With my lifelong affection for foxes, it felt only fitting to hang an English painting of a running fox above the second landing in our front hall, near Fox Hall’s most distinctive architectural feature: a pair of Palladian windows, both on the same wall — noted as one of the few known examples ever featured in a 19th-century American home.
Our house, built in 1803, is historically known as the General Solomon Cowles House; that name will always be part of its documentation. But, twenty-six years ago, when we moved in, we decided to name the house “Fox Hall.” The name combines my love for foxes along with a nod to its majestic architectural feature of the two Palladian windows which grace the front hall.
When my daughter Alexandra lived in England, I was enchanted by the tradition that every house had a name; naming your home is not just common, but expected. The name becomes part of the address, replacing street numbers in many cases. There’s something so dignified and charming about this custom. So, why not create a name for your own home or apartment? It’s a delightful way to add personality and a bespoke spirit to your abode!
Embracing house names opens up a world of charming personalization. On the cover of my Pearls of Palm Beach book, I featured “The English House,” whose linen closet is filled with towels and linens embroidered with its distinguished name. This is a page taken from the “Darling Details” section; a featured section for each house in the book.
For our carriage house, situated behind Fox Hall, I worked with my embroiderer to create a custom “Little Fox” motif for all of the linens.
Have fun creating a name for your house!
When it came time to name our carriage house, the whole family voted — the name “Little Fox” won. The same naming ritual took place for our first apartment in Palm Beach, “Petite Fox,” and now, our present apartment is “Fox Worth.”
It’s not just about monograms. A house name can adorn everything from engraved stationery to bespoke mailboxes, embroidered towels, bookplates, ice buckets, butter molds, and even a door knocker. There are endless ways to personalize your house’s name!
Grandmillennial Tip:
Incorporating your house name is a splendid way to personalize the gifts you give. When we filmed the pilot episode of my PBS TV series, You Are Cordially Invited, in a stunning home in West Hartford, Connecticut, the owners gave me a beautiful Limoges box as a memento. It featured a rendering of their house on the front and the name, “Eyrie Knoll,” on the back. I cherish the memories it holds each time I see it in the living room.
So… what’s the name of your house?
Xx
Holly
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