A Beautiful Country House

A recent visit to Cornwall took us to the stunning Antony House, another magnificent National Trust property. This 18th-century mansion set in beautiful gardens and parkland must rank as one of my favourite, partly because it is still lived in. I love seeing how the old and the new can harmonise together (a theme of an earlier blog entry) and this philosophy is very evident here. I hope these pictures inspire you as much as they have inspired me. We may not all live in mansions but we can nevertheless steal some of the eclectic interior design ideas showcased here and use them to good effect in our own homes. See my book recommendation at the end for more of the same!

A view of Antony house from the parkland.

This antique table in the entrance hall displays a pleasingly symmetrical assortment of objects.

The owner showcases very modern work next to priceless antiquities.

A few items of crystal sparkle against the dark wood table alongside this unusual boat-shaped wine cooler.

I love seeing what books people are reading. I have spotted a few of my favourite titles in this way and with Amazon and EBay you can track down just about anything!

A nice view of the drawing room - very grand but also cosy and inviting I think.

A nice collection of antique paperweights stand next to family photos and fresh flowers.

Another beautifully arranged table of interesting and quirky objects. This has so much texture and interest.

You really get a sense that this room is used and enjoyed.

The modern sculptural vase contrasts so well with the antique objects here.

If you like this style of interiors I can recommend Nicholas Haslam's latest book, Folly de Grandeur. It is probably one of the most interesting and engaging interior design books I have read in a long time.

This famous Hampshire home has belonged to Nicholas for over 40 years and he takes you on a very personal and interesting journey through his house in this lavish book. If you like modern, minimal interiors then give it a miss but for those with a more eclectic taste it comes highly recommended.

Click here to see Nicholas talking about his magnificent country retreat and to get a glimpse of his extensive gardens too.