Monday, November 2, 2009

'Knole'

'Knole', originally the Herman Duryea estate designed by Carrere & Hastings c. 1903 in Old Westbury. Click HERE for more on 'Knole'.




Photos from American Estates and Gardens. Click below to see 'Knole' intact in a 1966 aerial shot.

8 comments:

An Aesthete's Lament said...

The main façade is very clunky and graceless. The pool court, however, I like very much; it has drama.

Zach L. said...

Thomas Hastings was quoted as saying he had wished he had built Knole for himself. Though he settled for Bagatelle around the corner.

Anonymous said...

I quite agree with dear Aesthete's Lament. I find the end result of the facade almost institutional, rather like a sanitorium, though the pool court has some charm. With so many other, far more beautiful houses on your blog however, this one, if torn down, is little loss in my opinion. Keep showing us the many lovely things that you do, and thank you Zach!
- Robert

J Tackett said...

I am a recent addition to your many followers, and could not wait any longer to tell you how much I enjoy your blog after reading today's post on Knole. __ John Tackett, Olive Branch, Mississippi

Anonymous said...

Visualize - "The road rises and winds through the woods, the house then appears suddenly at the top of the hill."{SPLIA} What might be perceived as "clunky and graceless" is meant to be "austere and massive"{SPLIA}. Intentionally setting the stage for the interior, which has been described as "A brilliant conception carried out in a brilliant way"{SPLIA}. The interior with its central rotunda is beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I usually would not comment regarding opinion, however...Since I have no doubt that most people attracted to this website appreciate great estates, I have to say that the picture does not do the house justice. In person it is austere but in a magnificent way. The overall house is one of the best.

J

Anonymous said...

I have wandered these grounds (uninvited of course) several times, and have to agree that this house is quite an impressive sight when meandering up the road to look at it. It is massive, and while a bit boring from the front, a quick stroll around the side or a peek at the interior would quickly change many opinions. Once gone this house will surely be missed.

Anonymous said...

I am a descendant of Bradley Martin himself, though I have not had the pleasure of drifting my way down to 'Knole', I would like so much to go there someday. After doing a bit of research on my family's past I came across this, it would be an honor if I could travel to a place i once called my own. As for the house I believe it to be even more beautiful in person as it is in the photos. It is a shame we did not keep it in the family for the generations to come to enjoy.

H. B. Martin