Whitehall Part I: Marbled Love

Photograph Courtesy of Flagler Museum,

Archival Images Courtesy Flagler Museum Archives

It is only apropos to follow up The Breakers post with Henry Flagler's Whitehall manse. After all, he was responsible for the early development of Florida through the construction of his hotels and acquisition and expansion of Florida East Coast Railway. The 60,000 square foot and 55 room winter haven was built in 1902 as a wedding present to his third wife, Mary Lily Kenan. Ain't Marbled Love grand?

Photograph Courtesy of Flagler Museum,

Archival Images Courtesy Flagler Museum Archives

This was my fifth visit to Whitehall but a first during Winter so the holiday decor made for a nice touch. Exploring the museum was the perfect way to while away the afternoon post my Krug-enhanced celebratory birthday lunch at Cafe Boulud. I try to revisit museums since I find myself noticing new things and seeing things differently each time. Beaux-Arts trained Architects John Carrere and Thomas Hastings designed the exterior, interior layout, the marble entrance hall, and its grand double staircase. Its distinguishing facade is marked by marble columns and topped with a red barrel tiled roof.

Classical tradition was followed when they designed Whitehall around a central courtyard. The layout takes advantage of the ocean breeze. The fountain is a copy of Giovanni da Bologna's "Venus", modeled after an ancient statue and commissioned by the Medici family for the Boboli Gardens in Florence.

"Henry Flagler's private Railcar #91 is exhibited in the Museum's Flagler Kenan Pavilion. Built in 1886 for Flagler's personal use, the railcar was acquired by the Museum in 1959 as an artifact of Florida history and an important part of Flagler's story. Much research was done to restore Railcar #91 to its appearance during Flagler's day. The interior and exterior of Railcar No. 91 car have been restored to the original 1912 appearance, when Flagler traveled by this railcar along the Oversea Railroad to celebrate this phenomenal engineering feat and the completion of the FEC Railway from St. Augustine to Key West."---www.flaglermuseum.us

photo from the Whitehall website

*all photos are from personal archives, unless noted*

Part 2 coming up on Whitehall Interiors

The Breakers Palm Beach Historic Tour

Yesterday, one of my dear Twitter friends in the antique business, asked what museums I would like to recommend while visiting Palm Beach County. I've spent a good bit of time there visiting family over the years. Last December, part of my birthday surprise was a two night treat at the wonderful resort. This explains why some photos still have holiday decor on them. 

Mr. James Agustine Ponce  is a Palm Beach living legend. 

Almost 93, there is no one like the eminent historian,
who can regale you with tales of the gilded age. 

Your itinerary must essentially include the hour long historic tour of The Breakers. 

Schultze & Weaver Architects were trained in the Beaux Arts method which encouraged the utilization of historic monuments to embellish new buildings. They also designed The Pierre, Sherry-Netherland, The Park Lane Hotel, Waldorf Astoria and were inspired by rooms, palaces and gardens of the Italian Renaissance. Built by 1200 workers, the groundbreaking to checking in the first guest only took 11 months and 14 days.

The Lobby's cross-vaulted ceiling is patterned after the Great Hall at the Palazzo Carega in Genoa. Travertine columns line the 200 ft. hallway. All ceilings were handpainted by the 73 artists flown in from Italy. 

The Circle with Palladian windows was erected in 1928. It currently functions as the Breakfast Room. The Sunday brunch is a must but requires a hefty appetite. The ceiling was after the manner of Palazzo Davanzati in Florence, an architectural icon that symbolized the emergence of mercantile leadership during the Florentine Renaissance. Wealthy Americans in the gilded age saw Florentine princes in the Medici, Strozzi, Pazzi era as role models for cultural leadership during the industrial age. Below is the exact reproduction of the carpet design.

The Tapestry Bar with 15th century Flemish tapestries is my favorite indoor area. It's the perfect place to start with cocktails then segue to dinner where you can order from any of the restaurant outlets in the property.  If the piano man isn't playing, ambient groove music fills the air.

Adjacent to the bar is L'Escalier , the French Restaurant

I loved the pops of silk lighting that reminded me of sea anemones 

but I didn't care much for the overall decor. 

The Versace Medusa Ikarus tableware by Rosenthal 

was rather expected and complemented the room.

These special nooks above the room were reserved for patrons 

who couldn't resist their libations during Prohibition.

Constant restoration of the hotel keeps it in tiptop condition.

The Venetian chandeliers were manufactured in 1926. 

When they wanted to add lighting, they were able to find the original manufacturer.

Parlor Space

the new chandelier based on the 1926 design

The Mediterranean Ballroom in its kitschy frescoed glory.

These ballrooms are practically booked for weddings every Saturday.

I loved this interesting and decadent painting from 1886.

photo taken from here where you can read more about the hotel

The Gold Room is a duplicate of the Grand Canal gallery in Venice.

The four sides of the ceiling are lined with portraits of people
who had a hand in discovering America.

the ceiling details of the Veranda

perfect for a siesta, tea, and a book 

the pavilion by the beach club where we did yoga

Mr. Ponce ended the tour by saying that 

"tiaras and jewelry came out on Saturdays and holidays 

and there was no fake stone in sight"

doing his Worth Ave tour, photo from NYSD 

*photos are from personal archives, unless noted*