Part III: The Dining Room

I think that I have saved the best for (next to) last! It’s the dining room of the house. It’s so easy to imagine having a beautiful dinner there… we meant to do that, but it was just easier to sit in the kitchen, talking and cooking and watching the dogs alternately ignore and then play with each other. The table in the kitchen is a perfect size and the chairs are comfortable, so the kitchen it was! Like the library, the dining room has a beautiful set of French doors, shuttered on the outside to keep the sun out, and a long window facing what’s now the dog run. It was a cool and serene room, highlighted by a stunning chandelier that has not been electrified over the years, several family portraits and a fireplace.

As with the other rooms in the house, it’s the details that make it so incredible. There is a pair of sconces, matching those in the hallway, with hand-etched globes that have survived the years. The French-polished dining table has stunning sterling candelabras and a silver tray holds some porcelain items. The green fire-screens on the side of the fireplace compliment the claret-coloured curtains. The 1930’s portrait on one end of the room perfectly balances the large ormolu mirror at the other end. My favourite item isn’t front and center, it’s tucked next to the fireplace, being very unassuming, but holding its own against the larger portraits. It’s a small oil painting of one of A’s great aunts, painted by Cecil Beaton. It is one of only seven known oils by Beaton and exudes an air of mystery from its sitter.
I think that this is one of the most gracious and serene rooms I’ve ever had the pleasure to spend time in. As I look back over my pictures, and I took more than 200, it will be my memories of this room and this weekend that are the most precious to me.
Last post: some of my favourite shots, and little details.