Built by Willis Polk between 1915 - 1917 for one of the wealthiest gold mine owners in California, Filoli House, sits amidst 654 acres of country land near the town of Woodside CA, in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a majestic home fit for fine living.
Earlier this Summer, I took a trip to visit Filoli house, with my 13 year old daughter, Emma. We had a great day enjoying this amazing property and it's surrounding 16 acres of formal gardens. If you are in the area, I highly recommend the trip as it is quite an experience.
I love going to historic estates. They are often reminiscent of times gone by and a little capsule into our past. Not to mention, places like this are very Grand and not something one gets to see, very often, in the course of one's every day life.
Here you see the resplendent Ballroom with mint colored walls, gold detailing with french doors leading out to the front garden. Below, you will see me standing against the wall, in the ballroom with a wall mural painted behind, that reflects the surrounding property. The Ballroom also boasts another mural above this enormous fireplace with a carved mantel. Between the Ballroom and the Study, you walk past a powder room and through a trophy room. Not your ordinary hallway.
Here I am in the Ballroom, wearing a dress I made from a vintage 1930's pattern. Don't I fit right in?
This is the trophy room.
Filoli House does not disappoint. It was bequeathed in it's entirety to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in 1975. The rooms are beautifully appointed with pieces from the 17th & 18th centuries alongside more modern furnishings. Everything is immaculate and kept in pristine condition.
I could really just live here. This home is decorated to my taste for sure. The Study (above) has wood paneled walls, sumptuous Persian rugs, family portraits and remains lit intimately for a warm and inviting feel.
There is an Asian influence in this large reception room and it's presence flows inobtrusively throughout the home.
There are flower arrangements everywhere and it appears they have been designed, using flowers from the property. Shielding Kitchen no. #1 from view, is a needlepoint screen. From the photo it's hard to tell that it's not just painted, but up close, you can see the even needlework.
There are THREE kitchens in this house. I imagine one is for cooking, one is for baking and the other, much smaller, is for cleaning up. Wow! There is even a silver safe in Kitchen no.1, and you can see my lovely daughter inside, taking a look.
Only the lower rooms are available for viewing. As one walks down the hallway on their way out and to the ladies or the gentleman's cloak room there is a very long enameled Chinese screen hanging on the wall. The scene is lovely and peaceful and a fitting way to exit this home.
I hope you've found this as inspiring as I did, going and I encourage a little excursion in your area. Please let me know of any historic homes to visit in your area or mine.
Until next time, happy sewing (and travels)!
Jennifer
