First Floor Powder Room
Passing the pantry from the kitchen, you enter a hallway. If you turned left it would extend along the stairway to the main central hallway. To the left is a half-bath. This can also be reached through the front hallway passing the stairway towards the west wing.
Small hallway from the kitchen
Originally this room was half the size and located directly across from the storage area which is now our pantry. The other half was a closet with door to the hallway. Over the years it was enlarged (removing the closet) and the closet doorway became the entrance.
There was never a lock on the door to the Powder Room. The rule is if the door is closed that it is occupied. A door knocker assures privacy ... or a sudden jolt as someone is playing games!
Door to Powder Room
At one time someone had installed an external round redwood hot tub outside and the tile steps in this half-bath was the access way through the window. Out came the hot tub and the exterior plumbing but the steps remained inside this room. It currently provides an area for a small greenhouse. The walls were plastered and the woodwork painted. The walls and ceiling were wallpapered in the same wallpaper.
You will note that the handle on the water closet is on the left instead of the right to avoid conflict with the wall on the right.
The venitian blinds are adjusted so you can see out to the back entrance area and Carriage House but no one can see inside. The window opens by sliding to the side which gave access to the hot tub when it was there.
Ivy climbs a brass pole that was used as a handrail.
Delicate blue wallpaper.
The water closet and sink.
The area over the water closet and sink area
with three lilly light fixture.
This room always gets ohs and ahs from visitors as the bright blue/purple tile and the steps, originally created to go to the old hot tub, now hold houseplants and an unexpected welcome to guests.
Gentlemen's Smoking Room
As us ladies gossip in the Living Room, the gentlemen can retire to the smoking room for a cigar by the fireside.