The Bream Bedroom

Setting the tone to this decidedly French and luxuriously inviting room is a Louise XV-style chaise long with cabriole legs in old white paint and a Louise XV-style Bergere with a curved arched padded back, molded frame and cabriole legs. To the left of the bed is a French tulip wood bijouterie cabinet with a marquetry decorated lift top opening to a mirrored interior, c. 1880, and to the right is a French fruitwood one drawer stand with cabriole legs, c. 1870.  A gilt and white paint convex mirror hangs over the fireplace.  A salmon lobed vase decorated with white figures is mounted as a tabletop lamp.  Hanging over the desk is an 18^th Century carved figural plaque of a sea creature with a later clipped corner frame faux painted in a complementary manner.  There is a mid 19^th Century bronze bas  relief roundel of a woman in profile in a gilt frame and  a pair of 19^th Century French prints in rectangular frames which give the room depth and a sense of collected artifacts.

Ethelwynde Bedroom

Spring fresh colors highlight this wonderful room with views out to the Great Lawn.

A grand late 19^th Century post humous  portrait of Sarah Oakley Vander Poel in an elaborate laurel leaf and ribbon gilt frame hangs over the fireplace.   A Beidermeier secretaire with ivory escutcheons and pulls as well as a Beidermeir sleigh bed, both c. 1840 decorate the room.  There is a 19^th Century print with reverse painting on glass matt in an octagonal frame above the secretaire.  On either side of the bed is a group of four19^th Century engravings from “The Cries of London” series.  Small pieces like the Beidermeier fruitwood stool with cabriole legs and needlepoint cover, a 19^th Century mahogany French gaming table with satinwood inlay and a 19^th Century Charles X candlestick with incised decoration all add to the charming appeal of this quiet retreat.  Underfoot is a Portugese needlepoint carpet of neoclassical design with a laurel leaf pattern surrounding floral medallions.

TEDxBerkshiresWomen2011

TED…..ideas worth spreading.  We agree.  The TED conferences have gained worldwide recognition as a venue for the most innovative, brave, inspired, out of the box thinkers of our time, sharing ideas that they think will change the way we live with one another and the world.

Last week the Winthrop Estate hosted a TEDxWomen live simulcast.  We invited 60 of the Berkshires most dynamic women to come and watch TED presentations in our music room.  The energy was palpable. Barbara Streisand spoke passionately about the need for more research money to find a cure for women’s heart disease; Tan Le shared a triumphant personal story of overcoming obstacles as a young minority immigrant; Lamis Zein awed us with her bravery (she works to demolish cluster submunitions in Lebanon, her homeland).

Everyone had a great time.  The food was excellent and the company stimulating.  This was our second annual TedxWomen event and we look forward to our next.  We are now in the planning stages of a May TEDxBerkshires conference.

Stay tuned for more ideas worth sharing!  www.TEDxBerkshires.com

This past week I had a couple of free hours, so I went to the woods.  Kennedy park is a go to place where nature can inspire and renew the mind, right here in our backyard.   It’s so accessible to us here at Winthrop Estate; just a quarter mile down the street is the trail -head.  As I got further into the park along the Wheeler Olympic Trail, I rediscovered a gazebo I hadn’t visited in years.  It sits at the top of the park with a view of Mt. Graylock.  The mountain is the highest peak in Massachusetts, at 3,491 feet. Visitors to the Berkshires do not want to miss an opportunity to visit Mt. Greylock State Reservation.  http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock.  With 70 miles of trails, and historic Bascom Lodge serving meal from late May until mid October, as well as stunning views, an adventure on Greylock is a memorable event. From Lenox, it takes a little less than an hour to get to the top of the mountain.  Going there is a wonderful way to experience the expansive beauty of the Berkshires.

Knitting Basket in the Library

Recently one of our guests discovered the knitting basket in the library of Winthrop Estate.  Sitting in one of the cozy leather chairs she experienced the joy of busy hands – quiet mind.  She left us a lovely bit of what might be a scarf.  Of course we pride ourselves on our luxury accommodations, fine antiques, and delicious food, but it’s also these little things we have to offer that we hope will bring you joy and a feeling of serenity during your stay with us.

Avid knitters will want to visit the designer yarn shop in the village of Lenox.  Colorful Stitches is a wonderful boutique – a delight to the senses.  They have “yarn bombed” the entire front porch of the store, the whole thing looks like it’s wearing a colorful sweater.  Go there for yarn, patterns and classes and get inspired!

This autumn we built a sandbox under the shady maples for kids to play in while they visit the Mansion on family vacation.  It’s been quite a hit.  The kids usually discover the sandbox before their parents have even finished unloading the car.   Fresh air, imaginary play, and sunshine mixed with a good dose of sand and laughter can be just the ticket for hours of fun.

Red Leaf Lettuce in our garden

We are committed to local, fresh food here at Winthrop Estate.  So committed, in fact, that three years ago we put in a large organic garden on the 40 acre grounds.  Surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire hills we grow about 30 different varieties of garden vegetables from green beans, summer and winter squashes, kale, swiss chard, and many varieties of lettuce along with herbs and flowers.  Our kids help run a CSA (community supported agriculture) for our neighborhood and local restaurants.  When you bring your kids for a family vacation, they can pick the salad for your lunch!

Master Bedroom, photo by John Seakwood

Anchored by a “palace-size” Oushak Peshawar carpet, c. 1990, this grand room features a Georgian style sofa with loose down cushions in a pistachio green woven fabric at the foot of the bed. There is a pair of Biedermeier fruitwood open armchairs for the first quarter of the 19^th Century. Early 20^th C. floral watercolors in shades of pink add a feminine touch. A group of early 20^th Century English prints depicting the Four Seasons hang on either side of the fireplace. We just added a handsome Biedermeier day bed from the first quarter of the 19^th Century adds the perfect spot for the afternoon nap.

Please enjoy this short video of a summer wedding celebration that took place last year at the Winthrop Estate.