A great house is a large and stately residence; the term encompasses different styles of dwelling in different countries. The name refers to the makeup of the household rather than to any particular architectural style. It particularly refers to large households of times past in Anglophone countries (especially those of the turn of the 20th Century, i. e. the late Victorian or Edwardian ages in the United Kingdom and the Gilded Age in the United States), such as the English country house, the "stately homes of England" and the homes of various "millionaires' row" (or "millionaires' mile") in some U.S. cities such as Newport, Rhode Island with luxurious appointments and great retinues of indoor and outdoor staff. By some reports, the summer homes of the wealthy at Newport averaged four servants per family member. There was often an elaborate hierarchy among staff, domestic workers in particular. In Ireland, the term big house is usual for the houses of the Anglo-Irish ascendancy.
It was considered declassé to refer to one's own townhouses, estates or villas (or those of friends) as mansions and modern etiquette books still advise that the terms house, big house or great house be used instead.
As in the past, today's great houses are limited to heads of state, the very rich, or those who have inherited them; few in the developed world are staffed at the level of past centuries. The International Guild of Butlers estimates that the annual salaries of a 20-25 person household staff total in excess of US$1,000,000.
In countries with supplies of cheap domestic labour, the middle classes are still able to afford household help, but not approaching the numbers involved in the running of a great house.
Management
On large estates or in families with more than one residence, there may be a steward (or the modern equivalent, an estate manager) who oversees direction of the entire establishment. Today, it is not uncommon for a couple to split the duties of management between them.
Household staff
Practices vary depending on the size of the household and the preference of the employers, but in general the staff is divided into departments run by the:
Support household staff
- Chauffeur
- Companion
- (Lady's Companion)
- Governess
- Lady's maid
- Nanny
- Tutor
- Valet (Gentleman's gentleman)
Junior household staff
- Footmen
- Between maids (also called Hall girl particularly in the US)
- Hall boy
- Maids
- chambermaids
- housemaids
- parlourmaids
- kitchen maids
- laundry maids
- nursery maid
- scullery maids
- still room maids
- Page
- Seamstress
- Useful Man also called houseman
Grounds staff
An Estate Manager may have charge of the maintenance and care of the grounds, landscaping, and outbuildings (pool, cabana, stables, greenhouse etc.) which is divided into departments run by the:
Support grounds staff
- Gardeners
- Groundskeepers
- Stablehands
- Handyman
Depictions of great houses
The complex hierarchy of a staff in a great house has been portrayed in several notable productions for film and television. Among these are:
- Backstairs at the White House (miniseries)
- The Edwardian Country House
- Gosford Park
- Mansfield Park
- The Remains of the Day (film)
- Servants (BBC television series)
- Sense and Sensibility (film)
- Upstairs, Downstairs
- You Rang, M'Lord?
- Conrad's Fate - Stallery Mansion is a Great House with over a thousand servants.
Notable great houses
- Lyndhurst
- Eaton Hall (Cheshire)
- Hatfield House
- Holkham Hall
- Mansion House, London
- Syon House
- Hearst Castle
- White House
- Belcourt Castle
- The Breakers
- Marble House
- The Elms
- Rosecliff
- Hyde Park
- Moszna
- Biltmore Estate
- Westbury House
Notes
- ^ Pakenham, Valerie (2001). The Big House in Ireland . photographs by Thomas Pakenham. Cassell. ISBN 0304354228.
Indoor Dog Houses - Indoor Doghouses - Small Dog Houses
Looking for an indoor dog house for your small dog? Browse out indoor dog houses or call 1-800-993-0265
Barclay Indoor-Outdoor Insulated Dog House - Dog Houses at Dog Houses
Barclay Indoor-Outdoor Insulated Dog House - What We Like About The Barclay Indoor-Outdoor Insulated Dog House Great for owners and pets alike, the Barclay Indoor-Outdoor Insulated ...
Indoor Dog House And Other Gifts
Room with a View Dog House. This one-of-a-kind habitat is beautifully designed and constructed. Made of kiln dried wood treated with natural color stains to enhance the appearance ...
Indoor Dog Houses & Residences - Frontgate
Frontgate - Find luxury home decor, indoor furnishings, kitchen and bath essentials, and electronics at Frontgate - we outfit America's finest homes with high-end furnishings
Indoor Dog House
Ideal indoor dog house for dog that likes that added touch of luxury. Luxury indoor dog house made from cedar.
Mini Starbarks Indoor Dog House by yappyhappy on Etsy
Hand crafted, very detailed dog house. For indoors only. Great for a spoiled little dog 15 lbs and under. I can also custom make any theme or colors
Indoor Dog House/Bedside Table by madshome on Etsy
“HUNDE HUS” is a modern pet sanctuary, that doubles as a bedside table and as a dog/cat bed and den. Inside, the pet can snuggle up and is provided
Portable Travel Dog Kennel and Indoor Wicker Dog House. Travel Dog ...
Offers a Portable Wicker Dog Kennel House for indoor dog house for containment. Along withtravel dog kennels cage like but more pen like. Our chain link modular dog kennels are ...
Indoor Dog Houses - Dog.com
Dog supplies from dog.com includes a huge variety of dog supplies & products at wholesale discounted prices. Dog.com satisfies your dog supplies & dog information needs.
INDOOR DOG HOUSES
Are you looking for an indoor dog house for your small dog? Browse out indoor dog houses or call 1-800-993-0265