Elm Court’s Library and Architectural Detailing

Clip Summary

Bob meets with Sonya and Bob Berle in the library of Elm Court to discuss the interior design and preservation of this magnificent example of turn-of-the-century design and opulence.

Many of the home's themes draw from other Vanderbilt residences. For example, the colors of the painted wood walls in the library are from a blue in an antique oriental rug. The rug originated in the parlor of the Vanderbilt mansion on New York City's Fifth Avenue (which is now the Bergdorf Goodman department store).

Part of the charm of Elm Court is in its rustic appeal, including the real grizzly bear rug in front of the fireplace and the terrific vista from the conservatory overlooking the lake called Stockbridge Bowl.