Das Perspective

Showing posts with label House Tour. Show all posts

A throwback to this beautiful kitchen at Charleston House. I visited during one of those timed lockdown visits, which, in hindsight, was a rather special way to experience the house. With so few people around, I could properly linger, look closely, and sometimes even have the whole room to myself.

This is where you enter the house — or at least where you did during lockdown. Walking straight into the kitchen felt quietly intimate, as though you were stepping into the everyday heart of the house rather than a formal museum space.

I loved the simple wooden plate rack lined with hand-painted plates, the terracotta floor, and the soft light coming through the small window. It feels wonderfully unpretentious — a working kitchen that still holds the warmth and personality of the people who once lived here.

Charleston in Stillness

Monday, 9 March 2026

I wanted to share a few photos from this lovely little place I stumbled upon one summer by chance. I was driving past when I spotted a beautiful, rose-covered cottage. I literally had to do a U-turn and stop.

The cottage is called Smallhythe Place. It’s an early 16th-century house with a charming garden and a barn theatre. It was once the home of the actress Ellen Terry, a leading figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inside, it’s simple and delightfully wonky. I loved everything about it.

When I picture a perfect cottage, this is very close to what I imagine. I’d recommend visiting in late June or early July, when the roses and garden are at their best. Sometimes the loveliest places are the ones you discover by accident. Hope you enjoy the photos.

That picture perfect entrance.

The Barn Theatre

Picture Perfect: Smallhythe Place

Friday, 16 January 2026

I think it was really the lockdown that prompted me to stop taking things too easily and actually go out and visit the places I had always wanted to see. One of them was Monk’s House, Virginia Woolf’s 17th-century summer home in East Sussex. I drove all the way from the Cotswolds one summer for a day trip, and it was worth it, especially as it was a hot summer’s day. It’s a very small house, so there isn’t a lot to do, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Afterwards, I made a few more pit stops along the way and really made use of my National Trust card and app. I hope you enjoy these images.

Staircase leading up to bedrooms.

Summer house

Dining room

My kind of "office"

A place to really loose yourself in thoughts

More writing space

Little garden.

I really liked the originality of the place — it felt authentic. These days, you see many wannabes trying to copy this “look”, but nothing beats the real thing.

Monk's House

Tuesday, 13 January 2026

An 18th-century hacienda in Galisteo, New Mexico.

The beginnings:

Amidst the pandemic, the owner, Dani Brubaker, resided in California, a period marked by considerable stress. Consequently, a decision was made to liquidate all possessions and embark on a journey. For a year and a half, Brubaker found accommodation in short-term rental properties, uncertain of her final destination.

Santa Fe, renowned for its abundance of creativity and remarkable illumination, beckoned. The realtor suggested exploring the village of Galisteo, anticipating the owner's interest. Instantly captivated, Galisteo exuded a charm reminiscent of Mexico within the United States. Characterised by a juxtaposition of extreme wealth, exemplified by the likes of Tom Ford's substantial estate nearby, and stark poverty, the village boasted a cohesive community spirit, captivating the owner.

Dating back to around 1750, the Hacienda held the distinction of being the area's inaugural dwelling. Initially owned by one of the founding families, it experienced a period of disuse before reverting to familial possession. Brubaker acquired the property from a long-term resident of 63 years, who had closed off half of the house following her husband's demise.

Brubaker immediately conceived plans to reconfigure the Hacienda, returning it to its original layout and enhancing its spatial flow. However, the unconventional construction, using mud and stone, posed challenges, with the absence of straight walls being a notable feature.

The Design:

The owner is a great admirer of Patricia Larsen, an artist and interior designer, whom she enlisted for assistance. Known for her ability to harmonise various elements and seamlessly integrate outdoor colours, Larsen's approach resonated with the owner's preference for avoiding excessive design. Together, they collaborated on the project, resulting in a successful outcome.

Photos via Welcome Beyond, and via real estate listing.

An 18th-century hacienda

Wednesday, 15 October 2025

Woolsthorpe Manor, nestled in the Lincolnshire countryside, is the birthplace and childhood home of Sir Isaac Newton. At first glance, it might seem like any ordinary English farmhouse, yet its history is nothing short of extraordinary.

In 1665, when the plague forced him to leave university, Newton returned to Woolsthorpe and spent 18 months in quiet solitude. It was here, amid these humble walls, that he conducted experiments which would lay the very foundations of modern science.

The home itself is simple but quietly elegant. There’s a charming imperfection to it—slightly wonky beams, uneven lines—that gives it a genuine Wabi Sabi feel. It’s a house that feels lived in, ready to be explored and appreciated for its history and character.

Here’s a little glimpse inside this remarkable property—where genius once quietly stirred and where every corner whispers stories of discovery.