Our first stop is Sweden for a trip to a typical Gustavian manor house that was built for 18th century Swedish nobility. The house typifies the grace of the period, with its pared-down furniture, neo-classical motifs and soft, pale colors.

Then, we're off to the French Riviera for a tour of a house from Europe's opulent Belle Epoque. The Villa Ephrussi was owned by the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild (of banking and winery fame), an avid arts and antiques collector. The home, with its vast collection of collectibles from the period, gives visitors a glimpse of that glamorous age.

Next, we travel to Australia to visit a bungalow from the continent's early colonial days. The bungalow, which serves as the first evidence of an Australian vernacular style, displays wonderful examples of wide verandahs and corrugated rooftops—elements that are common in today's Australian architecture.

Finally, we'll tour a Jamaican house that was built during the 18th century—a period known as the "Reign of King Sugar" on the Caribbean island. Rose Hall plantation house typifies the wealth that was amassed from the sugar trade during that period. In fact, at the time it was built, it was considered the finest house on the entire island. Explore this home and its highlights, including mahogany floors, walls and moldings.

Gustavian Manor Facts:

• Skogaholm Manor was moved to Skansen—180 miles from its original location. Skansen is an outdoor museum dedicated to preserving Swedish history.

• The chandelier in the house was imported from Czechoslovakia, which was famous for its crystal.

• During parties, the nobility would place pine boughs on the wooden floors so that when guests arrived and walked on the branches, a marvelous aroma would be released.

Contact Information:

Elizabeth Dinkle, Interior Decorator
Leta Austin Foster & Associates
8544 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90069
310-278-3700

Marita Wikander, Curator
Skogaholm Manor, Skansen Museum
PO Box 277807 11s 93
Stockholm, SWEDEN
011-46-8-442-8146
info@skansen.se
www.skansen.se

Villa Ephrussi Facts:

• The design of the Villa Ephrussi was based on the palazzos of the Grand Canal in Venice

• Baroness Ephrussi had the villa painted in her favorite color: pink.

• It's rumored that the baroness wanted to create an atmosphere in her own spectacular garden that would rival Versailles.

• Wild monkeys, gazelles and antelope roamed the grounds freely.

• The years between 1871-1914 were known as the "Belle Époque," which means "Beautiful Age" in French.

Contact Information:

Alexis Vrousus, Museum Director
Villa Ephrussi
Villla Ephrussi de Rothschild
06230 Saint-Jean -Cap-Ferrat, FRANCE
011-33-4-93-01-45-00 / 011-33-4-93-01-31-10
message@villa-ephrussi.com
www.villa-ephrussi.com

Australian Bungalow Facts:

• The Australian bungalow is considered Australia's first vernacular style.

• In England, corrugated metal was used only for cow sheds.

• Australia and India were members of the British Commonwealth at the same time.

• Grass mats that were imported to Australia from India were called Calcutta mats.

Contact Information:

James Broadbent, PhD, Museum Director
Elizabeth Farm
The Mint #10 MacQuarie
Sydney, NSW 2000 AUSTRALIA
011-61-02-9232-3488

Rose Hall Facts:

• Rose Hall estate originally rested on 290 acres of sugarcane land.

• Annee Palmer, the notorious former owner of Rose Hall who was referred to as the "White Witch," allegedly murdered three of her husbands before being killed herself by her servant-lover.

Contact Information:

Vinette Atkins, docent
Rose Hall Plantation
Rose Hall Highway
Rose Hall, Jamaica
876-953-2323

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