It Looks As Though We Are In France

I know, I know - here I go again.  I thought the little beeskep would be a good train-ride project. 

Looking at this photo you might be forgiven for thinking we are in the Loire Valley in France.  But no, we're in Buckinghamshire. 

This is Waddesdon Manor, the home to Ferdinand de Rothschild and his sister, Alice.

Waddesdon Manor was purpose built in the 1870's to showcase Ferdinand's extensive art collection and to host his lavish weekend parties.

It certainly is an elegant home - both outside...

...and inside.

Ferdinand was devastated by the death of his wife in childbirth after just 18 months of marriage.  He never remarried.  He did however, enjoy surrounding himself with portraits of feminine beauty as the collage above clearly shows.

 

Ferdinand did not collect just paintings. He amassed amazing clocks, and books, and tapestries, and furniture as well.  The urn on the bottom right was a gift from Emperor Alexander II of Russia.

This charming little bedroom was one of my favorites.  Bedrooms like this were used by husbands who'd partaken of too many cigars and too much port and thus did not want to disturb their already sleeping wives when they finally stumbled up to bed.

From the Conservatory, to the Red Drawing Room, the Baron's Room,  the Morning Room, and Galleries - Waddesdon Manor is an amazing home.

I don't think I've ever seen such an array of chandeliers before.  Note the modern addition on the bottom left!

 

Ferdinand was famous for his parties.  The Prince of Wales was a regular as were the elite of society including prime ministers, members of parliament, business leaders, and actors. Queen Victoria visited in 1897 and this was her bedroom.  She dined separately from the rest of the gathering, but apparently loved the food.  The butler report she ate most hardily and later had her cook from Windsor come and study under Waddesdon Manor's cook.

 

Ferdinand's sister Alice ran the house and inherited it after his death.  She was very hands on and did much to make sure that the art and furniture were cared for and conserved.  For example she outlawed smoking in the house, and closed the drapes against the sunlight protecting fabric and paintings.  

This exhibit of folded linen appeared in several of the rooms throughout the house.  In the 1700's examples of complex folded linen designs were all the rage at lavish dinners.  All of these were done without any stitching - just starch!

 

No visit to Waddesdon Manor is complete without a walk about the gardens.  Here Ferdinand's passion for statuary is instantly obvious.  When he purchased the property to build the house and garden much needed to be done - including leveling 9 feet of the hillside to create enough space to build!  I cannot imagine the number of people and horses needed to make the changes. The building project took over seven years.

Ferdinand wanted instant effect and purchased mature trees to transplant on the property.  They were brought in by railroad and then transported by a team of 8 Percherons in special carts that then could drop the trees directly into the holes already dug for them.

While much of the extensive property is planted out to a natural effect, there is an Aviary and a Rose Garden.

 

The back of the house is planted out in a much more formal style to reflect and compliment the house.

 

I like the ivy pattern on the tower.

There are wonderful views of the house from this part of the garden.

And once again you might be forgiven for thinking you were wandering about at Versailles or a French chateau.

 

The Parterre is an explosion of form and color.

 

We had a great day at Waddesdon. An amazing man, amazing house, and lovely landscape.