Estate Sales and Dreamy Mansions

We arrived in the Capital Hill neighborhood for an estate sale but were too early

so we decided to take a walk while we waited for the sale to start. 

And that turned out to be the best part of this outing!

The house where the sale was held was gorgeous itself 

and the street was lined with lovely old homes.
I could spend all day admiring these beauties. 

But as we turned the corner, I gasped.

I recognized it immediately. The famous Castle Marne Bed and Breakfast.

I'd read about it before and had always wanted to see it but wasn't quite sure where it was.

What a wonderful surprise that it was just around the corner from the estate sale.

A massive gray stone mansion built in 1889, Castle Marne claims the entire corner of this block
and is the essence of turn-of-the-century Romanesque elegance. 

It even has the original horse hitching post . . .

and a rare carriage mounting stone
(the raised stone platform where passengers would step out of their carriage.)
Just be careful opening your car door!

When I pressed the intercom on the front porch to ask for permission to photograph the garden,
the owner, Louis, graciously invited us inside and then went out of his way to give us
a fantastic tour brimming with historical facts and details about the structure.

We learned how they made the rare wallpaper and that this registered castle's name
was inspired by the River Marne in France because it resembled some of the castles there.

Everywhere we looked inside was beautiful woodwork and lovely furnishings.
Just look at this elaborate six-foot stained-glass window in the staircase
that echoes a peacock with his feathers extended.

Not only is the castle amazing, but a charming patio and garden
are secluded on the side of the house.

I had to sneak a peek.

A fountain played in the courtyard and
a climbing rose completely covered a metal arch at the garden entrance.
Romantic Victorian elegance. So very pretty.

If you're looking for a wonderful B&B in Denver, check out the Castle Marne website at
www.castlemarne.com. 

We still had some time to kill so we walked around the block before heading back to the sale.

I'm so glad we did!

There is a well-known writers' workshop here called The Lighthouse 

that I'd heard about but, again, wasn't sure of its location.

As we walked down the tree-lined street, 

I spotted a small sign on another gorgeous Denver Square that read "The Lighthouse."

Oh my gosh! Two places I'd always dreamed about and there they were on the same block.

Sigh. But enough old house lusting. Time to head back to the sale. 

Sometimes I don't buy anything at these sales 

but still enjoy seeing the insides of these old mansions.

I noticed this house had some good old bones
but it had been "renovated" and had lost some of its glory. 

Still, the original tiled fireplaces were breathtaking as were the chandeliers.

I did find a couple of little treasures at the sale, however, 

including a monogrammed hand towel . . .

and some vintage books with lovely covers.

On the way home, we stopped at a couple of yard sales
and a few more goodies came home with me.
A silver water pitcher destined to hold fresh flowers,  a pretty silver bowl . . .

and three hand-painted bowls from Italy . . .
winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Total Expenditures:  $17.00.

Plus an incredible free home tour!!
My kind of perfect day.
And it just happened to be my birthday!

***

If you enjoyed your visit, I hope you'll follow me by email.
Just subscribe (it's FREE) in the upper right column of this page.
Thank you!

***

Linking with:
Designthusiasm, My Soulful Home, Redhead Can Decorate, Rustic & Refined, Dwellings,
Rose Chintz Cottage, Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cedar Hill Farmhouse,
A Stroll Thru Life, Savvy Southern Style, Knick of Time, A Delightsome Life,
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson, The Vintage Nest, Peonies and Orange Blossoms,
Poofing the Pillows, Adirondack Girl at Heart, Rooted in Thyme, Charm of Home, Shabby Art Boutique, French Country Cottage