Friday Before & After: Chateau du Grand-Luce

Architecture
November 7, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers. Chateau du Grand-Luce, interior designer Timothy Corrigan’s chateau, located in France’s lush Loire Valley. Built between 1760 & 1764 by engineer Mathieu de Bayeaux, the Chateau was privately owned through World War II, when it was then turned into a military hospital and later a tuberculosis sanatorium. The Chateau was purchased by Corrigan in 2004, at which point he began a complete restoration of the vast home. Originally the chateau had twenty bedrooms and two bathrooms; not needing as many bedrooms, Corrigan sacrificed a few for bathroom space, and now each bedroom has an en-suite bath.
Chateau du Grand-Luce is a Monument Historique, a French national heritage site, not dissimilar to our own National Register of Historic Places. As a result, the Chateau falls under the jurisdiction of the Les Architectes des Bâtiments de France, and every landscaping decision, every paint color choice, had to be approved. While the bones of this architectural masterpiece are quite regal, Corrigan wanted the overall feeling to be casual. He spends over two months a year here, and it is his place of restoration and relaxation. Timothy, if you ever need someone to relax and restore with you, I’m available! The gardens at Chateau du Grand-Luce were restored by the French Government in the 1990s, and are open to the public on a limited basis … looks like I might have to pay the Chateau a visit. Happy Friday!

Photos via Architectural Digest

The Pull of Jamaica

Life
November 4, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers … I need a vacation. It could be all the travel writing in T Magazine this weekend, or it could simply be that feeling I seem to get quarterly where I feel the pull of Jamaica. As most of you know, Mr. B and I have fallen in love with Jamaica … and the Jamaica Inn. Sun, sand, sea, planters punch, and croquet … what can I say? – it’s heaven. It has become almost of a tradition, heading down to Jamaica on our anniversary weekend in May, and the minute we leave I am looking forward to the following year’s trip. So today, because I’m missing Jamaica, and feeling like a Planters Punch, I’m sharing some pictures of my favorite place in the Caribbean, Jamaica Inn. For more beautiful photos of this special place, follow @thejamaicainn on Instagram.

Treasures from the Farm

Finds
October 29, 2014

The Mellon’s Oak Spring Farm in Upperville, Virginia – 2000 acres, four residences, and over twenty cottages. Former home of philanthropist and gardening doyenne Bunny Mellon, who passed away this spring at 103. This November, in a highly anticipated sale, Sotheby’s will host three auctions of items from the Mellon’s private collection – Masterworks, Jewelry, and Interiors. Despite the fact that I appreciate art, and I love jewelry, I am most interested in the interiors auction. Even though the Mellons were incredibly wealthy, Mrs. Mellon collected things that she loved, and the collection from Oak Spring Farm includes such things as simple ceramic dishes, baskets, and walking sticks. These photos, courtesy of Sothebys, show that life at Oak Spring Farm, while charmed, was relaxed and comfortable. For more information, catalog, dates, and exhibition schedule, click here.