Pittock Mansion Christmas

Hello my friends, thanks for visiting.  Would you like to see inside the Pittock Mansion, which we showed you the outside of a while back?  The volunteers decorate it for the holidays and so yesterday my husband and I and my younger sister Denise and her husband Steve met for lunch and then off to tour this wonderful mansion.

We met for lunch at a French bakery, but it was very full so we went to Meriwether's - a really neat old place on NE Vaughn.  I had to show you my Dungeness crab salad with avocado, Greek olives, mixed fresh greens and shaved fennel.  They served fresh baked focaccia bread.  Yum!

After lunch we drove on 25th through old city neighborhoods to Burnside where we headed up the hill to get to the mansion. It was magical as when we were walking up to the entrance under the porte cochere it began to snow!  We figured out that it was actually windblown frozen frost off the trees.. but never mind.. it was still cool.

Here is a portrait of Henry Pittock (click on his name for his history).

Here is Georgiana whom Henry married when she was 15!  Her history is also in the link above.

As you enter the home the first room on the left is the library, which is my favorite of all.  I loved the carved mantel.

I also love the expansive curving marble stairway with carved railings.  

A view of the library from the other side.  :-)

The next room is the music room with a big curving wall and two big crystal chandeliers.  Can you envision relaxing here after a meal prepared and served to you, listening to family members play music for your enjoyment?

How I wanted to sneak around the velvet ropes and see how the piano sounded.  :-)

Between the large rooms were these neat little vestibules with French doors to the beautiful yard and view.  This tree was decorated with natural elements, such a small antler pieces and pine cones.  This one was used as a smoking room, the other one was used as a small office.

Next up.. the wonderful dining room.  I adore the built-in china cabinet and the fireplace.  

I was especially interested in the table setting.. it looks like oysters on the half shell was on the menu for dinner.

I *loved* the butler's pantry.  What I wouldn't give to have a house big enough and old enough to have one of these!

The sink in the butler's is wonderful.

There was a cute little tree in the pantry.

I loved the idea of decorating it with red cocktail umbrellas!

Next up was the kitchen which was decorated with a lot of red.. it was charming!  I loved the marble topped work table, perfect for making pies, cookies, bread and cakes.

Another little work table in a corner.. I could envision a kitchen maid sitting on the stool chopping vegetables and such.

Can you believe this cool big stove!  

Here is the kitchen store room, which I adored and paid special attention to the cast iron pots and pans.

Then we come to the family breakfast room where they could enjoy their meal in the morning light.  While dining they could make their lists for the day.

After making full circle of the main floor, we walked up the curved marble stairway to the second floor.  I loved the leaded glass windows and the lantern. 

I wish I knew who's bedroom this was!

This is a sleeping porch, and they have it set up as an infirmary for someone in the family who had tuberculosis.

In the next area I spied Mt. Hood out the window and zoomed in to show you why they built the house here, atop a hill.  

In Georgiana's sitting room was this wonderful vintage Singer sewing machine.

Can you imagine working on your needlepoint while you sip hot tea and nibble on biscuits/cookies?

I think this was Georgiana's bedroom, there were two children's bedrooms next to her room.  I totally loved the 4 poster bed with beautiful canopy.

One of the children's room filled with dolls.
  

From the third floor lobby I looked down the stairs to the lower level. 

In the lower level there were several posters of the different years of decorating themes.  I shared this one because of the snow.. pretty.

Then we put on our coats, hats and scarves and braved the East Wind to walk out over the grounds to the view point where I snapped this photo of Mt. Hood and downtown Portland, Oregon.  What a view they had!

Heading back towards the mansion.. one last parting shot.  Isn't it beautiful?

I turned to the left and there was this HUGE naked tree.  It's almost winter, for sure!

I must say we were chilled to the bone when we got back into our car and headed home.  The fire felt so good in our little farmhouse.  Today I am determined to finish my decorating so we can get the boxes put away and enjoy the lights and bright sparkling colors.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)