Photo: Courtesy of Karina Waters1/12A house is not a home without a dog . . . or two! And so, this autumn we opened our hearts, home, and family to two rescue dogs—Alfie (who always welcomes us at the front gates) and Winston.
Photo: Courtesy of Karina Waters2/12The first frost brings a fresh crispness to the air.
Photo: Courtesy of Karina Waters3/12Winston and Alfred on one of their routine, daily inspections of the Château and terraces. Our chiens de garde!
Photo: Courtesy of Karina Waters4/12An early morning, autumn mist creeps across the Aston valley.
Photo: Nina van Ewijk5/12One of the great charms of the Château is its skillful and symmetrical layout, as if rooms have been designed for each time of the day, and for each season. Walking up the central grand staircase, one is immediately presented with this view.
Photo: Nina van Ewijk6/12Looking down upon the Château woodlands.
Photo: Courtesy of Karina Waters7/12Recently, I discovered this Château-sized bathtub at a local bric-a-brac store. It is soon to be installed in the medieval makeover bathroom, along with a mid-19th-century portrait of a lady.
Photo: Courtesy of Karina Waters8/12Antoinette, the Château cat, in the Salon de Musique.
Photo: Courtesy of Karina Waters9/12This is the room undergoing a medieval makeover. The 17th-century walnut doors, found in a local antique store, are slowly being stripped of the layers of blue paint. Colombage walls have been built to look harmonious with the other walls in the room. The original terra-cotta flooring will be laid over electric in-floor heating.
Photo: Nina van Ewijk10/12Napoleon III chairs awaiting repairs on a rainy day.
Photo: Nina van Ewijk11/12In this bedroom there are three large casement windows, each framing their own mountain view.
Photo: Courtesy of Karina Waters12/12The last buds of the prairie of wildflowers, which we sowed in spring, continue to paint and color the front terrace.
