Clandeboye
by habituallychic
01 . 27 . 09
I’ve been a little behind on my magazines and have been trying to catch up before the mammoth March issues arrive and I’m so glad I finally got through February’s W magazine. I’m still marveling at the extraordinary life of Lindy, the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava who lives in Clandeboye, a 2,00 acre estate in Northern Ireland. I guess she could be described as eccentric but in a good way. She grew up in and also married into the Guinness family, spent the winter of her 14th year with her father, step-mother and Truman Capote in Palm Beach, sailed with Jacques Cousteau, and with her husband became “central figures in the contemporary art scene in London” where she became a collector of David Hockney, Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud who also became a brother-in-law by marriage. Today, she continues preserving the family home that she and her late husband restored which is filled with British empire furnishings. The entire story by James Reginato had me enthralled and can be read online at W magazine.
The entry hall above is decorated with souvenirs and treasures from East Asia that were collected by the First Marquess of Dufferin and Ava who was an ambassador.
Lady Dufferin doesn’t mind getting dirty in her garden!
Al the bedrooms are named after places that the First Marquess was sent as an ambassador and the beautiful room above is “Paris.”
The gallery has beautiful furnishings and amazing floor to ceiling windows.
A lovely portrait hands above the bed in the “France” bedroom.
The bookcases in the library are inscribed with the names of Greek gods in gilt and is home to beautiful leather bound editions.
This whole story reminded me of the type of home that would have been chronicled in watercolors similar to those I saw at the show at the Cooper Hewitt this past weekend and I wasn’t wrong but in this case, they were painted by the lady of the house in oil. Lady Dufferin or Lindy Guinness as she is known in the art world painted The Library at Clandeboye, Morning Light above in 2003. An exhibition of her paintings will open in April at the Browse & Darby Gallery in London. I may have to plan a trip across the pond for it because I can already imagine that it will be quite an event!
One of the most interesting rooms is the inner hall which houses heraldry, weaponry and hunting prizes. And the outside of the estate below is just as majestic as the interior and the story of Clandeboye! 
17 Comments
I wonder who it will all be left to after her demise, with no heir to the marquessate. She seems to have picked up the pieces after Sheridan’s death, and clearly has talent as an artist, (and reluctant entrepreneur). Very interesting post. Thank you.
Sigh. That was lovely
I’m drooling over that library!
Wow, what a palace! I could just lie forever in that France room, with a few books borrowed from that amazing library, of course.
What an enchated life!
Ahhh… the bed in the “France” bedroom is so dreamy and looks super cozy right about now.
Beautiful post. The library is a place to get lost in.
I love that green velvet couch! But then I lust after EVERY green velvet couch I see. And green velvet wall coverings.
HC – Thanks for the post – I enjoyed it all…
except for the inner hall
:^)
Condé Nast has folded its shelter mag Domino. The March issue will be their last. “The publisher, Beth Fuchs Brenner, and the editor, Deborah Needleman, will leave Condé Nast, a company spokeswoman, Maurie Perl, said. A handful of staff members will be placed in open Condé Nast positions, but most of the staff of about 80 will be dismissed and will leave the company within a week.” Lucky’s safe, though—at least, for now. [NYT]
So lovely. I especially like the blue walls in the entry way.
What are those crazy plants that Lady Dufferin is standing amongst? I love them! I need them in my garden!
Ok, I want to meet Lady dufferin..or be her! fabulous painting – would love to see her exhibit!
Thank you for habitually chic- i look forward to reading it every day!!! such a fun treat- I must say i am very sad about domino- it was my favorite.
Becky
Richmond
Liz – the “crazy plants” are gunnera – they are huge, but fall way to nothing in the winter!
why did i ever stop getting this magazine? I forgot they did these wonderful home profiles! Now is the time to support the magazines left, I need to renew my subscription today!
These are so gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing.
i want my home to look just like this… someday…
lusting after that bookcase. sigh.
Re the 1st Marquess: there’s grand memorial to him in the grounds of Belfast City Hall. I’ve a link to it on my own blog.
Tim