History Of La Maison Rose
La Maison Rose is a property steeped in centuries of history, with origins tracing back to at least the 12th century, and likely earlier. Once part of a larger château that dominated the hilltop village of Miramont de Quercy, the house was under the ownership of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Its imposing porte cochère once welcomed carriages laden with supplies, which were stored in the expansive caves beneath the house.
The semi-fortified house has been entwined with our family for nearly 40 years. In 1992, my mother and stepfather inherited La Maison Rose from my step-grandparents, who had purchased it in 1988. My step-grandmother and her husband, Jimmy Huizinga—son of Johan Huizinga, the renowned historian and author of The Waning of the Middle Ages—spent a decade here after leaving the bustling crowds of Saint-Tropez behind. Their stewardship extended beyond the property itself, as they also entrusted its care to a colorful character: “Mad Mike” Hoare.
Mike Hoare, a former mercenary with a storied past that included a failed coup attempt in the Seychelles, had responded to an ad in The Lady magazine for the role of caretaker. Despite his shadowy exploits—including consulting on the film The Wild Geese—Mike proved a dedicated steward of La Maison Rose for over 20 years.
When my mother and stepfather, Lord and Lady Ashburton, took the helm, they embarked on an extensive restoration and reimagining of the property. With a passion for design and an eye for detail, my mother, an international fabric designer, filled the home with bespoke curtains and cushions from her own collections. The house was sensitively adapted to accommodate 14 guests, with five en-suite bedrooms and two more in the beautifully converted pigeonnier.
Today, my widowed mother continues to breathe life into the house, meticulously curating each room with her design expertise. The interiors reflect both family legacy and artistic heritage, showcasing works by my grandfather, John Spencer-Churchill (nephew of Sir Winston Churchill). His paintings, from expansive Amsterdam scenes to Tuscan-inspired painted cupboards, adorn nearly every space. My grandmother, Angela Culme Seymour, also left her artistic mark, with her works hanging throughout the home, many inspired by her time in Turkey with her fifth husband, Bulent Rauf who was a Turkish-British mystic, spiritual teacher, translator and author.
In 1993, my stepfather extended the family’s connection to the village by purchasing the neighboring cottage, La Maison Verte. This charming property, originally a 14th-century chapel, is thought to have served the original château. Adjacent to the courtyard, remnants of the château’s stables further tie the cottage to its medieval past.
La Maison Rose is more than a place to stay—it’s a living tapestry of history, art, and family legacy, lovingly preserved and shared with all who visit.
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Borderline fabrics are in every room and designed by Sally Baring
(later Lady Ashburton)
The images below are some of the designed fabrics in La Maison Rose designed by my mother when she ran her business 'Borderline'.
