Tuesday, April 3, 2012

'Winfield Hall' Interiors

The accompanying interiors to 'Winfield Hall', the Frank Winfield Woolworth estate designed by C.P.H. Gilbert c. 1916 in Glen Cove. Click HERE for more on 'Winfield Hall'.







Photos from Architectural Record, 1920.

9 comments:

magnus said...

Great photos Zach. Amazing how clear the view of Long Island Sound was. I remember being told many years ago that Frank Woolworth once asked his nearest neighbor to the North, Henry Schniewind, if he could top the trees on Schniewind's property to preserve and improve the view from Winfield. Apparently, Schniewind was so profoundly shocked by Woolworth's request, that he was still retelling the tale in tones of the greatest indignation decades after Woolworth's death.

As for my views of the interior- yesterday's comments taught me to "keep my opinions to myself", as my dear late mother often advised.

archibuff said...

Oh no, while mom's are usually right, this place is all about opinions, all should share even if some of them are wrong, lol.

The view of the sound looking through the picture frame in the music room is a very nice touch. I will ditto yesterday's comments; love the incredible marble stairhall and the ornate music room (more readily apparent when viewed in color). In fact from these period photos, can't find too much not right about the eclectic interiors.

Ann said...

Magnus, I'm not sure what your tastes are but shouldn't the interior redeem the building some in your eyes? :)

Again, I quite like this house. Yes the interior is very ornate and some may not care for it but I think it speaks to the period well and from a consumer perspective (as opposed to a professional) I would happily move into the place!

Doug Floor Plan said...

I'll respond to Archibuff & Ann about the interiors by pasting a comment I made about 'Winfield' on June 13, 2011:
• The reception room is little more than a wide hallway.
• The library is surprisingly small.
• The ballroom is dark.
• If you want to go into the billiard room, conservatory, or service areas of the house you have to go through the dining room, making the dining room sort of an intersection.
• More than one person has commented that the long second floor hallway feels like you’re in a hotel.

Yes, the interiors are ornate & eclectic (not is always a good thing); regardless, the floor plan is not that good & I think consumers of this type of property in that era would have easily spotted the weaknesses.

NYarch said...

I had the opportunity to walk through Winfield when it was opened for a house tour about 15 years ago and the ballroom was quite dramatic once all the fixtures were lit and the gold leaf detailing on the ceiling glistened. The library as well as the entire first floor is very intimately scaled and quite liveable if one could imagine saying that. The plasterwork and carved wood screens in the ballroom as well as the carved wood overmantle in the dining room and marble entrance hall cannot be fully appreciated in photos alone. Woolworths master bathroom is remarkable with what I believe were onyx tiled walls floors and tub. The very masculine billiards room was a stunning but again liveable space. Winfield is in my opinion a very special home and I hope it is well protected for future generations.

HalfPuddingHalfSauce said...

Winfield Hall - MASTERPIECE. Gilbert - GENIUS!

Archibuff said...

"Winfield Hall - MASTERPIECE. Gilbert - GENIUS!"

Oh HPHS, lol, Oh boy, I was too afraid to post that today.

Anonymous said...

I'll second HPHS...I'm tired of all this C.P.H. bashing....I think his work is amazing.

Ornate Ceilings and Walls said...

Having a love for ornate plaster and details I hope this building stands for many years to come. Thanks to NYarch for the mental pictures his comment evoke.