If “Haute Fun” or “Haute Adventure” are acceptable terms, that’s what it was. See if you agree with some of my choices:

Upholstered silk walls in the entry inspired by the lobby of The Ritz.
A double staircase just like Scarlett O’Hara’s—before the Civil War.
Three rose gardens, one planned just for cutting.

Therefore, a professional-grade flower cutting station, complete with a humidity-controlled refrigerator, hard water sink, and a mirror-backed workspace so arrangements can be seen from all angles at all times.

A special silver room, where the walls are lined with pacific paper, containing particles of silver, and we had a special ventilation system engineered to protect the silver.

There’s my doll museum for the hundreds of dolls I designed and collected, and the figures I gave my husband over the years. One friend referred to it as a “collector’s gallery.” I guess she doesn’t like dolls. It’s another temperature-controlled room for my very special collections, and it’s guaranteed to bring smiles to the faces of everyone who enters.

I think about Paris in winter whenever I cruise the long driveway of my French chateau. I first saw what would become my antique lampposts in the middle of a snowy Paris winter, where the lights lining the Champs Elysee seemed magical. I knew they would be perfect for my house. (By then, I also knew that electrical wiring was different in every country and I was curious to see just how they were lit. I climbed halfway up the lamppost to try and get a good look, so I’d be able to tell the electricians when the lampposts arrived. I still thank my lucky stars there were no paparazzi that night in Paris. I would have hated to see the caption on that photo.)

I have mixed feelings when people describe my home as a “museum” or a “showplace.” My idea was to have a home my family would love. Now, 18 years later, I’m still in love with The Manor, and still pleased with choosing Italian limestone, antique marble fireplaces, Dutch cabinets, and more. So much time and thought went into every texture, shape, color, surface, tree, and even appliances, and it shows.