Everyday Inspiration Inside The Elms

Walk through The Elms in Newport and you’ll find rooms that feel surprisingly familiar. Beyond the marble halls and gilded ceilings are kitchens, baths, and bedrooms that remind us that good design—historic or modern—always begins with proportion, craftsmanship, and comfort. These are the spaces that connect Gilded Age grandeur to everyday living.

This post continues my Newport mansion series, shifting focus from the formal ballroom and gardens, to the functional. From the kitchen’s cabinetry to the carved millwork and wallpapered bedrooms, these are the rooms where I look for inspiration daily—where design details from more than a century ago still resonate in the modern home. Maybe not modern in aesthetic, but as a kitchen and bath designer — and one who also decorates — I find the back-of-house spaces and casual rooms in these Newport mansions easily inspire ideas for today’s “normal” homes.

Design Lessons from a Two-Story Kitchen

I’ve never installed a two-story kitchen, but the time may come. It’s a fascinating concept and one that had clear advantages back in the day. At The Elms, one kitchen sits near the dining room, designed for efficiency and scale; technically, the butler’s pantry. It includes multiple sinks, wide prep surfaces, and plenty of built-in storage. The floors are marble, and every wall—even the ceiling—is tiled.

At the center, a large oval opening connects the two levels of this “kitchen zone” while the back staircase is closeby. Painted iron railings trace the edge above, echoing the grand staircase elsewhere in the foyer A massive light fixture hangs through the opening, tying the spaces together. From the second floor, cabinetry lines the perimeter—a clear sign that this level stored china and serving pieces. The upper level repeats the tile everywhere, even on the ceiling. It’s an unnecessary extravagance these days, but I’m obsessed.

Downstairs, the main kitchen in thebasement tells another story. Greek fret tile borders frame terrazzo floors, durable and refined. Custom cabinets and open shelving line the walls, made for cookware and serving ware. Yet the true focal point is the range—an oversized French oven beneath a massive hood. Surrounded by tile and craftsmanship, it’s pure French country kitchen inspiration for any current project.

Historic Bath Design Inspiration

Mr. Berwind’s bathroom sets the tone—the console sink is carved from onyx, complete with a backsplash and petite matching shelves and mirrors. One floor features small white hexagon tile, a pattern still found in countless historic homes today.Another bathroom has slabs of marble, both on the floors and the walls. The walls in the primary baths are also finished slabs of marble, while tile walls are installed in the other bathrooms.

Mrs. Berwind’s bathroom feels more delicate, with a painted tub adorned in a feminine motif that softens the stone. Every bath includes one surprising element—a caned chair-like cover built over the toilet. I still can’t decide if it’s charming or just a little bit gross. But that tension between beauty and function is exactly what makes these rooms such historic bath design inspiration for current homes.

Casings, Moldings, and Surrounds

I select a lot of doors and windows in my projects, even when an architect is on board. As the designer, I focus on the interiors—choosing every interior door, placing windows, and often influencing exterior details when it makes sense. At The Elms, a hallmark of historic Newport interior design, the French château influence is unmistakable. The main level features pairs of tall doors that open to the terrace and gardens, each framing the view like art.

What I love most are the trims and finishes. I always specify these details myself—window casings, moldings, and marble surrounds. The marble door trim here is something I’ve actually installed in current projects. Then there are the window treatments—swooning Austrian shades that still feel dramatic today. And the doors themselves… not builder-grade, not generic. Whether three-panel or five-panel, each feels deliberate. I love how the wainscot aligns with the door rails, a small detail that creates cohesion.

4. Millwork Custom Closets

I’m a girl who loves a fabulous closet design—not an Elfa system, not California Closets, and definitely not some flimsy cabinet line made overseas. I mean real craftsmanship: well-built storage that feels permanent. And this house does not disappoint. The ladies of the Gilded Age owned formal gowns with layers of fabric, often far larger than what we wear today, so I love seeing their closets. I’m sure the attics and storage rooms held more, but the millwork alone is stunning.

The women’s dressing rooms are delicate—painted white with soft floral details. Other closets have a natural wood finish, wtih the men’s dressing rooms lean darker, with rich walnut or oak drawers and paneled doors. Designing custom built-ins like these is one of my favorite parts of any project, especially when working with the local craftsmen who make them. Even the linen closets here feel remarkable. At The Elms, each linen piece was once so valuable it could equal a housemaid’s yearly salary. The linens remain preserved behind acrylic panels, embroidered in Europe and still stunning. Elsewhere in the home, even the back-of-house storage tells a story—drawers at the stairwells with marble wall base. Cabinets in the basement kitchen, paired with those unforgettable Greek fret tiles with terrazzo floors.

Silk, Sunlight, and Faded Beauty

I can’t say exactly where the wallpapers at The Elms were sourced, but they’re all extraordinary—aged, elegant, and probably silk (not walways). The lower levels and formal rooms feature wood or marble paneling, but the second-floor spaces reveal a softer side. Corridors, bedrooms, and even a small sitting room are wrapped in rich textiles that still shimmer in places, though many have faded from sunlight.

As with much of historic Newport interior design, the influence is unmistakably French. Around 1890–1910, Parisian firms like Jules Allard & Sons designed entire rooms for Newport mansions, importing silks, damasks, and wallcoverings directly from Lyon. Not every room used pure silk—some were paper-backed or mixed with cotton—but all carried the same level of artistry. The corridors feature regal red damask, while guest rooms display delicate florals. Mrs. Berwind’s bedroom is my favorite: a soft green damask trimmed in pink. Even in their faded state, these wallcoverings remain pretty.

Nothing Short of Darling

The bedrooms at The Elms are nothing short of darling. Each one features a canopy—an enduring trend seen again and again, especially in Southern homes. Some are grand, draped in layers of fabric, while others use a small panel gathered just above the headboard. The accent fabrics differ from room to room, each one framing the bed like a piece of art or a window treatment.

Delicate wallpaper, carved woodwork, and touches of caning give the rooms interest. While the original bedding is long gone, the furnishings feel authentic to the era—layered, composed, and charmingly romantic. Even in their preservation, these bedrooms continue to inspire how I think about proportion, comfort, and the balance between history and home.

Historic Newport Interior Design

Inspiration often hides in the most practical rooms. Kitchens, baths, closets, even window trims—all show how craftsmanship and proportion make design timeless. What still moves me is the care poured into every hinge, tile, and carving. That attention is the heart of historic Newport interior design, and it continues to shape how I strive to approach my own work.

If you missed the earlier parts of this series, you can explore The Elms Exterior Tour and The Elms Formal Interiors to see the full picture of thehome. For more design reflections on my love of historic homes, visit my Historic Home Design Journal Post or browse my Historic Home Design page.