Thursday, March 11, 2010

'Idle Hour' Interiors Part 1


The first set of interiors from 'Idle Hour', the William K. Vanderbilt estate designed by Richard Howland Hunt c. 1899 in Oakdale. Click HERE for more on 'Idle Hour'.







Pictures from Architectural Record, 1903.

9 comments:

magnus said...

Wonderful photos of a house that was clearly as ponderous and lugubrious within as without. Imagine sitting in that "Living Hall" on a late June day- with the temperature hovering in the mid 80's and the humidity not far behind.

The Down East Dilettante said...

with the tapestry smelling all damp and musty, and the velvet and plush upholsteries all hot and fuzzy?

So magnificent, so superbly built, and so unrelated to the outdoors....even the gardens are enclosed...no terraces leading to the lawns, no outdoor sitting area...

Anonymous said...

Lugubrious indeed, Magnus! Imagine having to live among all that ostentatious clutter. It would be almost impossible to live up to it. If any home would be an incubator for depression, this is it.

magnus said...

and here's a decorative note for you- look at the end of the Living Hall, opposite the fireplace and organ pipes. It appears that a tapestry has been split down the center and hung over the door a la portieres. And just imagine that organ wheezing away in the heat (according to the wonderful Dowling College website, there were actually two organs- a manual model and a "player" model). One can never have too much organ music, I guess.

Jeff said...

I've seen interiors of this house before, and everytime I see them again, there seems to be more and more... stuff.

Not all critical here, folks. I think the main stair is pretty spectacular in craftsmanship. Also, I think the Library was the most successful room in the house. It is one of the smaller rooms, so it is a little more focused, but that's just me.

PS. Lugubrious is an awesome word. High five for extending my vocabulary.

Zach L. said...

Mind you all there are about 7 or 8 more interiors to come tomorrow.

Jeff said...

Keep 'em coming!

Anonymous said...

this 'building' is so Vanderbilt. Too much money too quickly

Anonymous said...

Same organ often had a player built into the console and also many had remote cabinets,desks,etc with a separate system to play the rolls also