by Jamie on January 1, 2010
Library at the Winthrop Estate
On every weekend the estate is used, whether it’s a destination wedding, a family vacation, a retreat or a concert, people find their way to the Library, which is just off the foyer, to play board games, read by the fire, or enjoy a conversation. Sometimes they listen to the tube-amplified MacIntosh radio with AudioResearch amps on AudioPhysic speakers, sitting in the soft leather chairs and sometimes they just watch their child enjoy himself. Photo by Konrad Brattke
by Jamie on December 10, 2009
Flowers for a special birthday, Winter in Lenox. Flowers by Crocus Hale
This arrangement was done by the Winthrop Estate florist, Crocus Hale, a wonderful woman who has an elegant style that is graceful and balanced. She has experience being an event coordinator and designer as well, and has been a part of hundreds of gorgeous weddings. She always brings bouquets to the bedrooms that are lovely, seasonal and inspired.
by Jamie on November 25, 2009
Foyer, ready for chocolate tasting cocktail party
The foyer can hold over 100 people for a cocktail party inside. One of the most memorable cocktail services here was a Chocolate Tasting that the estate hosted one winter. Guests mingled mostly in the foyer, where silver trays of chocolates from four specialty chocolate houses were passed with paired dessert drinks of Port and Pinot Noir. My favorite chocolate was from La Maison du Chocolate, it was a small piece with a bit of salt on top. At the end of the tasting, a vote was taken on the best chocolates. The votes were split almost evenly. I also remember the florist submerged large red roses in glass spherical vases mostly full with water and tiny air bubbles clung to the petals under water and reflected the candle light beautifully. This picture of the foyer was taken from the dining room door.
by Jamie on November 6, 2009
The French Bedroom
French Bedroom. This is the largest bedroom after the Master Bedroom. The walls are upholstered with eggshell blue silk and the half tester and drapes are embroidered silk. The main windows look to the South, out to the Great Lawn. On the old bell system, this room is labeled as the Daughter’s Room. It has two closets on the West side of the room and one set of shelves in a closet near the door. Behind the door is another closet with a set of shelves that almost no one notices. It also has a narrow door (about half size width-wise) that leads to the West Wing. We had a few couples who stayed at the Estate and chose to stay in this room over the Master Bedroom. It’s a romantic room. Which room would you choose to stay in? Photo by Scott Barrow.
by Jamie on October 29, 2009
Winthrop Estate Foyer, ready for the party
This foyer picture looks South, through the French doors to the verandah and Great Lawn. This room stays quite cool in the summer, and was lovely on hot days even before we added the a/c. The building is mostly a stone façade on the first floor, and this room does not get much passive solar hear and it is the coolest place in the whole house. I remember hanging out with friends in the foyer the first year we were at the estate, before we did any restoration, one summer evening marveling at the heat outside. Now the estate is fully air-conditioned and we revealed the wood floor you see here a few years ago. This space is very popular for mingling and socializing. It’s ready for you. Photo by Konrad Brattke
by Jamie on October 26, 2009
Relax and soak up the view
This picture was taken by our caretaker, Chris. I can understand why he likes to be outside so much. The chairs are placed near the crest of the hill. Almost every day, guests enjoy some time on these chairs, whether it’s for a drink, reading time, talking, writing or even napping.
by Jamie on October 22, 2009
Verandah with Mist, early morning
This picture was taken in 2004 and continues to evoke the morning magic of being at a country estate. When you see the mist rising from the ground in the morning, and rising up from the valley to the west, you can hear many birds singing.
by Jamie on October 16, 2009
Early morning, sunrise balloon flight, Berkshire Fall Foliage
One morning just after sunrise, I happened to be outside, walking to the mansion on my way to start set up for breakfast. I walked near the tent to check that everything was ready for the catering crew to set up for the reception dinner for our wedding that afternoon. It was a nice surprise to see this colorful, quiet hot-air balloon drifting over the tree tops. The light breeze took it just over the mansion, so of course, I tried to shot as many pictures as I could with my phone which is often in my pocket. During the summer and fall, many visitors enjoy a ride in a hot air balloon, this one was flown by Worthington Balloon. What a beautiful, almost magical way to see the Berkshire hills.
by Jamie on October 13, 2009
The Three Muses, our fountain, in Autumn
This picture of the fountain of the Three Muses, made of marble from Baci, Italy, was taken in the fall when the Copper Beech Tree just to the east of the fountain was a rich burgundy. The trunk of the Copper Beech is probably more than four feet in diameter. The area under the branches is covered by a soft mossy green covering and the roots poke thorough in a few places and leaves can grow off them right near the ground. A few of the roots hold water after a rainstorm and I have seen birds bathing there.
by Jamie on October 9, 2009
View from the West
This photo was taken from the lower portion of the Great Lawn where we added some new grass last season. It’s about an eighth of a mile from the edge of the lawn to the verandah. Some black berry bushes are still pushing up through the grass despite the fact that it’s been more than a season since any grew here, where the photographer stands. The sky is not enhanced in this picture though it looks like it’s been colorized. This was taken one September afternoon.
