While in Philadelphia a few weekends ago, I took a daytrip out to Bryn Athyn (about 20 minutes outside of the city) to see 3 amazing buildings. The first that I'll share is
Cairnwood, built by Carrere and Hastings in 1895 for the Pitcairn family. The grounds were completed by Frederick Law Olmsted although they have been significantly altered over time.
Cairnwood was the first residential project for C&H and an unusual one at that. The Pitcairn's(a wealthy industrialist family from Pittsburgh) were extremely religious and actively involved with the "New Church". Cairnwood was to be the social hub of this religous community out in the countryside.
The Pitcairn's were also an unusual family in the Gilded age in that they were a close knit family and were not socially active with other industrialist families (think New York and Newport). They actually lived and operated similarly to modern families today and the house reflects this.
While not a formal family they did of course have servants. These were usually local girls within their religious community instead of the more usual career servants, often imported from Europe. Above you see the service courtyard.
The front entry best shows the mix of styles C&H incorporated in Beaux-Arts fashion. As well as mixing rustic stonework with industrial orange brick (which always makes me think of Pittsburgh where I'm from) they also incorporated some more refined ornamentation.
Similar to large houses of today, one entered into a small vestibule with cloak and powder rooms which then opened onto a 2 story great hall, which was the main gathering space of the house.
Here is focused most of the intricate detailing one is to find throughout the house. While this was the gilded age and the right architects to do so, the house is not lavishly decorated or 'gilded'.
The barrel vaulted ceiling is stunning.
Above the doors facing the great hall were these great laurel wreaths.
The grand fireplace mantel would be at home in a French chateau.
On either side of that fireplace were doors leading into the study (marked living room on the plan). Although the house had central heating, most rooms including the bedrooms included a fireplace.
The house is now operated as a sort of wedding factory for the college which owns it, but weekly 'historic' tours are available. Because of this, current codes have to be obeyed such as exit signs. I thought the signs in this room were well dealt with unlike the one you can see in the background.
Let me veer off topic and just talk about one of my pet peeves: cheap windows! The windows, doors and associated hardware are original to the house and nearly 120 years old and see daily heavy use. They appear to be in complete working order and are beautiful details to the house. Good windows and doors may be expensive but will last forever when properly maintained. No vinyl windows EVER! They probably won't even last YOUR lifetime in your house. But I digress...
Connected to the study is the library. A number of years ago in the 90s the house sponsored a designer showhouse and the painted decorations in here date from then. While not original, I love the backs of the shelves painted blue.
The woodwork is stunning. The shelves are lined with antique books all on the "New Church".
The parlor was used by the family as a music room.
It was recently restored to the original colors from the time of building: a dusty pink and white with the mouldings picked out in gold and white.
The dining room, just down the hall, had this interesting fireplace: almost an inglenook of sorts. These are to be found throughout the house: symbolic gestures of hearth and home in a house featuring the latest technology of the day.
The smoking room still has the original exhaust vents in the crown moulding.
Alongside the great hall is the stairway, the grand gesture and focal point of the house.
The detailing here is exquisite.
The landing featured a beautiful bench seat with lion claw feet.
A small stair off the landing led to the children's nursery; They were never far from their parents. Indeed, they even shared a bathroom and had adjacent bedrooms. This was a close knit family unusual to the families' status and the time period.
The stairway leads to a mezzanine looking over the great hall which is lined with guest bedrooms.
At the end of this open hall were the family bedrooms. Mr and Mrs. Pitcairn shared a bedroom, unusual to the time, which also features a charming inglenook of sorts.
The rooms all have beautiful casing and woodwork. The transoms over the doors were probably at one time operable windows but have since been filled in.
I love the blue ceilings too.
One of the most interesting parts of any house tour is the 'behind the scenes' or service spaces. They are still intact and actually still in use at Cairnwood!
The back stair featured this lovely internal leaded light window open to the first floor hall.
As I have mentioned the family was very religious. They maintained a small chapel in the 3rd floor tower.
Oddly enough this was accessed through the service spaces and up a back stair, seen above.
The chapel itself is beautifully paneled and groin vaulted.
In the former attic playroom is a collection of family items, such as this bust of John Pitcairn.
Also in the collection are pieces of glass from the formation of PPG, of which Pitcairn was a founding partner.
I urge you to visit
Cairnwood to see an unusual gilded age home as well as 2 other amazing adjacent properties which I'll be featuring here shortly!
On either side of that fireplace were doors leading into the study (marked living room on the plan). Although the house had central heating, most rooms including the bedrooms included a fireplace.
Let me veer off topic and just talk about one of my pet peeves: cheap windows! The windows, doors and associated hardware are original to the house and nearly 120 years old and see daily heavy use. They appear to be in complete working order and are beautiful details to the house. Good windows and doors may be expensive but will last forever when properly maintained. No vinyl windows EVER! They probably won't even last YOUR lifetime in your house. But I digress...
The stairway leads to a mezzanine looking over the great hall which is lined with guest bedrooms. 
The back stair featured this lovely internal leaded light window open to the first floor hall.
I urge you to visit Cairnwood to see an unusual gilded age home as well as 2 other amazing adjacent properties which I'll be featuring here shortly!
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of touring Blue Ridge Farm, outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, with the 
The bulk of the structure was built in 1850 but was not the house it is today. In 1920 the architect William Bottomley was hired to renovate the house into the Neo-Georgian design you see today. 
The well known landcape architect, Charles Gillette, was brought on to design the beautiful gardens which Lilly restored and expanded. 
The back of the house features a large terrace and expansive lawn.
The original wood screen doors were found in a barn and restored; aren't they unique?
To the side of the terrace, Spencer created an informal living area for modern living, just outside of the family room.
The terrace is actually set a story above ground, so that in the past servants could get around the property without being seen presumably.
Facing the new garages, Spencer added an additional covered porch off the kitchens and family room.
Lets move in for peak inside. The view from the front terrace is what this house is all about!
The front hall goes through the house, connecting the front and rear terraces. 
The unique center column near the stair works in actuality, but as Spencer said, would look strange in a floorplan. 
Spencer added this unique plaster detail in the dining room, just off the front hall. This was a typical detail from Bottomley.
Behind the dining room is the map room, a cozy study, which opens to the rear terrace. It retains an original wood fireplace mantel and beautifully inlaid floors.
The ceiling is really stunning.
The living room flanks the dining room across the hall. It retained many of the original details which had to be restored . The homeowners have accumulated a lot of period furnishings which fit the house.
A study off the living room featured a Bottomley fireplace and beautiful paneling with the original owner's intials.
Located a few steps down from the living room is the paneled library from the Bottomley renovation. As Spencer said, the wood is basically 'junk' wood but detailed so beautifully that it could rival any finer species of wood paneling.
I loved the detail at the window jamb, which allows blinds or shutters to fit down these reveals.
Located a few more steps down from the library is the garden room.
Spencer added these decorative grilles to hide the needed heating and AC ducts.
The garden room naturally opens into the expansive gardens. 
Designed as a series of rooms, one comes across many little surprises such as this water garden. 
The rear lawn features 1 large stone pillar and low wall, part of an unrealized master plan? Spencer and Lilly had it restored, including the incredibly enormous stone ball.
Adjacent tothe house is the adorable guest cottage which I loved; I could move right in! 
The back of the cottage is where the kitchen gardens lay.
Off to the other side of the rear lawn is a gate to the new pool and poolhouse, designed by Spencer.
I love the regency styling here, leaving one to wonder when it was built.
This looks ideal for this hot weather we've had lately!
Further from the house was found an old ruined stone building on a picturesque pond. Spencer restored it as a fishing cottage.
What a perfect little getaway! The views of the pond are incredible. 
And of course, I wouldn't be the nerdy architect without a few little detail shots. I loved the way Spencer integrated these downspouts between an addition and the house so that they are inset and protected from the driveway.
To hide the exhaust for the range in the newly renovated kitchen, Spencer added a cute little dormer between two existing dormers. 
Many thanks to the 
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