Princess of Kent have an apartment in Kensington Palace, which has been split up for many years providing residencies for various members of the extended Royal family. Princess Margaret once lived in the residence now occupied by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (apartment 1a) and Princess Diana lived in the apartment next door to Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. I have seen most pictures of how different members of the Royal Family have decorated and furnished their apartments in Kensington Palace and I have to contend that I find the Kent's residence most charming. 

 For me, Kensington Palace is a dream residence. The Grandeur of a large Palace, with the charm of an English Country House, in the middle of London! Because the Palace has been split up, the residencies are able to provide what appear to be large yet comfortable accommodations. The picture above shows Princess Michael's residence (4), Diana's former residence (5), and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's new apartment (2)

There are very few Interior pictures of the Kent's residence inside Kensington Palace. Indeed the only ones that are available are those from photo shoots taken inside the apartment; One reason I am thankful that the Prince and Princess have to earn their own money! 

Here are the first of many pictures of the Princess posing in her Dining Room at Kensington Palace. The most striking thing about this room for me is the beautiful wall covering in a cheery, sunny yellow. The pattern is typically English and immediately gives a timeless look to this exquisite room. The busy print is then softened by the simple window dressings which add another layer of charm and elegance. 

This photograph provides a better glimpse of the fireplace and artwork above. Antique China sits handsomely on the Mantle beneath the impressive moulding which frames the still life oil on canvas. This is a room that needs no excessive grandeur, instead understated elegance is it's mantra. It is easy to forget that this room is inside a palace, such a warm environment has been created here. 

I can't help but feel that the Princess was inspired by Colefax and Fowler when designing this room. Perhaps this is because of the yellow which evokes a similar feeling as Nancy Lancaster's Drawing Room at Avery Row. As you will see, yellow is a firm favourite of the Princess.

The famous Yellow Drawing Room of Nancy Lancaster

Yet another aspect of the cheery Dining Room. Here we can see the typical Georgian symmetry in the placement of the Sash Windows. Aren't the gilded sconces charming?

The Prince and Princess pose here in the Blue Drawing Room at KP, the only available picture of the room. Again, understated elegance seems to be the theme here with plush seating, English style lamp shades and antique objets filling the room. The walls appear to be covered in a blue, silk moire whilst elements such as the black Chinoiserie cabinet and gold door plates add extra sophistication. If only we could see more!

The charming yellow continues in the Study which is the epitome of the English Country House look. Scattered seating allows one to relax and read in comfort amongst the piles of books which only add to the warmth of the room. This is a very personal room with photographs and objects filling every surface. Again, one can't help but think of Avery Row.

At the expense of repeating oneself -Yellow is the chosen palette for the Bedroom which has a folded silk wall covering. Excluding the built in glass shelving, I love everything about this tranquil space. I imagine that in the morning when the sunlight floods in, this room just sings. The gilded mirror provides a luxurious touch and is framed by botanical prints. 

If you want to see more of the Princess's exquisite eye for decor I suggest you research her now sold Country Residence, Nether Lypiatt.