Foundation House, CT, Artist Residency Experience Part 2. Exploring the Place

Walking through the house was like exploring a mysterious and magical place in every way.  Main floor has foyer, great room, library, kitchen, and dining rooms.  You are surrounded by stone walls, exposed beams, stained glass windows, wood panels.  Upstairs there are bedrooms.  I couldn't tell how many bedrooms and bathrooms there were.  Each room had different and fascinating features: uniquely shaped light fixtures, arched windows, doors, niches, walk-in closets, wood and marble floors. 

My favorite spot was the main stair space.  The staircase squares off the space, with a chandelier hanging in the middle that looks just right.  The landing has a large window with latticework.  The ornate woodworked railings and posts are smooth to the touch, and the creaking sound as you walk down the stairs evokes the thrill of walking through a large old mansion.  The floor is stone, and a decorative wooden wall hides a secret door to the basement.

The basement is another favorite of mine.  It looked like a medieval undercroft or cave.  Many rooms were unfinished, but wooden doors had been installed in each room.  Every door made a squeaking sound.  I lost myself there several times.  At one point, I was shown the gym in the basement.  After that, I could never find it.

Foundation House, Greenwich, CT  August, 2023