Want to Visit a Castle in the Clouds?

It's a cold and windy day here at the chateau, the perfect kind of day to cozy up inside and work on some projects!

On our trip out east, we spent a little time in beautiful New Hampshire, and visited an amazing mansion referred to as the "Castle in the Clouds".

(The first two photos you see here are from their website, all of the rest are mine, except where I have noted.)

"Lucknow Estate" was built in 1914, by Thomas Plant.

Perched high on a mountain with panoramic views, it truly does feel like a castle!

 At 10,000 square feet, the mansion was built in the Arts and Crafts style, using field stone which was found on the property. 

 Doesn't it look like something right out of a fairy tale?

One of the things I really liked about visiting the castle was that it was a self guided tour, and they allowed you to take photos inside.  A trolley takes you up to the estate, where you are first given a bit of history of the home and Thomas Plant.

 Mr. Plant was born of poor French Canadian immigrants, and he only had an 8th grade education.  Despite that, he made his fortune in shoe manufacturing, quickly becoming a young millionaire.

He then married Olive, and the two never had children.

 The day that hubby and I visited the castle was perfect.  Sunny but cool.

I just loved the attention to detail, from all of the stonework to the adorable dormer windows (below), that make me think of quaint old homes in Europe.

The views were amazing!

 From the back of the mansion, you could see for miles!

The grounds also host many weddings.  Can you imagine what a perfect fairy tale setting it would make?

As a matter of fact, on our trolley going up to the estate was a young engaged couple that are getting married there next year.

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Below is a neat pergola heading out to the back yard.

 Imagine trying to cook on this puppy?  

At one point, they had around 30 servants (for just the two of them!).

 The master bath was one of my favorite rooms in the house!  Built at a time when no one had electricity or plumbing, the castle had it all!

 I snapped this gorgeous view thru the bathroom window.  Love!

 And just check out this shower!!!

 In many of the windows thru out the home were these pretty painted glass pieces.  I thought at first they were stained glass, but they actually are painted.

 Another thing I really loved about our tour was the neat little vignettes that were set up thru out the mansion.

 I was drooling over all of the gorgeous vintage gowns!

 As I'm sure was the custom of the day, Thomas had his own bedroom, and Olive had her own.  He wanted his to face the sunrise, she wanted to be able to view the sunset from her room!

This is her room, below.

 And her pretty sitting area.  I can picture myself taking my coffee here each morning:)

 At the top of the second floor hallway is a huge skylight by Tiffany.

Also is a large portrait of Mr. Plant. 

Ok, now we are back on the first floor!  

I had a hard time taking photos there, as the rooms were on the dark side, and there was alot of glare coming from the windows.

 In keeping with the Arts and Crafts style, there was alot of woodwork and attention to detail.

 A funny part of the mansion was this "secret room", that Thomas had designed just for himself!

Push a panel, and viola!  A private space that only he could retreat to.

Sadly, due to bad investments, the Plants lost all of their fortune, and the estate ended up going into foreclosure.  It was sold several times over the years, once to a very wealthy man from Boston, who bought it as a surprise anniversary gift for his socialite wife.  She took one step inside the mansion, and decided that she hated it!  And refused to have anything to do with it!  Can you imagine?

Thankfully, it eventually was purchased by a preservation society, and opened to the public for touring.

The society has done an amazing job restoring the mansion to its former glory.

If you ever are near Moultonborough, NH, I would highly recommend you visit the estate!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that they have converted the carriage house and stables into a great restaurant.  Hubby and I had lunch there, and it was delish!  Our table was right inside one of the former horse stalls:)

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Thanks for joining me on my little tour!  Have a great weekend!