Rippon Lea Estate consists of a lavish urban mansion, a large garden, orchard and associated outbuildings (including the stable complex, the lodge, the conservatory and glasshouses, the fernery, the porte-cochere, the 1930s swimming pool, and the 1930s ballroom). The property has integrity as an uncommonly large and intact suburban estate, which survived subdivision and encroachment by suburbia.
In 1868, Marian and Frederick Sargood bought 11.3 hectares (23 acres) of scrub land at Elsternwick, naming it after Frederick’s mother Emma Rippon (Lea is an old English word for meadow). Frederick had arrived in the colony as a 15 year old, first working for the Public Works Department and then joining his father’s expanding clothing and drapery importing firm which supplied soft goods to the diggers. Like many of the merchants active during the gold rush, Sargood made his fortune and Rippon Lea was the result of his newfound prosperity.
The main drive leading up to the mansion. Extensive gardens and significant tree plantings flank the driveway. |
The Mansion is imposing from all angles and provides wonderful opportunities for the photographer. |
A view of the conservatory/orchid house, which is also accessible from the Drawing Room, inside the house. |
Two conservatories were added to building – these could be accessed from the interior rooms and brought the garden and Sargood’s passion for orchids, indoors. |
The Entrance Hall, looking towards the Dining Room. To the left is the Drawing Room and to the right the more modest lounge, which also communicates with the Dining Room. |
The Lounge Room, perfect for pre-dinner drinks, some music-making or some relaxation. |
An elaborate drinks cabinet catering to the cocktail-swigging crowds of the 1930s. |
The Argus , published in Melbourne from 1846-1957, was the quality newspaper of record in the nineteenth and first part of the twentieth century. Here is the January 1st, 1938 issue. |
The Dining Room also shows the extravagance of the glamorous Hollywood style so beloved of Louisa Jones. |
A grand staircase leads to the bedrooms of the first floor. |
A beautiful stained glass window in the stairwell, showing more examples of Sargood's botanical motifs. |
The main bedroom, redecorated to Julia Jones Hollywood taste... |
Original photograph of Frederick and Marian Sargood taken around the time of their wedding, ca. 1858. |
A small but functional home office shows state of the art technology for the 1930s... |
The back lawn of the Mansion with the Ballroom to the left. |
The swimming pool in front of the Ballroom. |
Louisa Jones' Hollywood Ballroom. The addition of the swimming pool and ballroom allowed Louisa and her husband Timothy, to throw extravagant parties. |
The windmill of the garden is functional as well as decorative. Beautiful beds of a great variety of dahlia cultivars are in the foreground. |
The boat shed where the pleasure boats were lodged when not used for leisure activities on the lake. |
A duck revels in the lake, the surface of which is covered with duckweed (Wolffia microscopica). Although it is unsightly, the plant is used as food by many aquatic animals and birds. |
A garden folly or rotunda, sitting on top of a small mound provides a shady, cool place to rest in or to admire sweeping views of the garden and house. |
A lovely view of the garden, lake and one of the ornamental bridges. |
What an amazing, gorgeous place!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Rippon Lea is right near my home and I have been to a few weddings there, over the years. But I most certainly never saw all the rooms and gardens you got into. Well done :)
ReplyDeleteWere Reed and Barnes let loose to make their own design decisions way back in 1868? I assume the Sargoods loved the polychrome Lombardic Romanesque style, at a time when it was probably not well known in Victoria. Perhaps they had a specific house in mind (in Britain?) that acted as a role model for their new Melbourne home.
It's very beautiful! And you are right photographers do love this place no doubt about it. My kind of place to hang out the whole day. ^_^
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Nice photos, I like this place and the house is stunning, incredibly beautiful, great catch.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tour of houses described in all those Novels of Victorian era. thanks a lot. This place sure is palatial.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a gorgeous building! Great photo series.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos Nick - I didn't realise that Ripponlea is so beautiful, I must visit with my camera soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! The exterior, the interior, the grounds--everything is lovely. I would love to tour that mansion!!!! Mickie :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures and commentary do justice to this lovely old mansion. I enjoy the craftsmanship in these old mansions.
fantastic photos of this wonderful place, thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI'm still dreaming.....
ReplyDeleteSensational presentation of this wonderful spot.
ReplyDeleteI don't seem to be able to get to the end of my comment before the box vanishes.
ReplyDeleteemail didn't work either.
ReplyDeleteexcellent photography, not sure about the house, love the fernery.
Wow..you've documented this place extensively with beautiful photos, and information! I couldn't fathom how expensive it would be to run such a mansion.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen such a rich and beautiful home...
ReplyDeleteWell done...Thank you!
I don't know if that comment went through or got eaten somehow. I was just saying, wow, what feast for the senses! Those Victorians did some things exactly right. Thanks so much for recording this!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a magnificient house!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your fabulous shots. And thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment;o)
What an interesting place I enjoyed the virtual tour.
ReplyDeleteI have dropped by to answer your questions on my last News From Italy post. Unfortunately you have your email set as no reply and I do not reply on the blog.
What an interesting place I enjoyed the virtual tour.
It is indeed very sad that the trees were removed, but I am sure that it will indeed look as lovely as it did previously again one day, for future generations to enjoy, if as we hope new trees are planted.
They were unsafe so it was nothing to do with spoiling the view and the shade was appreciated.
I reckon I could live there, Nick :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great walk through that magnificent place. Reminiscent of the style of Osbourne, Prince Albert's creation on the Isle of Wight.
Hi Nick, with work and play (photography) you still have time to manage quite a number of your blogs, I salute!
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos and a lovely place to visit!
The lawn maze reminds me of many things!
Fabulous Nick, you have really shown us in such a detailed way just how grand this old estate is. I can just imagine the parties they had here in the 1930's, the pool, that huge dining room, yup my imagination is working overtime. Excellent post.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the Conservatory has had some work done to it since I was last there a few years ago. I'll have to drop by for another visit.
ReplyDeleteFantastic!!!
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