Formal dining at Mottisfont

While looking for a photo to accompany last Friday's link-up post I rediscovered my photos from the National Trust's Mottisfont in Hampshire, and there's many which I've not shared here yet, so I plan to put that right and today I'm starting with some formal dining.

For me, seeing these properties set out as they would have been in their heyday is what brings the place to life on a visit, an it's something the NT does well. Clearly as I wander around the place I'm imagining the house is mine, I have staff and will be entertaining again that evening, and this scenario has yet to become tiresome. 

I'd be happy to have dinner served on this jade patterned dinner service.

And the dining room is pretty special too, isn't it? 

The panelling isn't quite what it appears though. It's believable and very effective, but is a trompe l'oeil. But it was the chairs and their upholstery that caught my eye  the simple, yet elegant fabric, no doubt silk, provides enough bling, sparkle and classic detail to be quietly, but confidently, understated. 

And when you see the floor, it's clear why that simplicity is needed. Now for the life of me I can't remember if the flooring is carpet, as we'd expect it to be, or another trick for our eyes. Logic tells me it should be carpet, but then again it looks too flat, and perfect, so perhaps it isn't.  

It's a looker though isn't it? If you've been to Mottisfont and can put me out of my misery, then please post a comment and let me know: carpet, or clever trickery?

Two loos at Max Gate

It's been a little while since I've shared a loo, or two here, so that's just what I've got planned for today. And just like buses, there's two - both from the same National Trust property, Max Gate.  I shared pictures from the garden there last month, but our visit - well mine anyway - actually started in the loo, and it wasn't quite what I was expecting.

To set the scene, Max Gate is, or was, Thomas Hardy's house and had had tenants until relatively recently. So when I found myself in the loo, I was surprised to find myself in a normal bathroom, and one with a bath.  

It really was quite odd. Mainly because the bath felt out of place, and I couldn't help wonder if any visitors to the property took advantage of the bath, even now remembering I'm having a little giggle.  

I think the picture below - and my face - sum up my bemusement.  

The bathroom was functional and clean, and well, just a little domestic, and if you're wondering full of flowery charm, and thankfully no one in the bath!  In fact I was so set back my the bathroom that I insisted MOH visited before we headed out into the garden.  Humouring me he did, and he left just as bemused - see, my work here (or rather, there) was done...

But it wasn't the only loo in the house, and I did promise you two.

Upstairs it was an entirely different story, and a loo, you're more accustomed to seeing here.  I mean, just look at that wallpaper. 

I'd happily have the wallpaper on the top half of the wall today, I'm less keen on the border and striped lower half, but it just screams tradition doesn't it? 

And traditional also means a high level cistern.  

And a chance to admire that gorgeous wallpaper again. 

So there you have it, two more loos, and another first for the Loo Series as I'm pretty sure this must be the first to include a bath. I'm curious now though, have you experienced anything similar?

Post Comment Love 9 - 11 March

Hello there and welcome to another PoCoLo on what has been an super quiet week on my blog, in fact today is only my second post of the week so at least I didn't have lengthy deliberations about what I'd link up this week...

If you were here last week then thank you and reassurance I will pop over to you soon, and you're new here this week you're very welcome, it's great to have all of you along.  

I've been out of the blogging game this week as it's been all go at work, and the project I've been working on for most of the year is now out there. It's been fairly stressful and even more so this week, and has involved many hours, but it got there. It's the sort of project that won't be widely acclaimed by many, but it's also the sort of project that was important to me to do well. 

But that's meant something has needed to give, and over the past few weeks it's been here on the blog, but I'm hoping that will now change, so please bear with me.  I've also no photos from the past week either, so I'm digging into my archives and I found this picture of the Lime avenue at Mottisfont in Hampshire from last March. The blue skies reminded me of the skies and yesterday's mild weather, which after the snow from last week has been most welcome!

Let's hope that March remembers what it's supposed to do and there's much more Spring-like weather to come,  I really am ready for it.

Blogger Showcase: Deborah from Style by Deb

Morgan is hosting all of Deborah's answers this week, so do pop over and find out more.  Deborah found us via our tweets and her blog - Style by Deb - covers beauty, skincare and lifestyle and she admits to being a huge cat lover and a Christmas junkie and uses her blog to showcase her personal style.

Connect with Deborah on social media here:  Instagram  -  Twitter  -  Facebook  -  Pinterest  -  

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