Monday 9 April 2012

Holiday home - in need of some renovation

Mixed media sketch

I can't resist a lovely old villa bathed in sunlight.  This villa is closed up and falling apart, wouldn't it be wonderful to restore it back to its former glory?
These country villas were used as holiday homes by the aristocracy in the 17th century to get away from the summer heat in the city.  The area where I live was once one of the most popular areas to have  a 'holiday home' and the wealthy owners tried to outdo each other in elegance and the latest fashions.  This one has a typical double staircase on the front and inner courtyard but it's behind a big gate and I can't get a good view!

17 comments:

Vicki Holdwick said...

Lovely sketch - I'd love to see it in person.

xoxo

Lynn said...

That would be a wonderful project - one of my dreams is to restore an old house like this I guess I'll be content just to draw it instead. Lovely sketch!

bettyfromtexas said...

It is totally wonderful!! I love your sketch! I think you should give it some TLC!!!!

Alex said...

Looks great! I really like the rooftiles ^^

Melliott said...

Restore it, turn it into an art school, and invite us all to come line your pockets at art retreats! :-)

Cathy Holtom said...

Now that would be fantastic!

Anonymous said...

I like Melliott's idea. You have rendered it beautifully!

Elizabeth Rose Stanton said...

Looks like you got a good enough view to make this beautiful little painting. As for the restoration--it's always great to dream :)

Shirley said...

Gorgeous! House and your painting! Let us know if you buy and restore it.

Melliott said...

The heck with letting us know--invite us over! :-)

Unknown said...

I'm with Melliott. Wouldn't that be fantastic - The Cathy Holtom School Of Art. And in such a lovely place.
Of course, as usual, your painting is superb!
Stew.
stewcrowther.wordpress.com
_________________________

Cathy Holtom said...

Sadly it's far out of my pocket, let alone paying for it to be restored...but nice to dream like Elizabeth said!

Unknown said...

Ahhh....to dream.
Still, the teaching IS a possibility.
Stew.
stewcrowther.wordpress.com
_________________________

Unknown said...

How sad to see such a lovely old villa falling into disrepair with no one to care for it! What a waste! Is it for sale? Wonderful sketch...er, no, more like a painting!

jill said...

This is a lovely sketch and I hope all these comments are making you think of running an art class down your dusty lane and I think you already have a class set up with these comments, maybe we could help you raise the funds for this building

Timaree said...

It's a shame they let these fall apart. At least you have the opportunity to see the outside and use that for painting. I am afraid where I live there are no old homes and certainly nothing that was ever grand. Maybe some day the lock on the gate will break and you can draw the inside.

Unknown said...

Beautiful drawing & building.

As it's been since Sept my builder has been missing instead of doing the roof of my apartment, I certainly wouldn't take on a large project like this :)