 Work began in about 1735 and continued until Dashwood 's death in 1781 , when the older house had been transformed inside and out . The long building time partly explains the flaws and variations in design : when building commenced , Palladianism was the height of fashion , but by the time of its completion , Palladianism had been succeeded by Neoclassicism ; thus , the house is a marriage of both styles . While the marriage is not completely unhappy , the Palladian features are marred by the lack of Palladio 's proportions : the east portico is asymmetrical with the axis of the house , and trees were planted either side to draw the eye away from the flaw . 
