Doesn't that just make your heart flutter? It was soooo much better in person too. The two tours we did took us all over the grounds and through all of the bedrooms in the main house. I even got to see the newly installed mom's room thanks to Quinn.
If you read about my favorite room over here then you've already seen it, but this one took a close second. The bed was on a raised loft type platform that overlooked the sitting room and sat directly above the bathroom. It had the cutest and tightest spiral staircase. What's that you say... no closet?!? Nope, at least not in the bedroom. The closets were all located out in the hallway. That way the housekeepers could press your clothes for you without ever disturbing your beauty rest. Lovely, eh?
Each bathroom we saw was decked out with authentic 1920/1930's apparel. You have no idea how hard it was to not reach out and take one of those stunning dresses home with me. They were simply stunning!
All of the knickknacks and decor throughout the house were left the way that William R. Hearst last saw them. This reminds me of a funny happening...
We had just started our more detailed tour and were walking a part of the grounds that we hadn't explored yet. There were a few seemingly random canons on the upper terrace. My sister asked the tour guide what the canons were for. Only she asked it like this: "So... what are the canons for? Encase he got invaded by pirates?" LOL! Everyone on the tour was cracking up. This was when we were informed that everything was left just the way it was when W.R. Hearst last came to his 'vacation' home.
These were a few fun shots of Eric and me in the castle. Me in my favorite room and Eric in the one and only doorway that he actually fit through. :)
It was a very humbling experience to be in a place of such richness. Rich in history and belongings. W.R. Hearst was a collector of many things; Fireplaces, Antique ceilings, people. And he had no qualms with spending a pretty penny to get it 'just right'. The floor of the indoor pool in the first set of photos is actually glass covered gold. It was a little sickening to see the frivolous spending that was done, but I guess when you're that rich you don't really think about the money.
Kelly
Photos by Christy Warnick
