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Designers like Willis Polk drew inspiration from Versailles for the estate, turning it into a miniature palace that echoed Louis XIV’s grandeur. Constructed from local redwood and finished with cement to resemble white stone, the mansion exuded old-world European elegance. Surrounded by formal gardens and vineyards, Beaulieu was the ideal setting for hosting lavish galas and celebrating high society during the Gilded Age.
The Rise of a French Château: The Carolan Estate
By 1909, Harriet's ambitions soared higher. She commissioned the construction of Carolan Estate, a French-inspired castle covering 65,000 square feet, dwarfing her original mansion. With 95 rooms, a private racecourse, and a staff of sixty, this opulent residence epitomized the height of gilded luxury.