Located on top of the 'Mound', the Casino provides a focal point to the view from the house as well as provide the typical garden folly; a place to enjoy the view of the gardens and the house.
Located in a heavily wooded garden on the map(#12), the Casino (#13) overlooks what would have been the original water park behind the estate, which was sold in the 1940s to the Catholic Diocese who developed the site.
The structure is part of the retaining wall system of the mound and is 1 story facing the garden and main house and 2 stories on the rear. It should be noted that the trees were planted full growth so as to provide instant shade!
I loved these garden benches in front of the 2 rooms of the Casino.
Salvaged marble composite capitals decorate the steps up to the loggia of the Casino.
The ceiling of the loggia is painted in the Italian Renaissance style.
The center panel (painted by Paul Thevanez) was infilled into an older found painting from the studio of none other than Gianbattista Tiepolo.
You can see where it has been pieced together and also (I believe) a recent and ongoing restoration.
The interiors of the 2 rooms flanking the loggia are decorated in 18th century italian style.
Grand chandeliers for the smallest of rooms and don't forget the fireplaces!
Imagine taking tea here in the gardens; I would never leave!
Notice the patterned marble floors.
Each room is slightly different, but each is furnished with a seating area in front of a fireplace.
The painted finish on the interior is really gorgeous.
On the sides of the Casino are these statues decorating the front of where the chimneys are hidden.
The views down to the rear garden lawn are now lush and green, although back in Deering's time they faced acres of canals where guests could ride gondolas; sort of a private amusement park or ultra-chic lazy river!
The canals were infilled for development and a screen of trees was planted, changing the view forever.
The steps snake down the sides of the casino and down to what would have been a gondola launch.
The underside of the casino had restrooms flanking a loggia, similar to upstairs, which are now mechanical rooms. I loved these little round windows looking into these rooms below.
The little Casino doesn't look so small from behind!
The photoshoot seemed to be following me around the gardens.
Notice the delicate ironwork.
The rusticated coral limestone is really spectacular at this lower level.
The lower loggia has fountains in line with the openings and a barrel vaulted ceiling.
The overdoors to the entry to the bathrooms have these great faces!
It's not Italianaite without some statuary!
The launch for the long-gone gondolas still exists, albeit it a little overgrown.
A charming reminder of what once was.
Oddly enough, one of my favorite things about New York is the presence of nature in the city.
Central Park is so much more majestic for its city setting and natural / city contrasts.
While in New York last weekend, Habitually Chic and I enjoyed the fine spring weather and spent the afternoon wandering around this paradise with ice cream cones. Maybe a little too long, I'm still suffering from my peeley sunburn!
Another piece of nature lies on the medians of Park Avenue. The pink metal rose sculptures by Will Ryman are surrounded by spring tulips for a short time every year.
A city of contrasts: the man-made and the natural working in harmony. Enjoy your weekend!
At first glance, the cemetery appears to be more of a park than a resting place for loved ones. In fact, even on the gloomy, rainy day I was there (I call it Pittsburgh weather) the grounds were filled with joggers, dog walkers and people enjoying the warm spring weather.
This Egyptian Revival mausoleum was interesting: I suspect the family buried there was very very stylish.
The functional center of Vizcaya remains the courtyard. Once open to the elements, as discussed, it now has been enclosed with a glass roof to help protect the house's contents as well as to provide an all-season location for events.
The courtyard is bordered on 2 sides by arcades filled with art and furniture, seen here, as well as 2 loggias previously discussed; the 
These spaces really functioned as hallways linking the primary rooms of the house as well as providing covered access to the upstairs.
Here you can begin to see the glass canopy added in the 80s, with heavy concrete supports somewhat masked by the corner planting beds. Just imagine this space when it looked right up into the sky! Despite originally being left open, plans were drafted which had designs for a silk canopy to cover the courtyard. This was never installed due to cost, but accounts exist of parties where the space was actually tented. Therefore, a covered courtyard would not have been completely shocking to Deering or Chalfin.
The fountain below blocks the view from the front entry into the courtyard. This not only provides some privacy as the courtyard was the most used 'room' in the house, but saves the magnificent open space as a surprise.
The view into the arcades is really beautiful, especially through the plantings. I love this Swedish clock.
Despite being enclosed, the courtyard still feels enormous and light filled; the plantings ground you firmly in Florida.
The gallery on the 2nd story provides access to the bedrooms as well as views down into the courtyard.
The wall along the East Loggia housed both a clock as well as a wind gauge; again more technology!
Despite the grandness of the house, the stairs to the 2nd floor were not ostentatious but rather practical (yet still provided a gracious ascent, how many of us have stairs this wide at home?).
