Let’s begin at the beginning, shall we?
I have always been obsessed with big old houses. From an early age, I was intrigued by the mansions that took center stage in movies—many of them of the “spooky old house” variety. In literature, as a young reader, I devoured the Nancy Drew series, entranced by hidden staircases and secret passages. I then moved on to gothic novels, old and new. These tales, set in ancient castles and rambling country houses shrouded in mystery, captured my imagination—and if there was a ghost in there somewhere, all the better. To this day, I continue to gravitate toward novels and films where the house plays a leading role, if not the leading role.
Family Field Trips (Willing and Otherwise)
In my teenage years, I began coaxing my family into visiting grand old homes of historic interest whenever we travelled. It was becoming obvious that I had a serious passion—one that could not be ignored. My siblings were not impressed.
On a Toronto excursion, I remember my much younger sister, on the verge of hysteria, begging my mother to “just leave her here,” in the dusky towers of Casa Loma—“her” being me—so they could go shopping at Eaton Centre instead. On another family holiday, I recall my good-natured brother, brow furrowed, genuinely baffled as to why we were boarding a ferry bound for Vancouver Island just to mill about in some dusty old relic (a.k.a. the fabulous Craigdarroch Castle).
New England, Then the World
As I grew older, I discovered New England, where there are old mansions aplenty and history galore. New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island kept me busy for years. I visited the haunts of the Vanderbilts and Livingstons along the storied Hudson River Valley. Long Island’s fabled North Shore, birthplace of Fitzgerald’s Gatsby, is a treasure trove as well. Next came the grand estates nestled amongst the hills of Edith Wharton’s picturesque Berkshires. And let’s not forget the Gilded Age summer “cottages,” where the wealthy played, perched high above the craggy cliffs of Newport’s Atlantic shore. Of course, when I finally ventured across the pond to the UK, I was in absolute heaven. The English Country House—my ultimate obsession. The world of Above and Below Stairs. Gosford Park in real life. I was, and continue to be, entranced.
Details That Endure
Even as a child, the detail of design was never lost on me. Millwork—whether it was the elaborate carvings of a skilled craftsman engraved on a newel post, or the uniform lines of beadboard in the scullery—made a lasting impression. There was the butler’s pantry that left a mark: the remarkable simplicity of face-framed cabinetry, coated in centuries of mossy green paint. A parlour’s intricate ceiling once caught my young attention; decades later, that ornate plasterwork became inspiration for a living-room ceiling I designed.
Rooms That Linger in the Mind
So many spaces captured my imagination and left their imprint. The romance of a dining room bathed in the amber glow of an impossibly large crystal chandelier, windows and walls adorned with the faded beauty of buttery silk. The cavernous oak library, home to the leathery patina of club chairs and rows of ancient, weathered spines, hinting at the cigar once smoked. The drama of a darkened drawing room, fitted with cabinets of curiosities, its walls lined with exotic murals that transport the beholder to faraway lands. The list goes on…
Always Looking Up (and Back)
To this day, I continue to seek out inspirational sites of historic and architectural interest—hotels, restaurants, museums—wherever my travels take me.
A word of caution: anyone considering travelling with me should understand there will be visits to more than one historic house. Thank goodness my husband has learned to love turrets and gables. Still working on my teenage boys.
And if one dares to venture with me to the UK, specifically, one must be prepared for my National Trust Country House—and Ghosts—Tour. A shout-out to my sister (yes, she survived Casa Loma all those years ago) and my mother, who have bravely endured this itinerary.
So glad you are here!
My monthly journal will explore topics such as century home renovations, the “how to” for adding old world elegance to new spaces, maximalist design, and of course, my love of big old mansions.
More exciting news – I will be sharing the inside scoop on what it takes to reimagine a historic property and develop it into a luxury boutique hotel.
We hope you will come along for the wild ride!
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