Completed Restoration Projects of 2016

Virginia Robinson Gardens’
Completed Restoration Projects of 2016

Many thanks to the generous contributions from all benefactors of The Friends of Robinson Gardens projects that were successfully completed this year. Here is a list of the 2016 projects:

Restored and conserved the Moorish style, hand painted ceiling in the Solarium of the Pool Pavilion built in 1923, along with restoring the original paint color for the walls and molding in the solarium. Restored the Marble Terrazzo flooring in the Solarium and at the rear terrace of the Main House Restored two 19th century Italianate style Grandfather clocks, one in the… Read More

Virginia’s Cardroom Restoration Project

Virginia’s Cardroom Restoration Project   needs your Pledge at the La Dolce Vita Patron Gala

The newest restoration plan at Robinson Gardens is to restore Virginia Robinson’s cardroom. The entrance to this enchanting hidden room is in the Billiards Room of the Pool Pavilion. A secret door in the wall panel opens up to a winding staircase that ascends into this magical space. The cardroom is ornately painted with motifs that tell a story of other lands and an era gone by. It is accented with delicately painted faux marble walls, columns, trim, and floors.

Unfortunately, time has not been too … Read More

Restoration Projects at VRG

Current Restoration Projects at Virginia Robinson Gardens

The Master Bedroom

The Master bedroom of Virginia Robinson has been repainted to its original color, a dusty rose. The newly painted soft green trim around the door jams now beautifully accents the trompe l’oeil painting above each doorway in the bedroom.

Before After

Upon restoration of Virginia’s vanity room, original faux marble trim that matches the dark green marble counter tops was discovered. The faux marble accent also matches the decorative painting above the vanity doorway. The plan now is to restore the faux marble back to its original state.

The CranesRead More

Virginia Robinson: Her goals and her impact on Beverly Hills

Virginia Robinson: Her goals and her impact on Beverly Hills

Nancy Dowey, Virginia Robinson’s great niece, said that it was Virginia’s desire to have Beverly Hills reflect her own sensibilities. Virginia wanted to live in a sophisticated, wealthy suburb like the developers, Rodeo Land and Water Co., had promised in their advertising. She, therefore, led by example. Virginia felt that her home was not only a showcase for her lifestyle but that it was the standard that the community of Beverly Hills should pursue. This level of excellence would have appeared to have been a low bar to cross since … Read More

A Robinson Gardens Fountain Story

A Robinson Gardens Fountain Story

I recently shared the surprise of many first-time visitors to Robinson Gardens, wondering how something so impressive and delightful could be kept such a relative secret. Quickly enough this reaction was overtaken by discovery. The curious silence of the palm garden, the seeming endlessness of the landscape’s jig-sawed sections, its easy mixing of symmetry and asymmetry, the exotic, large trees—and the property’s many fountains with their playful complications, wove together a special elegance and identity.

My work as a fountain designer has allowed me to visit and study many of the world’s famous fountains, and … Read More

English Country Houses: Part II

English Country Houses: Part II

“Tim is truly a treasure for Robinson Gardens; we are so lucky to have him,” exclaimed Marian Power, our Chair of Education Programs, as she introduced Timothy Lindsay, the Superintendent of Robinson Gardens. He proceeded to give us the second part of his lecture on great English Country Houses. Tim attended the prestigious Attingham Summer School Program in Southern England for 17 days where museum professionals visited numerous estates and their magnificent gardens.

Chatsworth, one of the grandest English houses, owned by the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is also one of the most visited. … Read More

Virginia Robinson Gardens is Number 2 – And Proud of It!

In January 2013, the Beverly Hills City Council designated Virginia Robinson Gardens as Beverly Hills Local Landmark No. 2.  (The Beverly Hills Hotel is Beverly Hills Local Landmark No. 1.)

“This is one of the most unique properties in our city,” said Noah Furie, Chairperson of the Cultural Heritage Commission of the City of  Beverly Hills, California.  “With all its different types of gardens, its owners being the founders of one of Los Angeles’ most important department store chains, and their many contributions to the immediate and greater community, it checked off multiple criteria in our ordinance.”

As LA County … Read More

Restoration Efforts Continue at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, the “First Estate of Beverly Hills”

The County of Los Angeles has embarked on a multi-million-dollar rehabilitation and restoration of the “First Estate of Beverly Hills.” Before we get to the project list, a little architectural history will provide some background information. The Robinsons’ Beaux-Arts-style Main House, designed and built by Virginia’s father in 1911, has a 6-inch concrete ceiling deck.  Built like a parking structure, it is strong enough to hold multiple cars. The concrete sub-floor of the Main House is equally over-built and is insulated, like the walls of the house, by the ancient Italian method of stacked terra cotta waffle blocks.  The Main … Read More

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