Bees and Fleur de lis

My husband and I had a Christmas party to attend in Newport this weekend. We had a fabulous time with fun friends. Since all was quiet on the home front, we were able to spend the night and turned our weekend into a mini getaway ~ such fun!

Sunday morning we awoke to snowflakes dancing in the sky. It was a very gray morning but the snow made it special. After a lovely breakfast, we decided to visit the Newport mansions decorated for the Christmas season. They were simply amazing!

Below is the Vanderbilt's summer home in Newport, RI known as The Breakers.

It is clearly stated that photography is not permitted in the mansion with the exception of the main entry. I am usually very respectful of the rules but I must admit, I broke a few during our visit.

Truth be told, I needed to take pictures for decorating references when we become gazillionaires (yes, that's a word, just ask my students) and build our very own mansion : ) I'll invite you all over for a tour; no need to get your date books out just yet.

*Please keep in mind that it was a very overcast day and very gray

(no, it has nothing to do with the fact that I have a new camera and have no idea how to use it!)

This was one of many enormous fireplaces in the summer home. It was located in the main hallway that served as a sitting area of sorts. The two in the dinning room were so massive that you could literally walk into it almost standing straight up. The fine detailed work that went into the design of each fireplace is beyond words. There were two completely encased in marble.

This was the sitting area of the youngest daughters room. It was decorated in pale pinks and soft greens with very delicate touches. It actually seem small compared to all the other rooms in the "home". It was definitely a girlie girls room.

Do to the fact that I wasn't allowed to take pictures, I'm failing you on the depth and height of these rooms. I wish I could have gotten a few pictures of the ceilings. Nothing went unnoticed in the decorating eye.

I had only one opportunity to sneak a shot in the dinning room so I went for the chandeliers. They were breathtaking ~ as was the case in many of the rooms. I hope you can somewhat see the detail and decor of the ceiling. It was very impressive. The dinning table sat up to 40 people with fire places on either end of the room. The colors in here were more demanding. They were heavy in deep rich reds.

The room below is of their breakfast room. It was gorgeous and going with the theme, enormous. The walls were a pale green with gilding. It had a very calm and quiet presence about the room. The softer colors made it appear more inviting. I could certainly find myself starting my morning off enjoy this lovely room and the incredible view outdoors.

The next two pictures are of the kitchen ~ they were amazing! The stove tops and ovens were massive. I can't even begin to imagine the flurry of activity that must have taken place in this area.

It's hard to see from this picture but the copper just gleamed. The pots and lids look teeny in the large room with enormously high ceilings.

The photo I really wanted to get ,but there was a house monitor standing in the room the entire time, was of the dish, china, silver and glassware room. It was two stories high! I need something along those lines : )

I've been try to convince my husband that I "need" a larger kitchen. I think this one just might fit my requirements! Do you think a chef comes with? : )



Tomorrow I'll show you the outside ~ I fell in love with the urns!

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