The Breakers, an 11-acre estate on Ochre Point overlooking the ocean in Newport, Rhode Island, epitomizes the wealth and extravagance of America's Gilded Age. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt for Cornelius Vanderbilt, the grandson of
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Commodore C. Vanderbilt, the solid stone Renaissance Revival summer palace was built to replace a wooden "cottage" that burnt to the ground. Inspired by the Italian seaside palaces from Turin and Genoa, Hunt's Beaux-Arts masterpiece incorporated a roofed central courtyard and multiple outside loggias to accommodate the New England seasons.

The monumental main floor rooms were furnished by Allard and Sons of Paris in both French and Italian fashions. The more delicate, lightened 18th Century French decoration of the upper floor family bedrooms were designed by the Boston architect Ogden Codman. During the 2 year construction period, entire rooms were created in European workshops, shipped to Newport and then reassembled in the house. Hundreds of the world's finest craftspeople worked tirelessly to complete the 70-room mansion, 33 of the rooms, which were used for domestic staff.

In 1972, the Preservations Society of Newport County (P.S.N.C.) acquired the Breakers from the Vanderbilt family, Scalamandré has supported the restoration of the Newport mansions for years. Recent installations include the burgundy brocatelle and trim in the Grand Dining Room and the cut and uncut voided silk velvet and fringes of the Music Room. Currently our studio is preparing the green silk damask and fringes for the Breaker's Library, Stop by this summer to see the work in progress. From May to October visitors can tour the house and grounds, which is decorated for the holidays from November 26 through January 2, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For further information on the Preservation Society of Newport County call 401-847-1000 or visit their website at www.newportmansions.org.