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Victorian

The Best Victorian Country Houses in England

Filed under: Estates, Books


England's great tradition of country houses spans 700 years, but reached its magnificent apex in the 19th century, Michael Hall demonstrates in his beautiful new book Lasting Elegance: English Country Houses 1830 - 1900 from Monacelli. The houses, designed by the most eminent architects of the age, were bigger, more elaborate, and more lavishly furnished than ever before, Hall notes. The English country house became a byword throughout Europe and in America for luxury, technological innovation, and convenience. Hall's opulently illustrated survey draws on the vast archive of the great British magazine Country Life to present the fullest visual record yet published of the Victorian-era country house in England and Wales. The photographs contained in the book are in many cases the only record of great houses in their heyday, such as Orchardleigh in Somerset, Hewell Grange in Worcestershire, Thoresby Hall in Nottinghamshire, and Stokesay Court in Shropshire - featured in the 2007 award-winning film Atonement - all sold in the 20th century and their contents dispersed.

Green Street, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


Today's home is a beautiful classic 1890s townhouse in Philadelphia's Art Museum area. The 12,456-square-foot Victorian single-family home has been restored in a way that celebrates its vintage lines. The home combines the best of older craftsmanship and modern technology. It has a gaslight entrance and a state-of-the-art security system with panic room. This six-story home has a variety of unique features including recreational opportunities provided by an indoor gun range and a billiards room. A rooftop deck offers views over the city. The home has six bedrooms, seven fireplaces and a Victorian rotunda with original stained glass. There is elevator service to all six floors. An outdoor garden includes a brick oven and there is also a separate maid's quarters with its own entrance and kitchen. This home is listed at $5.55 million.

Gallery: Green Street

Queen Anne Victorian, Estate of the Day


I don't often see the word whimsical in a real estate listing but it fits this one, the charming exterior yields to an interior that is a bit eccentric in places. This home in Lewisboro, New York is a classic circa 1900 Queen Anne Victorian which received a renovation in 2007. The home's restoration has lightened and brightened the five-bedroom home with a liberal use of skylights. Some of the rooms seem rather traditional albeit a bit feminine with liberal use of chintz while others are full of more playful details including a game room. The home has an ample wine cellar and beautiful solarium that shows views of the gardens and the pool. This home is listed at $2.595 million.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Limited Edition Gibson Victorian F-style Mandolin


Attention mandolin lovers! Gibson has introduced a limited edition Victorian F-style Mandolin and there are only 15 available worldwide. The mandolin features many Victorian Era details, including the back side accented with a Victorian Red Sunburst finish, a "double flower pot" inlay featured on the peghead face (a pattern that hasn't been used since the end of the pre-truss era), an ebony fingerboard, and a period correct black face top, to name just a few. Each of the mandolins comes with a vintage oblong hardshell case and a certificate of authenticity.

Via Mandolin Cafe

Treetops, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates


We see plenty of Victorian-inspired homes so it's always nice to see one that is the real deal. Treetops was built in 1859 and has been lovingly restored. It sits on 11 acres and has six bedrooms. The six-bedroom home is full of Victorian details such as marble fireplaces in the bedrooms, pocket doors, bay windows, crown moldings and wide porches. The property includes a carriage house and an in-ground pool. It is listed at $8.5 million. After the jump, roses everywhere.

Own the Real Haunted Mansion

Filed under: Estates

Disney fans take note: the house that was the inspiration behind the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is up for sale. The Harry Packer Mansion was built in 1874 and is in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, a town that is known for its appreciation of Victorian architecture. Despite appearances (and the fact that it is currently used to host Murder Mystery Weekends), the current owners assure prospective buyers that the interior "is anything but spooky," with high ceilings, Tiffany stained glass windows, marble fireplaces, period antiques and fabrics. The mansion is about 4,500-sq. ft. and is priced at $1.75 million.

[the disney blog via boing boing]

Victoriana Beaded Hobo, Handbag of the Day

Filed under: Handbags

Small with a hand-held strap, the Victoriana Beaded Hobo by Betsey Johnson tries to carry on the season's Victorian theme, seen on some runways in high collars and lace, to accessories. And it succeeds. The bag, available in both gold and black, is elegantly embroidered and decorated with color-coordinated beads. The top zipper has a horseshoe shaped zipper pull and the interior has both zippered and slide pockets for holding lipsticks, a cell phone or keys. Price: $225.

3.1 Philip Lim Victorian Jacket

Filed under: Apparel

I love how this Victorian Jacket by 3.1 Philip Lim fit Mena Suvari when she wore it to the Final Fantasy movie premiere. The fitted waist and short length of the jacket really hugged her curves. The jacket also has an old-fashioned, flared tail in the back. The cut would look amazing on anyone with a similar body type. The black and white of Mena's jacket was striking, but for a softer look, I prefer it in light pink. Price: $598.

Inn at 97 Winder

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Detroit News features an elegant little bed and breakfast in Detroit. The Inn at 97 Winder is a 11,000 square-foot Victorian mansion which has been lovingly restored to its former glory. The home was originally built in 1876 but had been stripped of most of its chandeliers and fireplaces and was in a not-so-hot area of town when Ghassan Yazbeck and wife Marilyn Nash-Yazbeck bought 97 Winder in 1986. Now the home's location, near to Comerica Park, Ford Field, GM, Compuware, Cobo Center, Detroit Opera House, Orchestra Hall, casinos, museums make it an ideal place to have an inn. The home is furnished with antiques and each of the eight bedrooms has a different theme. Current rates are $275 to $350 per night and some rooms feature a spiral staircase leading to a turret with views of downtown Detroit.

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