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Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The Magnificent Macaulay House

I have been meaning to share with you the photos I took at the Macaulay House in Picton, Ontario, this past summer. The remarkable thing about the Macaulay House is that is it is so liveable, so likeable, so pretty and yet it was built in 1830 and styled to the 1850s.  Sometimes historic houses look old and dark and stodgy, but not in this case.  If the Macaulay House had a sofa in the living room and some brand-spanking new appliances and electronics I'd happily move right in (oh, and indoor plumbing).

So lets pretend it's my home  -


Come on in and welcome.


I've set the table in the dining room as I knew you would want a cup of tea and a bite to eat.


The dishes do match the room rather well, don't they?


I hope you like the study as much as I do.  I just had to show you a close-up of the wallpaper.  Doesn't it look like it could have been made today with the turquoise and coral colours.


I love how the carpet picks up the same colours as the wallpaper.  That brown leather chair is my favourite place to read, although it is a little unnerving to have that Mr. So-and-So peering over my shoulder.



Well at least I can sit on the other side of the room at the desk and blog away to my heart's content.
 

The china closet is one of my favourite things in this house.  I love having all the dishes out so I can choose which ones suit my fancy for the day.


I also appear to have a bit of an earthenware jug addiction, but who can blame me, they are so pretty.


This is on the mantel in my kitchen.  I'm not sure why I didn't take a photo of the whole kitchen to show you, but I got sidetracked by the charming details.


Aren't those the cutest curtains and they were so simple to make.


I love the worn floorboards and bricks under the wood-stove.


We are lucky to have such a big house that we can use one of the bedrooms as a dressing room.  Isn't it surprising that there are built-in cupboards - very rare for this time period - but very necessary for all my dresses.  I hope you don't mind the mini tub.  We haven't up-graded the bathroom yet. 


This is our daughter's bedroom.  I know she is a bit old for toys but she still likes to have them around.  I think the soft pink walls and creamy white trim are very soothing and I love the quilt pattern on her bed. 


Here's the other side of her room - with more of her toys.


And finally, this is the guest room.  I hope you have a good sleep here under the lacey canopy.  My husband adores the quilt, but between you and me I think the pattern is a bit wild.  It does suit the room, though, and was a wedding present so we use it here.


Feel free to enjoy the garden while you are visiting.  Dinner will be served at 8:00.


How long did you say you will be staying???


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7 comments:

  1. What a beautiful property! I just love everything about that house! I love how people used to eat breakfast with a fully set table...egg cup and all. My Grandmother used to have a fully set table at breakfast...I loved it!
    Angie xo

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  2. I like this game! I would just love to have a china closet like that one!!!
    I'm glad you came over today!
    Rhonda

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  3. Grace what a beautiful historic home! And your photos are wonderful...thanks so much for taking us on a tour!

    Kat :)

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  4. I have looked at all of the details in each of your photos, and I think it's eery how much this place looks like our house. The outside style is different, but it's still three windows across the facade. The foyer is the same, as are the interior chimneys with furniture/cupboards in the recessed parts. The deep windowsills are fabulous when one has cats, I have discovered. The floorboards, the doors and moldings ... not a fancy house ... a classic house. I could go on and on.

    Thanks for taking us along with you on your tour. Touring old houses and gardens is one of my favorite activities, and it's great when others enjoy (and share) the same things.

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  5. Great house and i love the entrance way!!
    You never said what's for dinner anyways?!

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