Picture this a grand estate nestled in the Blue Mountains. This is Everglades House a place steeped in history and elegance. Built between 1915 and 1938 it wasn’t always the showpiece we see today.
Everglades House began as a simple home. Georgina Stonier built it in 1915-16. She named it Everglades. The name’s origin is a mystery. It has no connection to Florida’s swamps. The house was part of a larger estate. It had been owned since 1880 by Captain Reynolds. Ernest Nardin later subdivided the land. This created homes and recreational areas including a golf course. The Nardins kept the portion where Everglades House stands.
In 1932 a Belgian businessman Henry van de Velde bought the property. A bushfire had destroyed a previous orchard. Van de Velde hired Paul Sorensen a renowned Danish landscape gardener. Sorensen designed the exquisite gardens and the house’s Art Deco style. He spent thousands on its development. Van de Velde tirelessly worked on the gardens. He often used his guests as laborers. Sorensen considered Van de Velde the greatest patron of landscaping in Australia.
The gardens are a masterpiece. Sorensen used the natural slope. He created terraces with stunning views. He incorporated native species like banksias and eucalyptus. This was unusual for the time. He even used ironstone rocks from the area for walls. He hand-dug the entire cultivated area. He removed ironstone creating terraces and walls. He placed a 40-ton rock creating the Grotto Pool. The construction was physically demanding. It took place during the Depression so there was readily available manpower.
The house is a testament to Art Deco design. It’s built on three floors with a basement. The exterior is stucco. The windows are steel-framed. Interiors have plaster walls and ceilings with Art Deco details. The bathrooms are luxurious with unusual decor. The gardens are filled with rare trees imported from various places. They include trees from Holland and New Zealand.
Tragically some sculptures were stolen or damaged. In 2012 a copy of the bronze statue Boy with a Thorn in his Foot was reinstalled. The original was stolen in 1983. The National Trust acquired a replica at auction.
Everglades House changed hands several times after Van de Velde’s death. The National Trust purchased it in 1962. It faced neglect and financial difficulties. The Trust worked to restore and maintain the property. Today Everglades House and its gardens stand as a treasured landmark. They demonstrate the collaborative efforts of landscape architects and owners. They represent Australian history and the beauty of garden design. They captivate visitors with their charm and grandeur.