The Paine, part three

Finally! I sorted through literally over a hundred garden photos of this lush landscape a The Paine in Oshkosh, WI. I may still be in my late twenties and it may be terribly un-chic for someone of my age to be this into plants but I just can't help myself. See what I mean from these photos I took while I was there:

I cannot get over this peaceful little spot. I would love to eat breakfast here.

Leading into a lush shade garden

  

Carriage house with mature vines, so lush and beautiful.

Espaliers outside the carriage house, I wish I had a better photo of these lovelies

 

Original gate in the side yard

Absolutely love these textures by the back gate

Natural looking enfilade lined with lavender

 

Swiss Chard border brings in so much color

This mature lavender is about nearly six feet tall. Love the tuteur.

Limelight hydrangeas lining the lawn

A lovely and restful place to sit.

Happy Spring!!

Photos by me, please credit if you would like to share. Thanks!!

The Paine, part two

More architectural details from the Paine, more information on these architectural features here.

The Paine, part one

First things first - Happy Easter! So, I've been thinking about sharing this house for quite some time. Last summer I was visiting family and we drove up to Oshkosh from Chicago to see a Chihuly exhibit featuring his Venetians at this historic house in Oshkosh, WI. I like to share lesser known historic houses here on the blog and this one is just lovely. The interior was very nice but what was truly striking was the gardens. So today I'll start with the house and then in celebration of Spring, I'll be sharing all my garden photos in a following post. Photos were not allowed inside so these are all from the Paine Center's website, unless exceptions are noted. Enjoy!

source 

The house belonged to Nathan Paine, of the Paine Lumber Company, and his beloved wife Jessie. In 1925 the Paines hired Ithaca, NY based architect Bryant Fleming to build their Tudor Revival house. Construction commenced in 1927 and finished just three years later.

The couple had no children and built the house with the intent that it should be a museum and place for the citizens of Oshkosh to enjoy both art and music. So let's go inside.

The Stair Hall, above, was hand-carved in the Michigan workshop of Alois Lang, a Bavarian-born master craftsman using the acorn and oak leaf motif. This hall leads to the Great Hall, above, which is remarkably spacious and influenced by the Tudor and Elizabethan styles of the 16th Century, below.

My favorite spaces in this house are the dining areas. To be sure, the Georgian Dining Room is one I would gladly take any day! The walls feature paneled walnut with carved boxwood and pine adornments purchased from England. The plasterwork ceiling is also very beautiful.

But this room is just my favorite. It is the Breakfast Room and the indoor-outdoor feeling of the enclosed porch feels very current.

Another favorite space is the impressive Library. Showcasing Jacobean influence, the rose motif can be seen throughout. The wood paneling is walnut, unvarnished so the grain is so beautiful! It pays to be in the lumber business! The house has some stunning examples of very fine woods, beautifully finished which is fascinating to see.

The gallery is where the Chihuly exhibition was held. It is such an amazing, bright space. Very airy and peaceful. You can really sense that the Paines intended this space to be enjoyed be all from the very conception of this estate.

While this room was intended to be their master bedroom, it was never occupied. Still, it is a beautiful room with the dentil molding, ionic columns and beautiful proportions.

And just a sneak peek at the garden...

 Folks, this is a tool shed. I first thought it a folly, but nope - how practical and beautiful!

And the Carriage House.

As a reminder, all the photos are shared from the Paine's site. I hope if you're ever in the area you'll stop in even if just to luxuriate in the beautiful gardens!

buy this house

Whenever I'm feeling a little homesick for the U.S., I pick a state and start window shopping their real estate ads. I know, strange. But the other day I found this gorgeous lake house built in the 1880's and just a short drive from Chicago in Wisconsin. I'm smitten with the enclosed wrap around porch and original woodwork. So take a peek:

It comes replete with the original boathouse and gazebo. It even has a bowling alley!

Naturally there is some restoration and updating I would consider but I hope whomever decides to call this home keeps all the charming details and woodwork.

villa louis

Being American, I have a weakness for Victorian American houses. My favorites are a little off the radar and capture a moment in time. Villa Louis in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin is one of them. The Victorian mansion, constructed in 1870, replaced an earlier house from 1843. The house contains fine examples of Victorian decorative arts. Almost all the furnishings, artworks, china, glass, silver and books originally belonged to the Dousman family.


Hercules Louis Dousman (1800 - 1868) made his fortune as a fur trader, lumberman, land speculator and frontier entrepreneur. In the mid-1840s the Dousman family began developing their estate, Villa Louis. With the help of Milwaukee architect, E. Townsend Mix, they expanded the house in 1870 in the fashionable Italian Villa style.

In 1882, Louis Dousman, inherited his father's estate. As a new country gentleman, Louis and his wife, Nina Sturgis Dousman, constructed stables, barns, a race track and other out buildings. As a horse person, the fact I loved most was that they believed the artesian well water to have a therapeutic qualities in this location which would make Louis' racehorses faster and stronger than all others. Dousman hired a Chicago-based designer from the William Morris Company of London. The result was a reworking of the mansion, paying homage to the British Arts and Crafts Movement.

It is also the place of an annual carriage classic.

Image from Winona Daily News, Hamline, Villa Louis