Most of us are used to dealing with small spaces but what would you do if you unexpectedly inherited a massive estate? When Caroline Magnus and her brother inherited Stokesay Court's 90 rooms and 1,000-odd acres fifteen years ago, they were burdened with estate taxes, and the crippling cost of upkeep and repair. After selling the contents of the house at auction and making necessary repairs to the roof and replacing the ancient wiring, the film "Atonement" used the house for filming and helped the owners with money and additional repairs...
This is a fascinating story (and a great reminder why small is cool!). Check out the full story and more pics at The New York Times.
(Pics: Jonathan Player)
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Comments (9)
Gorgeous!
Wow, I love the built-in benches around the fireplace.
whoa, I am surprised at how much I liked the pictures "after the jump." First, "1000 acres" reminded me of the recent article about the amicable billionaire divorcee who got the 140 acre home and I thought you can't walk that in a day but what charming interiors designers invested time in creating back in the old days. Oh, man. I never get excited or desirous when I see the pricey apartments in Curbed.com but I may not yet be desirous but I certainly like the look of this old home. It's totally cool.
p.s. And I love what she's wearing!
I could never feel comfortable or safe living in that much space
A fascinating article ... not least because she walked away from what seemed a fulfilling life to take this on (a partner of eight years, a new career in a field she loved, etc.) ... then had to sell off EVERYTHING IN THE HOUSE to pay for its upkeep! I don't know if I could do either of those things. But I guess we never know what will feel "right" until we're faced with such decisions.
OMG this is my absolute dream - please, please let me have an elderly relative that lives in such a place leave it to me - I'd give up most everything to have such a beautiful place
(But I'm not sure about the whole "she gave up her partner for the house" thing - its only 3 hours down the road - if you love someone you don't dump them because you've moved 3 hours away - you work your lives around it)
wow...90 rooms...I would probably make 1 small wing of the place mine turn the rest of it into a hotel so others can enjoy it and to cover expenses...or if not a hotel, rent it out on weekends occasionally for extended wedding weekends or company retreats or something...
I'm planning to move out of a house shared with roommates around march and the big question for fiancée and me is studio or 1 bedroom...I can't imagine what 2 people would do with 90 rooms other than invite my family plus aunts, uncles, cousins, plus their spouses and children to live with us...would we be able to get along though? like I said...hotel
yes, i can live in a Vic room for FOREVER. serious. =)