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Powder Room: The furniture is French and
the mirror paintings are replicas of those on the walls of Marie
Antoinette's boudoir at her palace in France. The paintings were
done by Prof. Pompeo Coccia who came at the Penn's request from
Rome, Italy and spent several months completing work in this
room and in the Breakfast room. The light fixture is French in
the chinoisere (Chinese) style.
Dining Room: The walls and ceiling are
whitewashed Swedish pine. The grape clusters on the ceiling were
hand carved. The oil painting over the fireplace is of Betsy
Penn. The mahogany table is Duncan Phyfe style and the chairs
are of the Adam Period (1760-1792). The English Regency style
breakfront and sideboard are rosewood and mahogany. Statuettes
in the breakfront are Capo-di Monte porcelain. Plates on each
side are Chinese. Plates in the middle are English. The urns on
either side of the French doors are Dutch, circa 1750.
Solarium Hall: The door frames at either
end of the hallway are carved walnut of the Italian Renaissance
period. The console tables, flower fonts and floor lamp bases
are of sculptured Carrara marble. The flower fonts are 16th
century. The two 15th century Chinese frescos are
three-dimensional and made of ivory and leather on a black
velvet background. On the console table is a cast iron head of
Buddha made in China. The 16th century Spanish powder horn is
made from the shoulder bone of an animal and is intricately
etched. The 13th century East Indian marble relief depicts the
birth, life and death of Buddha.
Mud Room: The Penn's came into this room
after horseback riding (muddy boots could not harm stone
floors). Also cocktails were usually served to guests in here
before dinner. The painting of the bull over fireplace is from
Athens, Greece. The sofa is made out of part of a cart bought in
Sicily. A carved Swedish chest was cut to fit the front of the
bar. On the wall is a collection of 16th and 17th century
Spanish spurs and bits. The center table made of Yew wood is
17th century Dutch as is the applique copper milk can. The
English cockfight chair is 18th century. The two large brass
storage vessels are Chinese and Indian. The animal skin in the
corner, the drum and the spear over the door are African. |
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Entry: This space was built to display the Mosaic of
Moses that was inherited by Betsy Penn. The carved front
doors are from Venice, Italy.
Main Living Room: According to Betsy
Penn the room started out to be "a Spanish room" but as
their collection grew the 55' by 35' room became
representative of many countries. The columns at the
entrance are sculptured Italian stone of the Renaissance
period and the canopy is set with antique Spanish tiles that
tell the story of Don Quixote - one of Jeff Penn's
favorite's. The wood panels covering the lower part of the
walls is pecky cypress from Florida. The 17th century.
tapestry of Moses receiving the Ten Comrnandments was woven
in Beauvais, France. The overhead light fixtures are Chinese
temple lanterns. The painting on the ceiling beams was done
by a Scandinavian artist.
Breakfast Room: The room is
Italian/Pompeii in style. The walls and ceiling were painted
by Professor Pompeo Coccia from Rome, Italy (note wall where
he signed his work). The painted ceiling figures represent
the four seasons. The floor is a marble mosaic. The mahogany
table is Chippendale style and the chairs are Louis XVI
(1774-1793). The candelabra and tureen are Dresden
porcelain. Gilded wood panther heads are believed to be of
African origin. Wall sconce face figures represent Bacchus,
"Greek God of Wine" The massive Lighting fixture in the
ceiling is covered by leaded glass and is now florescent but
originally was not. Notice light and views provided by the
walI of bay windows.
Master Bedroom: The furniture is
Italian and French. The molded, carved gilt wood floor
screen, console table and large mirror are all Florentine,
17th century. The arm chair is Louis XV (1715-1774) and the
wing back chair is Louis XVI (1774-1793). The statuettes on
the mantle are Italian 18th century, French. On the far wall
are two Japanese scroll watercolors. Fur throw on bed is
vicuna. The ornately carved bed, quite large for the Penn's
time, was not an antique when the Penn's purchased it from a
friend but was made in Italy.
Staircase:
The wrought iron staircase railing contains the JBP monogram
and chinquapin leaves. Mounted on the oak paneling above the
staircase is a 17th century Flemish tapestry.
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