Graylyn Estate - Pour du Tour!

In the early years of my blog I told you about Graylyn and Reynolda house here. And,

as you know, we've been and are still on a mission to visit each of the 100 counties in

North Carolina - And, to visit historical landmarks and anything else we find worth

stopping for... So while we've been to Reynolda house several times, (the last time

here) and we've driven by Graylyn a thousand times... Today, we made it inside!   

Because Graylyn is now offering Butler-guided tours of the estate to include

a lovely wine and cheese reception they call the, Tour-Pour-Du Jour

And, while we don't drink wine, we were Very excited to take the estate tour!

And to tour the gardens again, of course!  

Once 80+ acres, Graylyn is now 55-acres but still, this is 55-acres of perfection!

We spied this Blue Heron doing a little fishing by the pond!

I've decided that this beautiful stone bridge is all that's

missing from the creek on our property... I love it!

Graylyn is constructed of all steel, stone and concrete and is said to

be fire-proof. This method of construction is credited for saving the

whole of Graylyn during a fire that broke out on the third floor in 1980 

If you appreciate such things then you'll love the interior of Graylyn too - For it

truly is an achievement in architecture and design, as well as construction. This

is the reception hall. Note the dimpling texture on the walls - Best visible over

the sconces. You might think this is a result of fancy plaster work... Until

you learn the walls are actually poured concrete. Pretty Incredible!

After checking in we were invited to wait in the Gray's

library where wine and cheese was served prior to the tour

This was said to be one of Mrs. Gray's favorite rooms. The paneling was brought over

from France - Salvaged from a hotel there. However, just before shipment, the French

government changed its mind and tried to cancel the sale. But Mr. Gray insisted the

sale was final so they let it go. But not before a mold of the design could be made!

The paneling is superb; but I love the ceiling more! In the doorway there
you can see an example of the thickness of the walls at Graylyn. Every
wall is at least a foot thick. This castle-like construction made heating
and cooling the 60-rooms and more than 46,000 square feet a breeze!

All of the French doors at Graylyn knocked me out! But once again, just like
RJ Reynolds and GW Vanderbilt, Bowman Gray, Sr., didn't live long following
the completion of his grand estate. And, probably more sad is the fact that
he died shipboard during a vacation cruise and had to be buried at sea!

This is the main living room at Graylyn. At the end of the room are
portraits of the Gray's two sons, Bowman, Jr., and Gordon, whose son,
C. Boyden served as White House counsel for George H.W. Bush. You can
read more about the estate and this prominent North Carolina family here

Our butler-guide, Joseph told us that the ceiling and wall paneling in this room,
located between the reception hall and main living room were original to a Mosque

This is my favorite room of the tour... The indoor pool! Unfortunately, the pool is
covered to accommodate a banquet brunch today. However you can see it here

Again... Those French doors! And, just look at the metal work on the railing here!

The extraordinary tile and metal work at Graylyn
was called out in almost every room of the house...

And for perfectly good reason...
Because all of it is stunning!

This floor, counter and wall tile in the Ice Cream room is another example
of the gorgeous tile and workmanship on display throughout Graylyn estate

We were told all the metal work was done by one man... A blacksmith

by the name of J. Barton Benson who was only in his early twenties!

In my opinion... His work makes this house!

The spiral staircase is as interesting as Benson's metal work. You see,

the steps are floating... They are only anchored through the walls 

You can see each step circling the tower outside...

More of Mr. Benson's work... Here he added a bit of whimsy by

incorporating the Gray's dogs into the design of this candle holder

I manipulated this photo to highlight the amazing brickwork that makes

up what is referred to as the Bee-hive at the top of the spiral staircase

It's easy to see why Graylyn is the choice for weddings in our area!

So many beautiful picture-taking spots... Both both inside the

manor house and throughout its surrounding landscape

I kept poking my head outside from every room to take in the views!

This spot in the house was once the drive way. Now it is enclosed

and one of the adjacent garages serves as a conference room

Through the driveway is the car park behind the house

How I'd love to have this wall around our house!

Down here in the basement, in a room now used as a fitness facility

for guests staying at Graylyn, you can see the house was built with

old RJR tobacco money in the tile motif used above the window!

Here is another fine example of Mr. Benson's ironwork, and more of

that interesting wall texture we first noticed in the reception hall

This is the grill room in the basement, host to several United State Presidents,

including our beloved Ronald Reagan. It is also where our tour ended at Graylyn!

At the end of our tour each of us was invited to select a bottle of wine

to take home from the line produced exclusively for Graylyn. We don't

drink appreciate wine the way I know we should so one seemed just as

fine as the next. Nevertheless, I picked a pretty Chardonnay and he

chose a rich Cabernet! All in all, this was a wonderful way to spend a

couple of hours on a stormy summer afternoon... And, we'll be back,

because I'd love to spend the night in one of these cozy rooms!

Everyone present at Graylyn today treated us like their very own house-guests... However, I want to give special mention and thanks to Shelley Brown, Graylyn's Director of Sales for her special attention during the reservations process. Also, our butler, Joseph for the information he shared during the tour and finally, the cute doorman, who so politely stepped inside to let me snap photos of the house, minus his big yellow umbrella!