(This post The Mount Drawing Room and Dining Room has been edited and updated in 2022)
Since I started this series of posts on The Mount, I’ve been so excited to share the photos of the Drawing Room and Dining Room, which were decorated in 2002 by Charlotte Moss and Bunny Williams, respectively. These are the only fully decorated rooms in the house currently (in 200) and while it’s wonderful to be able to focus on the walls, floors and ceilings of the empty rooms (and this house does NOT disappoint in that regard!) it’s also fun to see fully decorated rooms. And making it even more of a treat is to be able to see Charlotte and Bunny’s work in person.
Here is the Living room (aka Drawing Room) as decorated by Charlotte Moss. Well, first let me say that I nearly swooned. And I rarely say things like that! Second, let me say how sad I am that my photographs of this room are not better. It’s a relatively dark room, with windows only the back, which look out on the veranda, under a large awning. So, natural light being limited, my photos are a little grainy and do not do the room justice! First off, what can one say about that ceiling? Like God’s own wedding cake. Consistent with EW’s views that decorative detail match the room – the drawing room is the most formal, largest and the only room that boasts an elaborate treatment on the ceiling. The floor is terrazzo, under a rug, which was likely an Aubusson from France.
Here is an image showing the condition of the plasterwork before the restoration began, plus how the roses look now.
This room is so warm and inviting – I just wanted to have a seat and take it all in. That sofa looked so comfy! But, I figured all manner of bells and whistles would go off, so I just looked longingly…
The original tapestries (Brussels, 1710) were auctioned off in 1935. They have been recreated for the home.
Charlotte Moss has donated the furnishings to the Edith Wharton Organization.
Moving along, we are now in the dining room – as decorated by Bunny Williams. This room, being on the corner, benefited from a much brighter light and was much easier to photograph! What I love about Bunny’s design were the contemporary touches of modern art and a hand painted sisal carpet. She is quoted in the program book saying “Edith was a modern lady who never lost her traditional roots”.
Here is a photo of EW’s own decor circa 1905. Bunny certainly took her cues from Edith’s work here. Look closely under the table and you will see the cushion on the floor for EW’s beloved dog. Bunny includes a cushion by the table (top pic) in homage.
A closeup of the table. Note the name on the place tag.
I just adored this mirror!
The plaster work, designed by Ogden Codman, was in the style of Grinling Gibbons, an 17th century English wood carver. The ornamentation in the room includes fish, birds and nuts – fitting for a dining room.
Simple, elegant and unfussy – these window treatments are extraordinary!
I don’t know for sure, but my guess is that Bunny also donated the room decor to The Mount as well, as it’s been there since 2002.
The Main Floor includes a Buter’s Pantry, brush room for cleaning shoes and outerwear and offices for household management. Appropriately, the Butler’s Pantry is adjacent to the Dining Room and would have contained the china, silver and linens and been the staging area for serving meals. I assume there must have been a dumbwaiter to bring up the food from the kitchen, but I didn’t see it. The two photo’s below are how the Pantry looks at this time.
The marble counters and center island are, in fact, quite contemporary looking. I didn’t know much about this room, until…

I saw this postcard in the bookstore and realized that the Butler’s Pantry had been fully stocked and staged at some point. This decorating was done by Susanna Stratton-Norris and Sheila Chefetz.
If you enjoyed The Mount Drawing Room, Dining Room and Butler’s Pantry, please also enjoy:
The Mount Entrance and Gallery
The Mount Bedroom, Boudoir and Bath

OH MY WORD! That was fabulous!
So pretty! The Charlotte Moss room is beautiful but that dining room?… how much do we love Bunny Williams?! She put a cushion down for a long-gone doggie and invited Mr Hadley to dinner! Even empty, that's a beautiful room but Bunny's decor really brings it to life. Thanks, Linda!
Linda,
Charlotte's room is pretty but Bunny's room is spectacular! I adore it! Plasterwork is a dying art. The restoration of ceilings and walls is what I admire so much. They are beautiful and the artisans who recreated them should be commended on their workmanship.
xx-Gina
Linda,
I have so enjoyed this story! What a wonderful job you have done & the time you have taken is so appreciated & to be admired by all of the blogging community.
The plaster work is some of the prettiest I have ever seen. Your photos are wonderful, thanks for the close-ups of the details & the floor plan is very helpful!
XO lisa
Your photographs are wonderful Linda. I am 'so' enjoying this series of posts. I hope to one day visit this home so I can steal that mirror.
Linda, this so extraordinary! And done by two of my favorites to boot. Can you imagine being so successful you could donate such things to charity? Wow.
Hard to pick a favorite – it might have to be Charlotte's room. But I like Bunny's curtains! Charlotte's room looks so different than the few pictures I have seen of it before. it looks so much prettier here. love those tapestries.
they are both fabulous rooms.
it is nice to hear of restoration….especially done so well.
x
Just more proof that I need to get up there PRONTO!
GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for all this FABness!!!
Fabulous interior designs. Love those photos.