Downton Redux: Decorative Recap of Season 1

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bemoretunedin.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/downtonabbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bemoretunedin.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/downtonabbey.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Series Production Designer: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0940578/">Donal Woods</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Series Set Decorator: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0188664/">Gina Cromwell</a></div><br />Tonight starts the beginning on the long awaited return to Downton Abbey, on PBS/WGBH's Masterpiece Classic. If you were among the legions of devoted fans on both sides of the Atlantic who watched Season 1 you are undoubtedly excited about Season 2. (Those in the UK have already seen it).  If not, you missed a fantastic series filled with lush sets and costumes, romance, drama, the sinking of the Titanic and the beginning of WW1. All in 4 x 1.5hr episodes.  You can download it from iTunes or stream from Netflix, but you better get going, you only have 6 hours till tonights premier! Meanwhile, here is a visual recap of season 1 to help set the stage for the next chapter. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Downton Abbey is played by Highclere Castle</b></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/view-of-the-abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/view-of-the-abbey.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.downtonabbey.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="http://www.downtonabbey.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/horse.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Lady Mary Crawley, first born daughter and savior or ruination of the family - which will it be?</div><br /><a href="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/walking-the-estate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/walking-the-estate.jpg" /></a><br />Robert, Earl of Grantham (l) and cousin Matthew Crawley (r), the unwilling distant relative set to inherit all. Will he and Mary find true love, or their senses?<br /><br /><a href="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/tea-al-fresco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/tea-al-fresco.jpg" /></a><br />Violet, the Dowager Countess of Grantham (seated left), played by the inestimable Dame Maggie Smith,  and (r) Cora, the Countess of Grantham (seated right, played by Elizabeth McGovern), the American born heiress wife whose riches saved the estate, but have been entailed away to a male relative <span style="font-size: x-large;"><br style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;" /></span><br /><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Grand Interior Hall </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/hall-of-downton-abbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/hall-of-downton-abbey.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXp9hAbEAEg4rKrMPdQHtXxmuUZTRfZsj6XaMHGWFYPXcU593Kkrt5J5fcDuQ4wc4oJo6gqAoVcAjSmJygAIF1H3TUigjaT4yjcalCP14Tj4SmIDPAci8BMUl4LRn5vtta6hY_-Qe9Nk/s1600/Interiors_1296430526674.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiXp9hAbEAEg4rKrMPdQHtXxmuUZTRfZsj6XaMHGWFYPXcU593Kkrt5J5fcDuQ4wc4oJo6gqAoVcAjSmJygAIF1H3TUigjaT4yjcalCP14Tj4SmIDPAci8BMUl4LRn5vtta6hY_-Qe9Nk/s1600/Interiors_1296430526674.png" /></a><br /><br />The image above and below are from Highclere Castle's website.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsihsZY-O8M0sKA5oXi_gF9V8OtYAA9n8fQ4zWQLY-D2mBZDi9yyRh4Nr9YUgSuS6EGjKR60Fpp4yQaL3vqNDYB1YiE4Vbvr1DQiIYM_ULQdEd7PLs6wB1wDNCfykWf_ywodRpRMS9dC8/s1600/Interiors_1296430559401.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsihsZY-O8M0sKA5oXi_gF9V8OtYAA9n8fQ4zWQLY-D2mBZDi9yyRh4Nr9YUgSuS6EGjKR60Fpp4yQaL3vqNDYB1YiE4Vbvr1DQiIYM_ULQdEd7PLs6wB1wDNCfykWf_ywodRpRMS9dC8/s1600/Interiors_1296430559401.png" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScaGH1TWrURSq2iOluuaDgj-sJ0k1kemRQHYwHY5sfTcd0y1-WO35BDKv1HNsqL97N-EwrHnAv1V9HjeMaPK__piaGoQ2u5yOTl7XGua49GGo8pe4Ge0SbIl6iyXH2ILDZk6VZpvw-Tc/s1600/Interiors_1296431068210.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScaGH1TWrURSq2iOluuaDgj-sJ0k1kemRQHYwHY5sfTcd0y1-WO35BDKv1HNsqL97N-EwrHnAv1V9HjeMaPK__piaGoQ2u5yOTl7XGua49GGo8pe4Ge0SbIl6iyXH2ILDZk6VZpvw-Tc/s1600/Interiors_1296431068210.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZRwbJzT-RE9PWjHAWukO511LBxy1_EY6eH19h5wI4CGmUmTAPrSYhmuM5Syid5FMwkaJVU4zM1gdxTSO0qH6SYbJIptxUsg0yGY6PMEcqy24c8StJ34zapAlMcgsGB3-EK0kwrVldT4/s1600/Interiors_1296430625087.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZRwbJzT-RE9PWjHAWukO511LBxy1_EY6eH19h5wI4CGmUmTAPrSYhmuM5Syid5FMwkaJVU4zM1gdxTSO0qH6SYbJIptxUsg0yGY6PMEcqy24c8StJ34zapAlMcgsGB3-EK0kwrVldT4/s1600/Interiors_1296430625087.png" /></a><br /><br />The grand staircase. You can see the main floor set up for a concert. From Highclere Castle website. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG1vHtbnK_1oYje9KYZuXmnDsP_teIgpBMy87ZulltLhsMmzWV05PquThsdVShUNjZcusRHT4K5F5QOKIflG528bscHEPXHt1lQqh_9mEbn1Swe8i0F77MEwFU66CrwjjpIs8X-ouNYs/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEG1vHtbnK_1oYje9KYZuXmnDsP_teIgpBMy87ZulltLhsMmzWV05PquThsdVShUNjZcusRHT4K5F5QOKIflG528bscHEPXHt1lQqh_9mEbn1Swe8i0F77MEwFU66CrwjjpIs8X-ouNYs/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B24.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The ladies: Mrs. Crawley (Penelope Wilton), Cora, Countess of Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern) and Violet, the Dowage Countess of Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith). A meeting of some very strong feminine minds in the "observatory" which is set in the main hall. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Library</b></span></div></div><br /><a href="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/library-study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/library-study.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The Library is set with many items from the actual castle, including the carpet and some furnishings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mYlTVP1Do56uBbf3JJ_SjAKOwvAWeIjCQ49_by9DDuqWGUGfcaFIEQbZIcxXH5Tmum7UlDSp23ZIqxaeVKfbCYCOS2XBEUlATxqPkUoOwew_9bT8XzGDk71_xeBhAGOODHecsjRYIWM/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mYlTVP1Do56uBbf3JJ_SjAKOwvAWeIjCQ49_by9DDuqWGUGfcaFIEQbZIcxXH5Tmum7UlDSp23ZIqxaeVKfbCYCOS2XBEUlATxqPkUoOwew_9bT8XzGDk71_xeBhAGOODHecsjRYIWM/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B11.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/rpowell/pic/001aagae/s640x480" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://pics.livejournal.com/rpowell/pic/001aagae/s640x480" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26PO0_7azmpN7sec05KWYbLB6a5UXyRsy4un3tlGtfovT3ZvkVVRMYvixDm2KMeXMFgAf5_ETwl2YBlEBc_cFqc0C212waZMasJb1tl9jdu-p4yRuMHaj0cUa7hbRbfS7-KfptnwoIxA/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26PO0_7azmpN7sec05KWYbLB6a5UXyRsy4un3tlGtfovT3ZvkVVRMYvixDm2KMeXMFgAf5_ETwl2YBlEBc_cFqc0C212waZMasJb1tl9jdu-p4yRuMHaj0cUa7hbRbfS7-KfptnwoIxA/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B29.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KsIslQqsEHXjKuSk-Sv8L12XG9qM1TNtQxzoFlO-xES6VwfE4MWRYdyk7Ae49rRjuGyA1yEuOzjzPbpgUZhR-zQY1LcuvjaTphxVflIkCL9mxT1grc7KDPjXYI3lSYT6_fDizZNUNYY/s1600/Interiors_1296430708011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KsIslQqsEHXjKuSk-Sv8L12XG9qM1TNtQxzoFlO-xES6VwfE4MWRYdyk7Ae49rRjuGyA1yEuOzjzPbpgUZhR-zQY1LcuvjaTphxVflIkCL9mxT1grc7KDPjXYI3lSYT6_fDizZNUNYY/s1600/Interiors_1296430708011.png" /></a><br /><br />From Highclere Castle's website. The library is often used for wedding dinners. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrYIqkAFRyv_Mwi2CpPQyaYaexqAeotomWfn-kMv15K5Y7x-FjI-uIl7yKTunfHRYsA8RMNDfHAMpjl_QdJwicWpRZhvB0DutfZa8DX2q_2CRAROWCOkwHeXue9b5b0EocIiBUN5mAd8/s1600/Interiors_1296430726912.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrYIqkAFRyv_Mwi2CpPQyaYaexqAeotomWfn-kMv15K5Y7x-FjI-uIl7yKTunfHRYsA8RMNDfHAMpjl_QdJwicWpRZhvB0DutfZa8DX2q_2CRAROWCOkwHeXue9b5b0EocIiBUN5mAd8/s1600/Interiors_1296430726912.png" /></a><br /><br /><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Drawing Room</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/drawing-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://janeaustensworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/drawing-room.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The drawing room is a sumptuous collection of pastel fabrics and textiles, gilded French Louis bergere chairs, English and Italian casegoods. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Cmbp3iCrbjhOUuzQ3qLjYivkqX_OqNV0jGFmnFyckYAo0xN-ZGjJjC1iehb0bfGywT3kEP2AgMqASPEkSMBVvpTff3kwwZoVusgpfrz5d8mLmTs0zpHI9Ja8snBjpbjJtsjpPs5vMAg/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Cmbp3iCrbjhOUuzQ3qLjYivkqX_OqNV0jGFmnFyckYAo0xN-ZGjJjC1iehb0bfGywT3kEP2AgMqASPEkSMBVvpTff3kwwZoVusgpfrz5d8mLmTs0zpHI9Ja8snBjpbjJtsjpPs5vMAg/s640/Downton%252BAbbey%252B3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />A view of the gorgeous Aubusson carpet. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VKUNSaqTn6lFW4rrmqM8nJmk-Era63zV_dCXMplE9qxMPoGJ7cbXM2x1-0mQhW28QeXC1ZHD9KJVMn7sA_sn_BJ5AvWo5ebIcOPC25Sp_TmBtaKFmkZfN1lhoBpvrKGSAXiFImYvA6M/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VKUNSaqTn6lFW4rrmqM8nJmk-Era63zV_dCXMplE9qxMPoGJ7cbXM2x1-0mQhW28QeXC1ZHD9KJVMn7sA_sn_BJ5AvWo5ebIcOPC25Sp_TmBtaKFmkZfN1lhoBpvrKGSAXiFImYvA6M/s640/Downton%252BAbbey%252B17.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/17/article-0-0BEA1FD3000005DC-658_634x424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/12/17/article-0-0BEA1FD3000005DC-658_634x424.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU_oetnwXjcOy4lLnpQ4YWAnhGQ1h752mO45EDGMK31NFwQGpH6xeVJaI-Og3IErozSrTyoJQCwy4shGZ8L1kQoOw6zos31nY1EepiqwZPCpkpoZ9oVliG3OVkREYsBQ9xdje7VhoRII/s1600/Downton%252BAbbey%252B19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIU_oetnwXjcOy4lLnpQ4YWAnhGQ1h752mO45EDGMK31NFwQGpH6xeVJaI-Og3IErozSrTyoJQCwy4shGZ8L1kQoOw6zos31nY1EepiqwZPCpkpoZ9oVliG3OVkREYsBQ9xdje7VhoRII/s640/Downton%252BAbbey%252B19.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The images below are as the room appears today. Note that much of the furniture is the same, but the carpets are different. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea7xrnkf_9kbcy5ZqxDNM96qGvSbI-nNo7F-2Q6yMxDipYdWyVTq2TL31dySX7ywOvhcEUBtYvwZ8d8ZqDKHYrbIKZaanoRtLEPVntQz_5WCtMdf6klAvEL7aCxK4Pltc-cmnRqlx2S4/s1600/Interiors_1296430766583.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea7xrnkf_9kbcy5ZqxDNM96qGvSbI-nNo7F-2Q6yMxDipYdWyVTq2TL31dySX7ywOvhcEUBtYvwZ8d8ZqDKHYrbIKZaanoRtLEPVntQz_5WCtMdf6klAvEL7aCxK4Pltc-cmnRqlx2S4/s1600/Interiors_1296430766583.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvuyCy8-BlUOThdsWJnT3XRtGNQ_eF6bo9dUt6UpFaGXDJC5HHAvIKL0EukQ86E-ZdaxPs79Um-A89zlFN3xQ9lrKyT1SJqTWwrS54OZYTOMWo80p-zpXf-FEMPILfwm7g00MGGAEMZY/s1600/Interiors_1296430782478.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvuyCy8-BlUOThdsWJnT3XRtGNQ_eF6bo9dUt6UpFaGXDJC5HHAvIKL0EukQ86E-ZdaxPs79Um-A89zlFN3xQ9lrKyT1SJqTWwrS54OZYTOMWo80p-zpXf-FEMPILfwm7g00MGGAEMZY/s1600/Interiors_1296430782478.png" /></a><br /><br /><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Dining Room</b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ser2UiiBXkWnjbreLUvVaoKVonMFja1i8mAZSeXPz-LrXuq1ppjGRY3Ff9W9w-CGFDitsFJWPHaxrX3dpY2du2vrNn00qEsTPmobtWhhLoXOjXphyYKznTcpNBv4Bk3T9SJTrkz6IIMO/s1600/downtonabbey5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ser2UiiBXkWnjbreLUvVaoKVonMFja1i8mAZSeXPz-LrXuq1ppjGRY3Ff9W9w-CGFDitsFJWPHaxrX3dpY2du2vrNn00qEsTPmobtWhhLoXOjXphyYKznTcpNBv4Bk3T9SJTrkz6IIMO/s640/downtonabbey5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/covtelegraph/sep2011/0/9/downton-abbey-246658090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/covtelegraph/sep2011/0/9/downton-abbey-246658090.jpg" /></a></div><br />The dining room (from Highclere Castle's website) as it is today (below). It features an enormous Van Dyke painting. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFfyaAQAVBaGsXTE-nH5_BfKC6ZDgCeIgXm9g_tSvLgishjD-krCC5wJlsURH-fofHMczAERCWU9VFAmnFvy7vz7WX6iNbWNa98Tk_X2yX2-AygnfR-fw3bWhKOCSWgsqdmOIg6rgAyo/s1600/Interiors_1296431274640.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFfyaAQAVBaGsXTE-nH5_BfKC6ZDgCeIgXm9g_tSvLgishjD-krCC5wJlsURH-fofHMczAERCWU9VFAmnFvy7vz7WX6iNbWNa98Tk_X2yX2-AygnfR-fw3bWhKOCSWgsqdmOIg6rgAyo/s1600/Interiors_1296431274640.png" /> </a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g319Em2hgwRakuXap3aaw5_fvzL8BAorXgFYlwNdHR1immlin4_auD57bO06JzGR6iPgwc9ccBauRe2Ww5UUdxSz0KAmHI6CcSCp5EHLcQ9IXhx4iXKvhWIZ2xnxejzRd_iDlnbI_A4/s1600/Interiors_1296431106374.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g319Em2hgwRakuXap3aaw5_fvzL8BAorXgFYlwNdHR1immlin4_auD57bO06JzGR6iPgwc9ccBauRe2Ww5UUdxSz0KAmHI6CcSCp5EHLcQ9IXhx4iXKvhWIZ2xnxejzRd_iDlnbI_A4/s1600/Interiors_1296431106374.png" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Matthew and Mrs. Crawley's London house</b></span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxMynDh0YIHrO4i-IGMZh82z7xVFwwJoXSp3zG_wCE9fzFnYvwwo8bVL3rs-gsnOkbZpOVI1qbUoZH8PskXcOJ_qRYjzvm3W4WvGsUJS5orY8cQy0oWwUvsdD_eIDlLkiJssHWecD6yI/s1600/Crawley+Manchester+ext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxMynDh0YIHrO4i-IGMZh82z7xVFwwJoXSp3zG_wCE9fzFnYvwwo8bVL3rs-gsnOkbZpOVI1qbUoZH8PskXcOJ_qRYjzvm3W4WvGsUJS5orY8cQy0oWwUvsdD_eIDlLkiJssHWecD6yI/s640/Crawley+Manchester+ext.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />In the series, distant cousin Mathew Crawley, a solicitor,  (shown here with his widowed mother) becomes the heir apparent of all of Downton Abbey when the closer cousins go down on the Titanic. The Crawley's are a middle class family living in a Townhouse in Manchester. (middle class by Edwardian standards included household help). <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYuIN_J-xWlOcT-yMo4Szk6hlkRGZSFMqS-PXR1rd78bXO14kyo5qCVcoY7VZ7NG7dZVwcalYCIzIitxy8TyeXKmOTI_LA8bU38jnDw_E3bKICRRXccmXo9hPGl8sd2_pPrbxZQxofBw/s1600/Crawley+DR1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYuIN_J-xWlOcT-yMo4Szk6hlkRGZSFMqS-PXR1rd78bXO14kyo5qCVcoY7VZ7NG7dZVwcalYCIzIitxy8TyeXKmOTI_LA8bU38jnDw_E3bKICRRXccmXo9hPGl8sd2_pPrbxZQxofBw/s640/Crawley+DR1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />The wallpaper in this dining room is a beautiful William Morris paper, perfect for an early 20th century home. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQa2iXL-N7MpKCxdD274Y_fGh0hx2XEdHMfgQ37IarcRE8UjJAhyphenhyphen8CpwLXExX_QPkDvMkFc03pLUjxcDzLisLn7w5GsSUVYqGK5-PWgBH_qqIxwldebwgXPZzUsTfrPR_egUvgK9rHIpS/s1600/dw8.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQa2iXL-N7MpKCxdD274Y_fGh0hx2XEdHMfgQ37IarcRE8UjJAhyphenhyphen8CpwLXExX_QPkDvMkFc03pLUjxcDzLisLn7w5GsSUVYqGK5-PWgBH_qqIxwldebwgXPZzUsTfrPR_egUvgK9rHIpS/s1600/dw8.PNG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Highclere Castle</b></span></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SDJ_lz_SMhupfE_sK4HSnY1xfLmc0aHg9hh2BtXEk7d0xcWKE2Zvnqrp0vT8sQhfIVhLLPYkARWMJLXNHG4gbuXq0oCnDTvv8l12ayNW7Jp7LBJ-0NFWwizvLo4JBov-0RghG5euoaU/s1600/LordLadyCFrontispiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SDJ_lz_SMhupfE_sK4HSnY1xfLmc0aHg9hh2BtXEk7d0xcWKE2Zvnqrp0vT8sQhfIVhLLPYkARWMJLXNHG4gbuXq0oCnDTvv8l12ayNW7Jp7LBJ-0NFWwizvLo4JBov-0RghG5euoaU/s1600/LordLadyCFrontispiece.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The<a href="http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Highclere Castle</a>, located in Newbury England, has been home to the Carnarvon family since the 17th century. The current castle which was used for Downton Abbey, was designed by Sir Charles Barry in 1842. Barry also designed the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The Castle is classic Gothic Revival which had its zenith in popularity in the mid-19th century. <br /><br />Beautiful shots of a wedding that took place at the Castle: copyright <a href="http://studiorouge.typepad.com/blog/2010/01/wedding-photography-at-highclere-castle-daniel-danielle-28th-november-2009.html">Studio Rouge</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://studiorouge.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351755a853ef012876eebc5e970c-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://studiorouge.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351755a853ef012876eebc5e970c-800wi" /> </a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://studiorouge.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351755a853ef012876eebdba970c-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://studiorouge.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351755a853ef012876eebdba970c-800wi" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://studiorouge.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351755a853ef0120a7ebc038970b-800wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://studiorouge.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351755a853ef0120a7ebc038970b-800wi" /></a><br /><br />Last year, I did a fun post about "getting the look" of the Downton Drawing room, <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2011/02/downton-abbey-drawing-room-get-that.html" target="_blank">which you can see here</a>. <br /><br />Here are links to some amazing posts around the web on the fashions, decor and servants quarters of Downton Abbey:<br /><br /> - <a href="http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/the-servants-quarters-in-19th-century-country-houses-like-downton-abbey/">The Servant's Quarters</a> via Jane Austen's World<br /> - <a href="http://tomandlorenzo2.blogspot.com/2011/01/downton-abbey.html">The Costume's of Downton Abbey</a> via Tom & Lorenzo<br /> - <a href="http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/category/television/downton-abbey" target="_blank">Detailed recaps</a> via Tom & Lorenzo<br /><br /><br /> - <a href="http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank">Highclere Castle official website</a><br /> - <a href="http://studiorouge.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8351755a853ef012876eebc5e970c-pi">A wedding takes place at the Castle - via Studio Rouge</a><br /><br /> - <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/season2.html" target="_blank">PBS/WGBH Masterpiece Classic</a> Website<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZm8RoHULif2-badohLPlbcXgoSINqmaEHJMZqB5tQjZGyOpyF6C3X5HOiHKZgVtYZL-Xqr7TT04_PgexJKRSJW8mScfYD8crCPD1p_RPjAc4QtU7yotsvOmVIpRGXcAVotkoC0QqxmFVr/s1600/downton-abbey-press-release-still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZm8RoHULif2-badohLPlbcXgoSINqmaEHJMZqB5tQjZGyOpyF6C3X5HOiHKZgVtYZL-Xqr7TT04_PgexJKRSJW8mScfYD8crCPD1p_RPjAc4QtU7yotsvOmVIpRGXcAVotkoC0QqxmFVr/s640/downton-abbey-press-release-still.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Will you be watching with me?</span></b></i></div><br />Images courtesy of: Masterpiece/WGBH/PBS; <a href="http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/">Jane Austen's World</a>; <a href="http://tomandlorenzo2.blogspot.com/2011/01/downton-abbey.html">Project Rungay</a>; <a href="http://marie-theshiningstars.blogspot.com/">Shining as Stars</a>; <a href="http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/">Highclere Castle</a>;

Downton Redux: Decorative Recap of Season 1

Series Production Designer: Donal Woods Series Set Decorator: Gina Cromwell Tonight starts the beginning on the long awaited return to Downt...

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Home organization: Mudrooms

January is home organizing month and certainly many of us include getting organized in our New Year's resolutions. Well, I didn't, exactly, but I did write an article for Networx.com on the subject, which is linked below. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.networx.com/article/creating-a-mudroom-without-remodeling" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArOiGL8xqY4/TwZqw_WyOeI/AAAAAAAAJU0/K2uTLNYD7VI/s640/mudrooms.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.networx.com/article/creating-a-mudroom-without-remodeling" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="51" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bVhgxjhRha8/TwZq6qAUh3I/AAAAAAAAJVA/T2GTR3d5Pvc/s320/read+on+networx.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I </span></span></b>do love a pretty mudroom - so practical with so many decorative possibilities, even in the tiniest of spaces. I just saw this very pretty and useful looking Hall Tree that is new at <a href="http://www.wisteria.com/Open-Frame-Hall-Tree-Bench/productinfo/W7080/" target="_blank">Wisteria</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wisteria.com/images/w7080r1-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.wisteria.com/images/w7080r1-large.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a mudroom image than I pinned on <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/14214555043377560/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> quite a while ago that was the inspiration for the mudroom space I recommended to the clients referenced in the article above.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043377560_KKM9I4Jn_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043377560_KKM9I4Jn_c.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I did love the mudroom designed by Linda Woodrum for HGTV's 2010 Green Home in Plymouth, MA. A combination laundry room/mudroom, the small space packed a big punch. It was located just inside the garage door entrance to the home, which made it perfect for mudroom use. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photos by me. )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4714502281_367c1a713b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4714502281_367c1a713b_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4715143676_3a96178d81_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4715143676_3a96178d81_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's amazing how the simplest of spaces can have such impact. This mudroom space by <a href="http://milesredd.com/portfolio.php" target="_blank">Miles Redd</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://milesredd.com/portfolio/2-Graev-xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://milesredd.com/portfolio/2-Graev-xl.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And whose rainy day wouldn't be brightened by this lovely little space? BHG via <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/10/mudroom-on-my-mind/" target="_blank">Centsational Girl</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://c497280.r80.cf2.rackcdn.com/2011/10/bhg-mudroom-1_thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://c497280.r80.cf2.rackcdn.com/2011/10/bhg-mudroom-1_thumb.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">S</span></b></span>o, did you make any resolutions to be more organized in your life? I started by saying that I didn't make a resolution to be more organized at my home, but I am working to get more organized in my business processes. I'm currently trying to get my contacts databases all in one place and will be outsourcing that job (once I'm, err, more organized..) and I am testing Design Manager software to see if it's worth the work to have it replace my current Quick Books. If you're a designer or architect - what do you use to keep your books and client project details organized?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks! <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Home organization: Mudrooms

January is home organizing month and certainly many of us include getting organized in our New Year's resolutions. Well, I didn't, e...

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Sparkling Wine and Dog Chairs - what could be better

I hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</b></span> discovered a new (to me) French sparkling wine that I highly recommend:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJBfAzmizmM/TwJ89BCxFhI/AAAAAAAAJUE/tm8qbjVGl_A/s1600/Denois.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJBfAzmizmM/TwJ89BCxFhI/AAAAAAAAJUE/tm8qbjVGl_A/s640/Denois.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>This is a very light, fruity yet dry sparkling wine from the Languedoc Roussillon region of France. For under $20, it's a total keeper.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxf8Ha27WcA/TwJ-9y47cfI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/imYX5o0zJss/s1600/Birding+Life+cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rxf8Ha27WcA/TwJ-9y47cfI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/imYX5o0zJss/s400/Birding+Life+cover.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>B</b></span>efore the holiday madness set in, my <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Skirted Roundtable</a> partners and I chatted with author Carol Sheehan whose new book is <i>The Birding Life,</i> published by Clarkson Potter. If you're a birder, or you know someone who is, this is the book you've been looking for as it's filled with beautiful images of birds in interiors and in nature. <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2012/01/chatting-with-author-carol-sheehan.html" target="_blank">Click here to listen</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">H</b></span>ave a dog you love to spoil?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.networx.com/article/designer-picks-dog-chairs" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="473" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DQ9qaYCOQmg/TwKADZY4KeI/AAAAAAAAJUc/l_NcjUu4TWI/s640/dog+chairs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.networx.com/article/designer-picks-dog-chairs" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="51" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tL-XzVUe92I/TwKAOV5T3sI/AAAAAAAAJUo/3Xw9ikroamg/s320/read+on+networx.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danishteakclassics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pug-on-mini-eames-chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://www.danishteakclassics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pug-on-mini-eames-chair.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">While writing the dog chairs article, I was reminded of this cuteness.  Photo by <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/philrowe/works/301973-top-dog" target="_blank">Philip Rowe</a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">F</b></span>inally, I'd like to send out a huge shout out to my designer friends and fellow bloggers <a href="http://blog.wilsonkelseydesign.com/" target="_blank">John Kelsey and Sally Wilson</a>. Their blog, which is filled with a mix of design and architecture related items, sneak peaks into their own beautiful work and some fun random things (like Sally's amazing hat collection and John's love of cars), has been gaining much momentum recently. They were awarded a Blog on Fire award.<a href="http://blog.wilsonkelseydesign.com/" target="_blank"> Click here to check them</a> out and find out for yourself why they are, indeed, a blog on fire. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.wilsonkelseydesign.com/wp-content/themes/wkd/images/john-sally.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blog.wilsonkelseydesign.com/wp-content/themes/wkd/images/john-sally.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sally Wilson & John Kelsey</span></div><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks! <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Sparkling Wine and Dog Chairs - what could be better

I hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend! I discovered a new (to me) French sparkling wine that I highly recommend: This is a very light...

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