HABITUALLY CHIC DESIGN®

Whenever it rains, I think of England. I'm obsessed with English manor homes lately. I think it stems from the fact that other than Biltmore Estate, we don't have anything like them in the United States. Actually, most of the English homes are older than the United States! Port Eliot seen here is over 500 years old and is set on 6,000 acres in Cornwall , England. It is home to Peregrine Nicholas Eliot, the tenth Earl of St. Germans and his wife Catherine, The Countess of St. Germans. It was featured in Vogue Living in 2007 and has been a favorite ever since. The ninth Earl and his wife were also photographed for Vogue by Horst and were featured in his 1968 book Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, People.

I almost bought a book about English homes at the flea market this weekend but didn't because it had been marked up in red pen. I wish I had now because I'm sure Port Eliot would have been listed. Of course, we Americans who love our instant heat and hot water would probably not enjoy living in these old homes so it's probably best that we don't have any here. But you can always visit and tour Port Eliot when it's open to the public for 100 days each year. You just might want to wear your Barbour jacket and Wellies in case it rains. Cheerio!