My Home is My Castle

I truly believe that one's home - whether big or small, old or new, rented or owned, in the country or the city - should be a haven, a place of harmony and comfort where all that we love can be found.

The inspiration for this new series comes from one of my favourite books, Château Cuisine by Ann Willan. A sumptuous book, it was published almost 20 years ago, but to me it's simply timeless. It also combines some of my favourite subjects: interior design, architecture, history, French culture and food. These are not just any French recipes, but ancestral recipes still lovingly prepared and served in extraordinary households. Few residences such as these are still privately owned, but all featured in this book are. Château Cuisine offers a fascinating picture of life on the château estate - including the production of wine, cheese, olive oil and crafts, along with fund-raising ventures to help maintain the ancient fabric of each property.

These three graphite pencil drawings of castles were very labour intensive, making their prices too high for my Etsy shop, so I decided to offer them as limited edition prints. Professionally printed on 100lb acid free art stock, 8 1/2" x 11" standard size, makes them much more affordable.

The first of three, Château de la Verrerie is on the cover of the book. It's the oldest of the three, with construction that started in 1612. Most castles were built over centuries and ramble on over acres of land. Only a small portion of this castle was depicted, but I think it's the portion that most people associate with fairy-tale castles. Château de la Verrerie is tucked away in the Loire region surrounded by forests filled with wildlife.

Château du Marais

Built in 1778 by a wealthy government treasurer-general called Le Maistre. The second owner of the Château du Marais was Madame de la Briche. Known to organise lavish country festivals for the peasantry, her generosity was happily rewarded for the castle was left untouched during the revolution. Since Madame de La Briche, the castle has been owned and appreciated by women. Château du Marais is now under the care and preservation efforts of the Duchess of Sagan.

Château de Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard

Château de Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard is a handsome Louis XIII chateau that dominates the vallée de la Salmouille and owes its name to the magnificent views it offers. The Vicomtesse de Curel, an avid gardener, inherited the estate. Saint-Jean-de-Beauregard is especially known for its glorious vegetable and flower gardens.