The Breakers Mansion at Christmas
We were meeting some friends of ours in Newport to see one of the mansions all decorated for Christmas. My boys and I had toured the Breakers mansion before but we were excited to see our friends as well as all the beautiful Christmas decorations.
Though the Newport mansions were summer cottages for the rich and never used during the winter; 4 of them are left open through the holiday season and are all decked out. We went to see The Elms last year at this time and wanted to see another one.
The decorations did not disappoint!
The main hall is filled with poinsettias and even a poinsettia tree (which we were able to get close to later on in the tour).
There were pink poinsettias to match the tree and décor in this room
The dining room had a large fireplace and look who's peeking out!
Even the billiard room was all decked out for the holidays. I loved the lanterns of baubles lining the mantle.
Back in the main hall I had the boys pose near the poinsettia tree and then fell in love with the beaded garland hanging on the two (matching!) smaller evergreen trees.
Even though there are like 20+ fireplaces in the house they were all decorated.
There were so many trees and they were all amazing. I love that they theme each tree around the color scheme of the room.
Mr. Vanderbilt's bedroom was decked out in red and green with lots of top hats and trains. So very fitting for this multi-millionaire who made all his money with the railroads!
Mrs. Vanderbilt's room was all white and red with birds.
Each of the balcony railings is covered with lit garland and bows too; and there are a lot of them
The loge usually has large open-air spaces that face the sea; they are closed up for the winter and in that room they set up a large train set.
While I would find it impossible to pick a favorite tree, I did love this one with the large crystal icicles hanging from it.
The tour ends with the kitchen and butler's pantry and you just not believe this gingerbread house until you see it in person- it's a replica of the Breakers mansion in food form!
We also loved the candy/ food themed tree behind it.
Though the Newport mansions were summer cottages for the rich and never used during the winter; 4 of them are left open through the holiday season and are all decked out. We went to see The Elms last year at this time and wanted to see another one.
The decorations did not disappoint!
The main hall is filled with poinsettias and even a poinsettia tree (which we were able to get close to later on in the tour).
There were pink poinsettias to match the tree and décor in this room
The dining room had a large fireplace and look who's peeking out!
Even the billiard room was all decked out for the holidays. I loved the lanterns of baubles lining the mantle.
Back in the main hall I had the boys pose near the poinsettia tree and then fell in love with the beaded garland hanging on the two (matching!) smaller evergreen trees.
Even though there are like 20+ fireplaces in the house they were all decorated.
There were so many trees and they were all amazing. I love that they theme each tree around the color scheme of the room.
Mr. Vanderbilt's bedroom was decked out in red and green with lots of top hats and trains. So very fitting for this multi-millionaire who made all his money with the railroads!
Mrs. Vanderbilt's room was all white and red with birds.
Each of the balcony railings is covered with lit garland and bows too; and there are a lot of them
The loge usually has large open-air spaces that face the sea; they are closed up for the winter and in that room they set up a large train set.
While I would find it impossible to pick a favorite tree, I did love this one with the large crystal icicles hanging from it.
The tour ends with the kitchen and butler's pantry and you just not believe this gingerbread house until you see it in person- it's a replica of the Breakers mansion in food form!
We also loved the candy/ food themed tree behind it.
What an amazing tour! I love the Christmas decor. The Breakers Mansion is the type of place I love to visit when I travel. I'd love to learn more about the mansion!
ReplyDeleteIt is a self- guided audio tour and it is really rather amazing to hear all the facts about this "summer cottage" of the Vanderbilt family. It's crazy to think what they spent for a house they only use a few months out of the year.
DeleteWOW! WOW! What a gorgeous mansion. I love all of the color themed trees and the architecture of the building is amazing. Love the rooms. We live in the shadow of Biltmore the main Vanderbilt estate. It is insane to think about the money poured into these homes.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Dawn
It really is staggering... that whole lifestyle is just amazing to me.
DeleteEverything looks nice! Can you imagine living in a house like that? We'd surely have to hire a staff to help us run it, huh? Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 7. Shared.
ReplyDeleteThey had a lot of staff helping to run it for sure (and lots of hallways for them to move room to room without being seen by any guests).
DeleteWow, how gorgeous! That gingerbread house (mansion) is unreal!
ReplyDeleteWe could not get over that gingerbread mansion; we can barely get the walls to stay upright on our small, traditional gingerbread house (that we buy pre-made!). LOL.
DeleteWhat can I say? It's absolutely gorgeous and I love your photos. #MMBC
ReplyDeleteIt really is lovely-- at any time of year.
DeleteHow gorgeous! I would love to see all the fabulous trees! Especially like the poinsettia tree and the one with all the birds.
ReplyDeleteI do love seeing all the trees and how they decorate each one with just a few key ornaments/ colors.
DeleteWe have visited The Breakers before, but never when it was decorated for Christmas. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWe thought so too.
DeleteThose decorations are unbelievable. I love seeing houses all done up like this. I wish someone would come over to my house and set it up like this!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish someone would come to my house too! I picture things like this but that's now how my house or tree ends up looking...
DeleteOh wow, Joanne, what a splendid place! I think the pink room is my favorite. And I do love the white poinsettias. Thanks so much for sharing this gloriously festive place!
ReplyDeleteShelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com
It really does put me in such a festive mood. We're already planning on which one to tour next year...
DeleteWow! Thanks so much for taking us along for the tour.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!! It was my pleasure.
DeleteOh wow!!!! I need to get down there!!
ReplyDeleteYou sure do! :)
DeleteOh wow, what an amazing place to visit. It is beautiful all decorated for Christmas :) Thanks for linking up #CreativeMondays
ReplyDeleteThey do such an amazing job; this is the second mansion we've seen and we are blown away by the decorations.
DeleteWOW! What a fabulous mansion! Love the amazing photos!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is insane! I've never heard of this mansion before. Do you visit mansions as a fun family trip, or more as an educational trip (not that they are mutually exclusive)? I've never thought to visit mansions, but after seeing these pictures, I really think the kids would love it. And that poinsettia tree?! GORGEOUS! I want one now! I'm going to have to look up tutorials to make a small one.
ReplyDeleteA little bit of both for sure. We started touring them a few years ago when we were studying the Industrial Revolution and the role of the Vanderbilt's and other industry tycoons. The tours are self guided with headsets and prerecorded messages about life in that time period, what went into maintaining and building the houses, etc. so it's a great history lesson and my boys just love going.
DeleteThat makes sense, I'm curious to see if my kids would respond to it. My daughter probably would because she's four and big places with decorations are still exciting to her. But I'm curious if my son will respond to the history. That was me up there by the way, I finally made an account so now I can comment a lot easier.
DeleteLOL. I was surprised at how much my boys ended up enjoying it.
DeleteWow! What a gorgeous place! And the floral is just stunning!! So glad I stopped by from "Tuesdays with a Twist"! xo, Kristi
ReplyDeleteIsn't it beautiful?! I just love it.
DeleteThat's an amazing place. I love all the different Christmas trees. Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week.
ReplyDeleteI loved all the trees too; they're each so pretty.
DeleteI had seen the Breakers 25+ years ago in the summertime. These pictures were fantastical! I enjoyed them so much. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteWoah, this place is gorgeous. I love all the decorations. That gingerbread house is pretty amazing too.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
They really are quite something to see; it's unbelievable to hear about what their lives were like too.
Delete