The Winthrop Estate – Weddings in the Berkshires
Fun in the Snow, a winter family vacation smile
What fun kids can have in the snow! Dress them up, and send them outside. At the Winthrop Estate, they can step onto the back lawn and tumble, build, sled, chase eachother, throw snowballs, make snow angels and more. An hour later, then will return, unwrap their wet layers, and collapse by the blazing fire with hot chocolate and cookies. Ah… a family winter vacation in the Berkshires at the Winthrop Estate.
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The Library at the Winthrop Estate, Lenox
The Library is one of my favorite rooms at the Winthrop Estate. I love to be surrounded by books, and the craftsmanship and quality of the woodwork on the library bookshelves and paneling makes the room feel cozy and luxurious at the same time. Add to that a large crackling fire and some big, white snowflakes drifting down outside the bay window, some music on the stereo system (AudioPhysic and AudioResearch components), and a good book, and I am in heaven.
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This is our new Monogram. W.E. for the Winthrop Estate. This was designed by Pier Gustafson, a very talented calligrapher. It is to reflect the romance, elegance and beauty of the estate.
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The Christmas Tree at the Winthrop Estate
The whole family, all 24 of them, gathered in Lenox at the Winthrop Estate a few days before Christmas. They brought bags of gifts for the kids and home-made cookies to share. They made the estate their home for the holiday. They sang Christmas carols, they enjoyed meals (that they didn’t have to cook or clean up after, as the estate took care of that), they stayed up late talking after the little ones went to bed upstairs. The kids went sledding on the great lawn, and got dizzy on the tree swing, then came in for hot chocolate. Most everyone enjoyed an afternoon nap, whether it was in their beds or a leather chair by the fire in the library after reading a book. The Winthrop Estate is a magical place for families to enjoy each other over the holidays.
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Silk Dining Room Curtains
The silk curtains in the dining room were chosen and installed by the current owners a few years ago. The color picks up the red-orange-rust color of the dining room walls, which have the original paint, a faux finish style that was popular in the 1920s. The current owners have redecorated many of the rooms, adding full length curtains, antiques, oriental rugs and in some bedrooms, upholstered walls. The decor reflects the style and elegance of the mansion architecture and many guests comment on how the rooms look like they were meant to be as they are. Often people don’t notice the exquisite details of the mansion until the take a tour. Photo by Ticky Kennedy.
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Dining Room, set for a reception dinner, wedding weekend
The Dining Room is set here for a reception dinner. Guests were enjoying the cocktail hour when we took this picture. This room can hold 4 tables of 8 people each at the most. These table centerpieces were created by the estate florist, Crocus Hale. The table settings, linens and chairs were rented from Classical Tents.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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