Carolands

Designed by the celebrated French architect Ernest Sanson for Harriet Pullman Carolan, heiress to the Pullman railroad car fortune, Carolands is among the grandest of American residences. With over 65,000 square feet, the 100-plus room mansion was built between 1912 and 1916 for an astounding 3 million. San Francisco architect Willis Polk executed Sanson's plans, as well as the landscaping for the extensive gardens and surrounding park, from the original design by Achille Duchene. THE CAROLANDS includes plans and drawings by Sanson, Polk, and Duchene, a discussion of its place among the great houses of the day-Harbor Hill, Lynnewood, Biltmore, Vizcaya, and the Perry Belmost house-the building methods used, photographs of the interiors as Pullman Carolan completed them, and an extensive color portfolio of the house today. Carolands has been meticulously restored by the current owners and decorated by famed New York interior designer Mario Buatta. It has been designated a National Historic Site.… (more)