A mansion is an architectural structure of great size and opulence. The word originates from the French word for "large house" or "large estate". Historically, a manor house was a country house built for the lord of the manor. Manor houses began to be built with half-timbering, which was later replaced with stone as building technology improved. The outer walls of many mansions still stand today, though often only as foundations if destroyed by fire or decay. They are most often found in country estates and stately homes of Europe and North America.
Characteristics of a Quality Mansion
1) Good Location
The location of a mansion is important, and it will impact the price of the house. If you are looking to buy a mansion, then look for one with a view. The best view is usually the view of some other manor or castle that can be seen from it. This can make your life at home much more interesting if you have friends over often (if you are a bit odd like me, this can also be handy to see girls without being caught).
2) Half-timbering
The original exterior of a mansion is known as half-timbering. This is a term that signifies the use of large wooden timbers rather than rough-cut stone or brick to create an old English country house. The use of half-timbering created a quieter, more elegant look, and it was preferred in homes for the wealthy upper classes because it was cheaper to build and maintain than stone or brick construction.
3) High ceilings
An important feature of a mansion is the high ceilings in many rooms. The higher the ceiling, the more space you have to decorate with antiques and collectibles without having to increase the size of furniture.
4) Two or more floors
A mansion should have at least two floors, and preferably three. It is important to have a decent floor plan that allows for privacy for each bedroom. This means that you want to have at least two bathrooms per floor, and the bedrooms themselves should be far enough from each other to allow for some privacy when your children are talking over the phone with their friends (or worse).
5) A Big Kitchen
A kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your mansion because if you plan on entertaining large groups, you will need a big kitchen.
6) Master Bedroom (Second Floor)
The master bedroom should be on the second floor of the house. This is important for security reasons, and to have better views out of the window (looking down on your neighbors instead of up at your attic). The master bedroom should be large enough to fit a king-sized bed, as well as a couch and enough space for your wife's makeup table. The master bathroom should contain 2 sinks, a jacuzzi tub, and separate shower.
7) Grandeur Architecture
A mansion should have good architecture. If it is 18th century, then it should have a double-height hall and turret that can be used with a separate staircase for entertaining. If you are going to be entertaining a lot, then you need the space of the 2nd floor and beyond.
8) Beautiful Gardens
The gardens at a mansion should be beautiful and extensive; this is how the majority of people will judge your house's quality. The main areas of the garden can include a terrace, interior fountain, or greenhouse in addition to the grounds for playing croquet, lawn bowling or other games which require space. You also want to make sure that your mansion has a separate area for attending to your horse(s).
9) Wide Parcels of Land
A mansion is not a mansion unless it has a wide parcel of land. This means that at least one-third of the land should be useable for farming purposes. The next third should be used for lawn and garden purposes, and the final third should be used for the house itself.
10) Landscaping
The landscaping is just as important as all of the above points because you want your house to stand out among other manor houses in your area. If possible, then you want a gated driveway lined with trees that lead up to a priority parking spot near the door.
11) Rich in History
A mansion should have a rich history behind it. This is important because you want to create a sense of mystery all around the house to allow for rumors to be spread that others will not know about.
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I've always wanted to invest in a luxury property! Looking forward to my site inspected with you next week.