upstairs to four bedrooms with nine-foot ceilings and ensuite bathrooms . The roof will also get an exterior makeover , replacing slate with red cedar shingles .
Downstairs , the plan is to convert the current kitchen into a games room with the vault door repurposed as its entrance . Elman ’ s bedroom is to become a kitchen , the library a second living room with patio access , and a hidden guest bedroom is to be added behind a bookshelf door . They intend to add a mudroom , a proper entrance with a main staircase to the upstairs , and a tower capped with a cupula to the front of the building . The Baughmans hope to maximize the views from within the house and make the outside easier to access , something that landscape architect Carol Craig will help them to achieve . The wine cellar is to remain the same , and the garage will be expanded to hold three cars . All renovations and improvements are on track to be finished by December 2025 or the following spring if there are any significant delays . There ’ s a website , chesterfieldestate . com , for friends , family , and anyone else interested in following along with the renovations through drone footage , pictures , and Caroline ’ s blog . There also is a contact section for anyone wanting to share photos or stories of their time at the estate . Lucy , who owns Wordville Press in London , oversees the website ’ s content and social media . She is also working on a book about the history of Aston Magna and its transformation into Chesterfield .
It ’ s one big team effort —“ Team Chesterfield ,” as Caroline likes to call them . They may be making a lot of changes , but what the Baughmans want most of all is to stay true to the original intent of the house . So , instead of the music studio , there will be Nelson ’ s Cottage , and instead of a vault , there will be an elevator . Instead of dark , cramped rooms , there will be wide , welcoming spaces . Instead of the home of Charles Lang Freer , Albert and Mary Spalding , or Lee Elman , it will be the home of Jack and Caroline Baughman . But no matter what , when you walk outside , there will still be the pine-covered hill , the gorgeous views , and the turkey vultures soaring high above . ■
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Spring 2024 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 53