A Royal Restoration

The February 2012 issue of Architectural Digest arrived in my mailbox this weekend.  And, boy is it good.  On the cover: Prince Charles and his newly renovated historic mansion, Dumfries House.  The article is excellent, chronicling the history of the property (which is totally fascinating).  Built by the Earl of Dumfries in 1759, the Palladian estate is located in Ayrshire, Scotland.  The property contains over 50 (yes, 50!) commissioned pieces of furniture from an up-and-coming 18th century designer named Thomas Chippendale.  Can you believe it?  One Chippendale cabinet, which resides within the home, is valued at $8 million.


Dumfries House has remained mostly vacant for the last 150 years.  And in 2005, the owners found it just too much to handle.  So, they contacted Christies Auction House and decided to sell it and all it's belongings.  That's when the drama unfolds...  Just weeks before the historic auction is set to take place, Prince Charles decides to buy the 2,000 acre property and everything in it.   Trucks full of furniture, on their way to London, literally turned around and went back.  Great story, right?  The palace has been lovingly restored, with exceptional attention to detail.  It now stands as a proud historical testament to British art & architecture.  The Dumfries House is also open to visitors, and Prince Charles returns to the property about 5 times a year.

via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest

Easily my favorite shot from the AD feature:

love the fabulous historic portraits, ceilings, and layered rugs.

For more fabulous images of the estate, pick up the February 2012 issue of Architectural Digest, or click HERE to see the slideshow.

Here are some additional images of the property from other sources:

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a craftsman carefully restoring the plasterwork

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Dumfries House 18th century Chippendale cabinet

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On a royally related note, it's also the Duchess's 30th Birthday today.

(wearing an Alice Temperley lace dress)

 

Party it up, Duchess.

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Margaret Russell at Architectural Digest

At long last, there is hope for Architectural Digest. 

It was announced last June that AD's Editor in Chief since 1975, Paige Rense Noland, was retiring.  And, I think we all waited with baited breath to see who would replace her.  After all, the one-time prestigious leader of the glossy shelter magazines had lost it's luster.  I think you'll agree with me when I say that the pages of Architectural Digest appeared stuffy and distant in comparison to those of trendy Domino Magazine and cheerful House Beautiful.  Flipping through the pages, I never felt like the homes in AD were actually occupied by real people.  It all felt like a weird dream, every space seemed cold and unattainable. 

But thankfully, that's all about the change.

image courtesy of The New York Times

Former Elle Decor Editor in Chief, Margaret Russell, has taken over.  And, she's made it clear that Architectural Digest is headed in a new direction.  She wants to cater to a younger reader, broaden AD's online presence, and untimately bring life back into the magazine. 

The first issue of Architectural Digest (with Russell at the helm) is on newsstands now, and I can't wait to get my hands on it...

image courtesy of Habitually Chic

A living room designed by Michael Smith graces the cover, along with the title "Age Of Elegance"... in bright pink no less.  Looks good already!

So, have you seen the new issue yet?  What did you think?


To learn more about the change in leadership, read this fabulous article by The New York Times.   I highly recommend it-- if only for the drama itself!  (Who would have known that Noland wanted to "kill" the likes of House & Garden when she was Editor?).  It's a good read.

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