Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at 300 Years at Blenheim, Home for the Holidays Showhouse, and a Christmas Topiary Tutorial. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
300 Years at Blenheim
There are few stately homes that captures the imagination quite like Blenheim. Blenheim Palace isn’t just another stately home—it’s the stately home, the reigning monarch of Britain’s aristocratic abodes. As the ancestral home of the Churchill family for over three centuries, it stands as a triumph of baroque architecture and English heritage. In her captivating new book, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, a twelfth-generation Churchill, takes us on a rather exclusive tour of the palace, offering insights that only someone with such enviable credentials could.
Designed by the dynamic duo of John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor in the early 1700s (both protégés of none other than Sir Christopher Wren, naturally), Blenheim is a masterclass in grandeur. With stonework that defies time, furniture fit for royalty, and tapestries so exquisite they’d make even the Louvre a tad envious, the palace is an ode to craftsmanship. Not to mention the gallery of artistic masterpieces by the likes of John Singer Sargent and Joshua Reynolds.
Lady Henrietta doesn’t merely dwell in the grandeur of the palace’s formal staterooms and expansive gardens; she offers a rare glimpse into the family’s private quarters. The book guides readers into the family apartments, where secret corridors whisper stories of illustrious guests, and even downstairs to the staff quarters, complete with a bell system so iconic, it could have inspired Downton Abbey.
With its sumptuous photography and Lady Henrietta captivating tales, 300 Years at Blenheim is a sophisticated journey through one of Britain’s most iconic homes. Whether you’re an aficionado of baroque architecture or simply indulging in a touch of aristocratic daydreaming, Blenheim Palace leaves us longing for an invitation to tea in the stateroom.
Home for the Holidays Showhouse
While we’ve only just started anticipating the impending autumn, we couldn’t resist sharing Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles’ announcement of the 2024 Home for the Holidays Showhouse. This year’s showhouse offers a fascinating blend of history, set in the iconic former Buckhead residence of legendary golfer Bobby Jones. Once the very place where Jones helped envision Augusta National Golf Club, the 1929 Colonial home has been thoughtfully reimagined to honor its storied past while embracing contemporary living.
A dream team—Firelight Homes, Tish Mills Interiors, architect Kirk Design, and landscape architect Floralis Design—has worked wonders on the 1.5-acre Atlanta landmark, breathing fresh life into the space. Originally a gift from the City of Atlanta after Jones secured his 1930 “Grand Slam,” the residence has been expanded while still retaining its historic elegance.
Iconic spaces, like Jones’ study where the Masters tournament was conceptualized, have been meticulously preserved, alongside sleek new features like a two-story grand hall, a family room with a coffered ceiling, and a hidden scullery off the modernized kitchen. The original entrance on Northside Drive has been restored as a back door, leading to a lush garden and aquatic oasis—complete with subtle nods to Augusta National.
Come November, designers will transform the interiors of this storied home into a festive oasis, perfect for holiday celebrations. Running from November 21st to December 15th, the showhouse will feature a host of events and activities, with all proceeds benefiting the Atlanta History Center. Stay tuned for more updates as we count down to this exciting event. See you there!
Christmas Tree Topiary Making
On the note of holiday spirit, Parker Kennedy and Julianne Taylor are teaming up for a special pre-holiday crafting session. On September 10th, join these two tastemakers in Charleston for a festive afternoon of Christmas tree topiary making. Guests will have the chance to create their own charming topiary, perfect for decking the halls. And the creativity doesn’t stop at Christmas trees—this technique can easily be adapted for other delightful décor projects!
View this post on Instagram
Spots for this event are limited, and all materials and supplies are included. To reserve your spot and join in the fun, contact Parker Kennedy via direct message here.
Read our favorite articles of the week!
Mark D. Sikes Directs the Second Act of a Legendary Hollywood Estate written by Nancy Hass for Frederic.
Dipping Into Provence and Marrakesh, Via olde-worlde England, Fashion Designer Johnson Hartig’s Home is a Dense, Dayglo Cornucopia, Rich With Chintz and Chinoiserie written by Matthew Dennison for The World of Interiors.
Years ago in the 90s, I was visiting Blenheim Palace and at the end of our tour, late afternoon, a car drove up and a man got out and walked into the side wing. As the rest of the tourists left the building, there were 3 of us still chatting about Blenheim and the guide said to us “that was the Duke that just drove up and sometimes he will give a personal tour of the private living spaces… would you like me to ask him?” We, of course, said yes and the Duke graciously gave us a tour of his home and it’s a wonderful memory I shall never forget!