Life Goal #56: Be a Princess
... or maybe, just see as much castles as I can.
Truth be told, I wasn't much of the 'princess' type --- have always abhorred the stereotype that princesses fell into: ladylike, submissive to their respective princes and expected to uphold the old, traditional traits of womanity also known as being conservative. If you know me in real life, you'd know wouldn't fall under any of the categories above ever.
Exactly why I was not one of the girls who wanted to be princesses when they grow up. However, all that changed when I stepped into a true to life castle.
Truth be told, I wasn't much of the 'princess' type --- have always abhorred the stereotype that princesses fell into: ladylike, submissive to their respective princes and expected to uphold the old, traditional traits of womanity also known as being conservative. If you know me in real life, you'd know wouldn't fall under any of the categories above ever.
Exactly why I was not one of the girls who wanted to be princesses when they grow up. However, all that changed when I stepped into a true to life castle.
Casa Loma (Spanish for Hill House) is a Gothic Revival style house in midtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that is now a museum and landmark. It was originally a residence for financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt. Casa Loma was constructed over a three-year period from 1911–1914. The architect of the mansion was E. J. Lennox, who was responsible for the designs of several other city landmarks.
- Wikipedia
Just outside the castle is a bounty of gardens with cherry and apple blossoms and a lot of tulips!
I couldn't get over the tulips!
Got in through Toronto City Pass, too.
And because the castle is too big to blog about, am going to share pictures of
my favorite rooms in the castle:
my favorite rooms in the castle:
The Oak Room | This is the room where the Pellat family entertains important guests
and conducts business and socio-civic matters. I breathed a deep breath as I entered this room
because of the Edwardian furniture. Everything had intricate carvings, amazing details and
lush textures.
and conducts business and socio-civic matters. I breathed a deep breath as I entered this room
because of the Edwardian furniture. Everything had intricate carvings, amazing details and
lush textures.
My absolute favorite of all though would have to be Lady Mary Pellat's suite:
In the early 1900s, it was tradition for husbands and wives of affluent families to keep individual suites.
Lady Pellat had hers {darn bigger than Sir Pellat's!} in powder blue and exquisite Victorian furniture,
with accents in pink. I had a mad craving for tea and crumpets at the sight of the suite.
Lady Pellat had hers {darn bigger than Sir Pellat's!} in powder blue and exquisite Victorian furniture,
with accents in pink. I had a mad craving for tea and crumpets at the sight of the suite.
This is actually part of her bathroom. Isn't this just lovely?
The Pellats' Guest Suite was done in hues of burnt orange with chinoiserie and intricate
Asian touches.
Asian touches.
Another room that took my breath away: The Windsor Room, so called because Sir Henry Pellat
built this room just in case the royal family came to visit, they'd be staying here.
built this room just in case the royal family came to visit, they'd be staying here.
Look at that headboard!
The Windsor Room parlor area. The intricate prints remind me of Cath Kidston ca. 1800s.
And just beside the Windsor Room is the Round Room, so called because the room,
including the door, was made to be round inside:
including the door, was made to be round inside:
Yet another room to drink tea in.
The Pellat Library can house 10,000 books but were self-confessed non-voracious readers.
And the outdoor patio. I just had to.
And everywhere in the castle, the flowers are in bloom:
Who wants to be a princess like me?
Casa Loma is located at:
1 Austin Terrace
Toronto, ON M5R 1X8
(416) 923-1171
Toronto, ON M5R 1X8
(416) 923-1171