Paxton House, The Borders Scotland (Pvt.)
Paxton House was built in two phases, the first part is a restrained Palladian Mansion by Adam between 1758 and 1762 and the second is a Regency extension built by Robert Reid. The exterior is of a mellow, pinky-brown stone, symmetrical, with a large pedimented entrance up the steps in the centre.
It has been open to the public since 1992 and is run by the Paxton Trust. A guided tour is given to all visitors and many family stories are related, each room having particular anecdotes associated with the contents. The house was built as a romantic and optimistic gesture by Patrick, in the hope that his marriage to one of the daughters of Frederick the Great would see her installed here with him. He had gone over to the German court and fell deeply in love with her. However, the marriage was not to be and Patrick lost all enthusiasm for Paxton.
The house is full of Chippendale furniture, ornate and highly styled pieces such as the unique star-backed chairs in the Lady's bedroom, to more functional items such as linen rails. As is quite common, where you find Chippendale furniture, you also find Robert Adam decoration and here at Paxton is one of his most delightful schemes in the Drawing Room. Neo-classical plasterwork ceilings and friezes are picked out in subtle and well-balanced colours, with unusual painted bands of flowers, plants and classical urns down the walls.
In the earlier parts of the house, such as the Reception Room and the Family Staircase, the white Rococo plasterwork provides a good contrast in styles and fashions to the later Adam's style in the extension.
Also on display are costumes old and new - some of Patrick's court attire is on show as is the magnificent Carthaginian Knight's outfit he wore for the 1750 Carnival in Berlin. During the Summer of 2000, other costumes, from BBC productions such as Pride and Prejudice and Aristocrats are also displayed in the various rooms.
Paxton has wonderful walks in the grounds, with red squirrels and an ice house featured.