After our

they were willing to dream big, and I was excited to dream big on their behalf.

first couple of meetings, it became clear that

BIG
These homeowners dreamed of living in an old English manor, so designer Mark Cravotta made it happen
BY TORREY KIM

DREAM

MANY OF US DREAM ABOUT OUR IDEAL HOME,

with every detail based on our picture of ultimate comfort and style, but not everyone gets to eventually achieve that dream. However, one Austin, Texas-based couple dared to bring their fantasy to fruition, with an expansive and Victorian-touched manor that exceeded the expectations of everyone involved, right down to the last accessory. Although Malinard Manor looks like it was built centuries ago, its actually a recent construction that took six years to design, build, and complete, says designer Mark Cravotta of Austin-based Cravotta Interiors. The home was originally being built as a spec, and my clients purchased the home just after framing had been completed, Cravotta says. I had designed the architectural detailing of the home and they hired me to make some modifications prior to the homes completion.

No detail went untouched in Malinard Manor, as demonstrated by the custom ceiling work, hand-carved mantle, and ornate seating in the living room.

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An intricate and majestic bar sits on the homes upper level.

was a very involved process including trips to England, France and the Netherlands.

The search for furnishings

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Left: This bedrooms custom flooring is juxtaposed by the one-of-a-kind design touches on the ceiling. Above: This antique-inspired armoire serves double duty as a writing desk.

But even though Cravotta knew the homeowners had great ideas, even he looks back at the original project with awe. I dont think anyone knew at that time what the project would eventually become, he says. After our first couple of meetings, it became clear that they were willing to dream big, and I was excited to dream big on their behalf. They shared with me their love of the TV show Dark Shadows and said they always dreamed of living in an old English manor or castle. I had never worked in that style before, but I love to research and so began a six-year process.

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Modest interiors executed with integrity

can be every bit as beautiful this space, Cravotta says.

as

INTERNATIONAL INSPIRATION Once Cravotta had a concrete idea of the homeowners vision for the manor, he began a several-year hunt for just the right pieces to fit into the theme. The search for furnishings was a very involved process including trips to England, France and the Netherlands as well as throughout the U.S., Cravotta says. We filled the house with museum-quality antiques as well as new pieces, including pieces I designed and commissioned specifically for the home, he adds. Among the furniture pieces Cravotta personally designed were the stunning dining table, master bed, master armoire, the theater seating and the grandiose golden theater doors. In addition, Cravotta worked with artisans to design every visible architectural detail, from every millwork profile, to each individual hand-carving.

Above: It took six years of work to bring together the entire home and to ensure that all of the dcor had a synergy with that defined Malinard Manors overall look.

ONE-OF-A-KIND WORK Not only is Malinard Manor set apart by the unique design touches and the palatial scope of the home, but it is also the only house in its class, thanks to the custom designs throughout. Really every square foot of this home is saturated in finely crafted detail, Cravotta says. We designed and engineered everything you can see in the house. From the paneling systems, which are very intricate, to the wood and tile floor patterns, to the carpets (which were all designed specifically for the home) to the ornamental plaster on the ceilings, to the hand-embroidered fabric panels on the walls of the master bedroom, the list just goes on forever. If you want to achieve the same type of Victorian Gothic look in your home, authenticity is key, Cravotta advises. Im not a fan of faux details, he says. I am fiercely dedicated to quality regardless of the budget. In other words, if I dont have the budget for a 30-foot tall hand-carved fireplace, I would design or select something much more simple in order for it to be expressed with integrity. Translating this type of detail to a smaller budget for your own space is not impossible, however. Modest interiors executed with integrity can be every bit as beautiful as this space, Cravotta says. One idea for emulating a detail at a fraction of the cost is in the patterned wood floors. In the last couple of years, there have been a number of brands of pre-finished engineered wood flooring that look pretty nice and are modestly priced. The floor anchors the space and regardless of which type is chosen, it should not look cheap.

Above: The homeowners were inspired by the Dark Shadows series, and it shows in this amazing and ornate bathroom. Above:Hand carvings throughout the home are among the hallmarks of Malinard Manors uniqueness.

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The familys theater serves as a central point in the manor because of their love for movies. From the red carpet to the velvet curtain to the comfortable cinema seats, there is no better place to spend a few hours every day.

A CLASSIC THEATER
One of the most striking features of Malinard Manor is the exquisite theater, which features an actual red carpet entryway flanked by golden doors with carved lions to punctuate the rooms majesty. From the cozy red theater seating to the etched ceiling, the homeowners spared no expense in creating a classic media haven. I wanted a really sumptuous space rooted in the spirit of a late 19th- through early 20th-century Parisian opera house, Cravotta says about the room. The homeowners are huge movie lovers. In fact, the theater is among the designers favorite spaces in the entire manor. There was an immense amount of design and engineering collaboration with the audio visual designer to produce a world-class audio-visual experience without compromise to the aesthetic, he says.

One of the most striking features of Malinard Manor is the

exquisite theater.

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