CASE STUDY
Chatsworth’s Honour
CASE STUDY
Chatsworth’s Honour
In 2014 we embarked on a lengthy process of finding a piece of land for a new home. We wanted to build our own home and consequently found a remarkable waterfront piece of land in a small but beautiful town in the province of Quebec, Canada. It is a rural setting that met our requirements that is quiet, has mature trees (100 years old) and very private.
After acquiring the property in 2015, we started working with an architect on the design of the house. As I travelled frequently to Europe for business, I convinced my husband to visit England and its countryside. We became members of the National Trust, visiting countless estates. He instantly fell in love with the architecture of the many historical houses and buildings as I did. We took a liking to the symmetrical approach of the 19th and 20th century constructions and designed our new house accordingly. Our house is based on what we experienced in Europe, mainly England, through our numerous trips. It took 30 months from the time we broke grounds to the time the main landscaping was completed.
Back in 2013, we made a trip to the Chatsworth estate. It was a great experience as we had been invited by the Duke of Devonshire for a private visit of the estate library. We love the look and feel of these large estate libraries and so being invited in was quite an honor. This was a magic moment for us and inspired us to have our own library. We loved so much the Chatsworth estate that we named our cat Chatworth!
After acquiring the property in 2015, we started working with an architect on the design of the house. As I travelled frequently to Europe for business, I convinced my husband to visit England and its countryside. We became members of the National Trust, visiting countless estates. He instantly fell in love with the architecture of the many historical houses and buildings as I did. We took a liking to the symmetrical approach of the 19th and 20th century constructions and designed our new house accordingly. Our house is based on what we experienced in Europe, mainly England, through our numerous trips. It took 30 months from the time we broke grounds to the time the main landscaping was completed.
Back in 2013, we made a trip to the Chatsworth estate. It was a great experience as we had been invited by the Duke of Devonshire for a private visit of the estate library. We love the look and feel of these large estate libraries and so being invited in was quite an honor. This was a magic moment for us and inspired us to have our own library. We loved so much the Chatsworth estate that we named our cat Chatworth!
"Our affinity for a private library convinced us to secure space for such a room in the house."
Antique stained glass
As we enjoyed going to antique shops in Europe, we found treasures, among other things, a pair of old stained glass in an antique shop in France in 2016. These were created by J.B. Anglade from Paris in 1883 and are signed. The architect was asked to make sure one of the windows in the library would be of the proper size to accommodate these.
Stained glass originally created by J.B. Anglade, Paris 1883
Antique stained glass
As we enjoyed going to antique shops in Europe, we found treasures, among other things, a pair of old stained glass in an antique shop in France in 2016. These were created by J.B. Anglade from Paris in 1883 and are signed. The architect was asked to make sure one of the windows in the library would be of the proper size to accommodate these.
Stained glass originally created by J.B. Anglade, Paris 1883
Given these were originally part of an ensemble and that we were missing the top sections, we worked with experts in Montreal to create, by following the same design, two tops that would make up the full ensemble. To do this we ask that our family crest be used. We were amazed on how these came out and it really provided the look and feel of the library.
Given these were originally part of an ensemble and that we were missing the top sections, we worked with experts in Montreal to create, by following the same design, two tops that would make up the full ensemble. To do this we ask that our family crest be used. We were amazed on how these came out and it really provided the look and feel of the library.
Next, we of course needed to work with a woodworking expert to get both the wood paneling and the built-in furniture that was to showcase the leather-bound books, fireplace, and a replica of a tall ship my husband spent countless hours over many years building. After all, what is a library without a tall ship replica and hunting painting from a British artist!
The Tall Ship
Being inspired by the Chatsworth Estate’s library, I was looking to find a true English chesterfield and made several inquiries in Canada and in the USA. Nothing caught my eyes until I stumbled across Fleming Howland...I was so excited. I figured what better way to give the room the proper English look than with an authentic brown chesterfield sofa hand made in England. Not surprisingly it quickly became one of our favorite rooms of the house to rest but also to relax and watch television. The chesterfield sofa is so comfortable and very sturdy, truly an heirloom. The television sits over the fireplace but is framed as to appear as a picture frame. We never thought televisions were something you should see in a room when it is not on, so we did our best to hide it.
We enjoy sitting on the Fleming Howland Chesterfield to watch the television but still prohibit Chatworth from jumping on it, even when we are there…for now! My husband and I really enjoyed England. It has inspired us tremendously for this wonderful project of ours. Now we will be enjoying it for years to come.
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