When we were visiting Grand Cayman last week, Poor Kyle and I discovered the most amazing house we’d ever seen in real life (as in, not a fake house from a movie, of which we have seen many). {And actually, I shouldn’t call it a “house”—it was more of a mansion. Or an estate.} I still think about it today, and we’ve been off the island for almost a week.. Pictures of the place make my glands salivate, just like the way they juice up when I bust open a brand new jar of kosher dills. The house is beautiful, and someday it will be mine.
Our friends told us a little history about the sprawling home on the huge lot—they said it is owned by the Thompson family, who pretty much have a monopoly on home improvement stores in Grand Cayman. So maybe the Thompsons got materials for free and a smoking deal on labour, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is, hands down, the most stunning colonial/Gothic-looking home I have ever seen in real life.
I have decided that when, not “if,” I become a famous billionaire adventurer, I’m going to move to the island, buy it from the Thompsons, and live there the rest of my days. It’s going to be amazing.
Shall we take a look around?
First up, here’s the movie we took while driving by on our last day. It’s the best way for you to get the full effect of the place.
In this movie, I say, “I totally wanna meet the people who live there,” but what I meant was, “I totally wanna meet the people who live there and boot ’em out so I can have the place to myself.” Greedy much?
Passersby are first met with a wrought iron gate that encompasses the entire grounds. It’s an impressive sight, but what’s better is that the Thompson family crest is emblazoned in each segment of the fence, for all the world to see.
I can’t decide if we should leave the crest when we move in, or change it to our own “F.” There’s something so lovely about the symmetry in their “T.” I think we’ll probably leave it. Fs are too off-balance.
The house on a whole bears a striking resemblance to the Gothic Haunted Mansion at Disneyland. We put this photo in sepia tones just for a little creepyness.
Here’s a model of the real Haunted Mansion. Image from here.
Even their entry plaques look alike. And really, who doesn’t want to live in a Haunted Mansion? I know I do.
By the way, I am totally craving a trip to Disneyland now. You? Who’s up for a day trip?
Every detail of the estate is breathtaking. See the gazebo? Or is it a gable? Or a terrace? I need to brush up on my architecture, obviously.
It’s amazing, no matter what it’s called. It’s amazing and I want it.
I’ll take my tea on the terrace today, Geoffrey. Thank you, dahling…
Anybody who has read Anita Stansfield’s Gables Against the Sky series should agree that this house is exactly what I pictured the Davies home to look like. It’s everything I ever wanted in a grand estate. Look at those details!
Decorative wood trim adorns every straight edge and flat surface…
It’s the details that make it so stunning.
When all the fancy little details unite in one amazing feat of residential design, a life-changing home is born.
It’s all in the details… At least, that’s what they tell me on HGTV; I, personally, wouldn’t know.
But someday…
***Like I said, this is one of the most beautiful homes I’ve ever had the good fortune of seeing. But I have heard mixed opinions on it. Some people I talked to didn’t really find it all that special. What do you think? Am I losing my mind? Is this really as amazing as I’m making it out to be, or is it just “meh?” I need to know, and don’t just tell me what you think I want to hear—I need the truth. I probably won’t be mad if you disagree with me. Thanks.***
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