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Blithewold (meaning happy woodland) was built in 1909… originally as a summer home (of 45 rooms) and while not nearly as grand the famous Newport cottages…

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It was still quite lovely.

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The entrance hall was bright and sun filled.

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The dining room a good bit darker. Sadly most of the original furniture is gone, and the replacement table doesn’t quite fill the space.

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The butler’s pantry.

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With a funky arrow board pointing out where “servant needed”.

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The family loved their gardens and most of the china patterns reflect this.

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The daughters.

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And the naughty butler.

The kitchen was cordoned off the day we visited as it was being used to cater a wedding on the grounds that evening.

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The breakfast room also served as an indoor patio with large windows and doors that opened the house to cool breezes off the bay.

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Floral tile and pinecone lighting. These people loved their plants.

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A pillared hallway led to the billiard room.

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And the telephone room with hand painted wallpaper.

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The living room had a few scattered pieces of furniture …

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Including this rather ugly throne.

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About to head upstairs, we noted the hanging cherub lights.

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And I don’t know about you…

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But to me it looks like the little gold plated darling wants to bash someone on the head.

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Run!

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