N.Y. Woman Transforms Her Ordinary Condo Unit into a Medieval Castle: 'My Dream Home' (Exclusive)
"I love people's reactions to it," Chris McNamee tells PEOPLE exclusively of her Long Island residence
Courtesy of Chris McNamee and Janet Simon
Chris McNamee's Long Island home.One New York woman is currently residing in her "dream home" — a replica of a medieval Irish castle!
"I always dreamed of living in an old, dark wooden church, or, of course, an actual castle, but there are none to be had, so I decided to build one," Chris McNamee tells PEOPLE exclusively of her condominium unit on Long Island.
Detailing that she "bought this place with the intention of turning it into my dream home," McNamee, 63, continues, "I started this transformation almost 11 years ago, and there have been many changes over that time, as I found more suitable furnishings and came up with more ideas."
"I have bought and sold a lot of furniture over the course of these years. Nearly everything in the house now is from the 1800s," she says. "I spent a lot of time looking for inspiration, and then trying to incorporate those ideas into the house. Traveling to pick up furniture, mostly throughout New England, is always an adventure, and it gives me great fodder for stories to share with those who come to visit."
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Courtesy of Chris McNamee and Janet Simon
Chris McNamee's Long Island home.In her home, McNamee has candlelit chandeliers, thrones as seats and medieval paintings — plus a main dining table that is actually from a castle in England.
Named "Mac Con Midhe Castle," which McNamee explains "is the original Gaelic spelling of my surname," the home is made up of many areas that she considers to be her "favorite."
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Courtesy of Chris McNamee and Janet Simon
Chris McNamee's Long Island home."The fireplace wall in the living room, which is the focal point of the first floor; the stairwell, which really awes visitors and gives the whole house an air of authenticity; and the master bedroom, which, with its dark wood ceiling beams and corbels and stained-glass windows, is very reminiscent of an old church," she says of her three most cherished spots in the home.
"I love people's reactions to it," McNamee, who serves as the Senior Director of Construction at Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, adds of her abode. "And sitting home, surrounded by this art, is very peaceful."
Courtesy of Chris McNamee and Janet Simon
Chris McNamee's Long Island home.According to McNamee, she has "always had an affinity for the architecture of castles, but I have never actually visited one."
"I'm planning to take a tour through the castles of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales for my birthday, coming up in just over a year," she tells PEOPLE.
As for inspiring others to decorate and furnish their homes however they like, even if it may seem unconventional to others, McNamee shares one piece of advice — just "go for it."
"This kind of work is an ongoing labor of love. It's very rewarding and fun, and it is an outlet for artistic expression akin to any other medium," she explains.
