scorecardA decaying mansion that was once Coco Chanel's 'love nest' is about to become a luxury hotel. Take a look inside the Scottish estate where the iconic designer once hosted Winston Churchill.
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A decaying mansion that was once Coco Chanel's 'love nest' is about to become a luxury hotel. Take a look inside the Scottish estate where the iconic designer once hosted Winston Churchill.

Coco Chanel spent several summers in the 1920s at Rosehall Estate with her lover, Hugh "Bendor" Grosvenor, the second Duke of Westminster.

A decaying mansion that was once Coco Chanel's 'love nest' is about to become a luxury hotel. Take a look inside the Scottish estate where the iconic designer once hosted Winston Churchill.

The couple hosted several well known visitors at their "love nest," including future prime minister Winston Churchill.

The couple hosted several well known visitors at their "love nest," including future prime minister Winston Churchill.

The estate is located in the Scottish Highlands, less than a two hour drive from Inverness.

The estate is located in the Scottish Highlands, less than a two hour drive from Inverness.

Source: Google Maps

The original house was built in the early 1800s and rebuilt after a fire burned it down.

The original house was built in the early 1800s and rebuilt after a fire burned it down.

The home has 22 rooms ...

The home has 22 rooms ...

Source: The Times

... spread across two stories.

... spread across two stories.

Source: The Times

The home has sat vacant since 1967 ...

The home has sat vacant since 1967 ...

... but some of Chanel's unique interior designs can still be seen.

... but some of Chanel

Source: The Times

Some of the walls are painted in Chanel's signature tone of beige.

Some of the walls are painted in Chanel

The French fashion designer had these wallpapers handprinted for the house, inspired by those in her Paris apartment.

The French fashion designer had these wallpapers handprinted for the house, inspired by those in her Paris apartment.

In that space, Chanel opted for ornate furnishings in dark tones.

In that space, Chanel opted for ornate furnishings in dark tones.

Remnants of similarly ornate furnishings ...

Remnants of similarly ornate furnishings ...

... and lighting fixtures can still be seen at Rosehall Estate.

... and lighting fixtures can still be seen at Rosehall Estate.

However, there is widespread dry rot.

However, there is widespread dry rot.

Still, the house is considered a historic landmark in Scotland.

Still, the house is considered a historic landmark in Scotland.

It's believed to be the only building Chanel ever designed in the United Kingdom.

It

Even the bathroom may have historic significance. Rosehall is believed to have been home to Scotland's first bidet.

Even the bathroom may have historic significance. Rosehall is believed to have been home to Scotland

Despite her attention to detail inside the main house, Chanel likely spent most of her time at Rosehall outside.

Despite her attention to detail inside the main house, Chanel likely spent most of her time at Rosehall outside.

During an October 1927 visit to another Scottish estate with Chanel, Winston Churchill wrote in a letter to his wife that the French fashion designer "fishes from morning till night, and in two months has killed 50 salmon."

During an October 1927 visit to another Scottish estate with Chanel, Winston Churchill wrote in a letter to his wife that the French fashion designer "fishes from morning till night, and in two months has killed 50 salmon."

The couple primarily used Rosehall as a sporting lodge for hunting and fishing.

The couple primarily used Rosehall as a sporting lodge for hunting and fishing.

Churchill wrote during a May 1927 visit to Rosehall, "This is a very agreeable house in a Highland valley. Well-equipped with salmon, trout and snipe. The air is most exhilarating, keen and yet caressing. It is quite different to England. Coco got three fish yesterday."

Churchill wrote during a May 1927 visit to Rosehall, "This is a very agreeable house in a Highland valley. Well-equipped with salmon, trout and snipe. The air is most exhilarating, keen and yet caressing. It is quite different to England. Coco got three fish yesterday."

Tourists might soon have the opportunity to go fishing at Rosehall, too. The Scottish estate was finally purchased by an undisclosed buyer with plans to convert it into a boutique hotel, after the home sat for more than four years on the market with an asking price of £3 million ($3.94 million).

Tourists might soon have the opportunity to go fishing at Rosehall, too. The Scottish estate was finally purchased by an undisclosed buyer with plans to convert it into a boutique hotel, after the home sat for more than four years on the market with an asking price of £3 million ($3.94 million).

Source: The Times

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