Nearby: The Rooms of Blithewold Mansion

In New England, Blithewold is known for its gardens, and for good reason. Their beauty  covers 33 acres of land, much of which faces the calm Narragansett Bay. There are rock and water gardens, a rose garden and enclosed garden, and even a lover's lane. Like Tower Hill Botanic Garden, each spring promises an enchanted display of daffodils, and Blithewold always celebrates their arrival. But when I went, it was the rooms I adored.  These were my favorite out of the forty-five rooms the mansion holds, a mansion that was built not once but twice at the turn of the century (the original was destroyed by fire and luckily, the fire was so slow burning that most of the furniture could be saved). Blithewold, meaning "happy woodland" was the summer home of the prestigious Van Wickle family, who had made their money in Pennsylvania coal. Instead of Newport, they chose this wonderful spot in Bristol and hired a Boston architectural firm to build their home by the bay, in the English country manor style. Even inside, one is always reminded of the great outdoors beyond, for the place is filled with an abundance of light and views of the sea. Not surprisingly, Blithewold is a favorite wedding venue and in fact, one was in the works as my friend and I left.  Tourists race to Newport to see the mansions, but Blithewold is just as worthy for a visit, not only for its magnificent grounds, but also for the rooms that overlook them. 

Nearby: Castle Hill

This past Sunday I had the lovely pleasure to drive with a friend north to Ispwich to attend a 1920s themed party at Castle Hill on Crane Estate. When I visited Crane Beach several months ago, when warm weather was just beginning to arrive for the year, I saw the great mansion from a distance and hoped to return in the summer to witness its architectural splendor. This weekend I had that opportunity, made even more profound by a party which celebrated the traditions and style of its glory years. The gorgeous, rolling lawn was filled with picnickers dressed as flappers and their accompanying gentlemen, sipping sweet white wine as they listened to the band play light tunes that the brave and courageous danced to. 

Countless vendors set up their temporary shops while others played badminton and bocce as  casually as if they did so each day. The weather was as perfect as the estate itself and for the first time in a week the temperatures were low enough to enjoy the summer sun without broiling. The evening could not have been more enchanting. 

A Rose on Beacon Hill

Over the weekend I found myself once again venturing into the historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill. This time it was to visit the Nichols House Museum located at 55 Mount Vernon Street. As soon as I entered through the doorway, I was greeted by two cheerful and very friendly docents. The house was originally built in 1804 but the rooms have been preserved and kept in the style of its last owner, Rose Standish Nichols, who I learned was quite an extraordinary lady. She lived in the house from 1885 until 1960 and decorated it with her own particular, exquisite taste. Nearly everything in the house belonged to her and it was hard to keep track of all her treasures- everywhere I looked I seemed to find one. But she was not only a remarkable collector, she was also a suffragist, a pacifist (they always seem to go hand in hand) as well as a landscape gardener who produced three books on the subject. As a lover of good conversation, she regularly used her home as a salon and threw countless tea parties as well (she made her own tea, but I was told it wasn't very good-still, I would have gone despite that). She had two sisters who were also somewhat unconventional women for their time: Marian ran for the State Legislature in 1920 and the youngest daughter Margaret taught carpentry (not surprisingly, they shared Rose's passion for social issues). What a pleasure it was to hear the history of such strong, interesting women. 

When I returned home, I read an article Rose had written for House Beautiful in 1910 on "Individuality in Interior Decoration," that was available to read on the Nichols House Museum website. I loved her opening lines:

"Simplicity and sincerity should form the keynote of the interior of our homes. If the inside of a house is pretentiously elaborate or if it does not suggest its owner's individuality, it is an obvious failure. Try to turn your home into a haven for rest and work and recreation, make it a real home..." 

and

"Comfort and convenience should never be sacrificed for the sake of following worn-out precedents or of exhibiting a forced admiration for 'high art.' Where we live and love and have the best part of our being is no place for any sort of pretense." 

Perhaps my favorite part of the house was the simplest part of all: the butler's pantry, which I photographed above (it is the seventh picture). I wanted it for myself! And I left Beacon Hill wanting it to be my very own neighborhood. I am falling in love with it. 

Special thanks to Emma and Maureen who were so very kind to me on my visit. I cannot wait to return and share the museum's special space with my mother.