The Fascinating Life & Legacy of Louis Comfort Tiffany: Inside His New York Mansion 

Wow... Of all the houses I've seen on this channel, this is the one I most regret losing... It would have been the most remarkable 'museum' of interior design in the country had it not burned down.

The mansion and property was so aesthetically designed. How wonderful it would have been to be able to see today.

What a tragedy that this house is no longer standing! It is, however, some strange comfort to know that it was destroyed by a fire instead of demolished for a housing development. At least the windows were saved!

Thank you for focusing on what I consider to be one of the most artistic houses ever designed and built in the United States. The surviving portions of the house, including the amazing Daffodil Porch, reconstructed at the Morse Museum in Winter Park, Florida, are well worth a visit to see!

How wonderful it would be to walk the paths of this magnificent home.

Wait, what?! There’s a huge Tiffany window collection in Orlando? How did that happen, wow! I taught a conservatory that has the most extraordinary Tiffany Windows. They are so beautiful! It was something I looked forward to every time I taught there. And Liberace studied there decades before I taught there. Thanks for bring this house back to the light.

What a delightful and innovative interior this home must’ve had in its day. From the sheer amount of craft involved in decorating it, to the interiors flooded with light and covered in orchids and palms. Wow . Art nouveau, in my opinion, with its vast variety and it’s respect to both natural and organic forms and rigorous precision, has to be my favorite movement in architecture, art, and ornament. Everything manufactured in that period, in almost every corner of the world, is a marvel to behold. Along with beaux arts, I see it as being among the peaks of human creative expression and development.

BREAKS my heart how many beautiful homes were lost to fires..

So cool to see the house of an artiist. Sad that fire destroyed the house but it is great his student could save the windows. That's the good thing about Tiffany's work. When one of the local mansions burned, the Tiffany window basically popped out of its frame so it was perfectly restored, not one piece lost.

I'm glad the glass was saved. Interesting style to the house. The flowing designs with themes of nature were popular in Late Victorian homes, and continued on through Art Nouveau. His house, however, seemed to have simpler, cleaner lines, like the later Art Deco look of the 1930s. He definitely had a unique vision.

I believe that Erwine and Estelle Laverne lived in the house in the 50's and had a sort of designer commune for thier fabulous furniture, wallpaper and other creations. Laverne International.

Always fascinating history lessons. I’ve often wondered about how Tiffany Glass was introduced. Thanks for the video.

Subbed, forgot I wasn't before. Love seeing these old pictures and the history behind these old mansions. Makes me want a big ass fireplace and sitting room. 60 acre lot and I'd be happy to just afford 1 someday. Just the craftsman work alone is nuts I'm surprised the fire and heat didn't break more of his stained glass. Great video!

It was a very interesting house that obviously had a lot of Tiffany’s beautiful work inside-great that it has been preserved.

I also think this is one if MG very favorite houses. Loved how he brought nature into the house. And the setting on the ocean. Wonderful!!

This home was beautiful. Some very amazing glass windows that are priceless. Thankfully that amazing glass could be saved and in a museum now.

Very interesting! It's a shame so many famous old mansions were lost to fire.

The Morse museum is so lovely! They have whole rooms from the house, the Chapel is amazing. Tiffany summered in Winter Park & had a huge influence on the community

It's inspiring to see historic homes of artists. These days, artists will only buy modern homes with straight lines to have blank canvasses to display their art instead of making the home an art installation in itself.

The Morse Museum is in Winter Parl, Fl, just outside Orlando. It is an incredible Museum, I have been there many times. If you ever get the chance GO! Plus, Winter Park is beautiful. I lived there for many years and the Morse museum was one of my favorite places.

Never knew this existed! I love learning new things. Thank you so much! How incredibly exquisite his house and art was/is. What an extraordinary artist for sure.

Very interesting. Incredible home. It’s sad that it’s gone.

Even though all I saw was a few black & white photos this is my favorite house.

The art and architecture from 1900 and 1910 had such delicacy, and was so elegant.

Thank you for this, he was way ahead of his time. What a loss, possibly the most remarkable home of its time, glad to hear one of his students was able to save some of the work! I have always been fascinated by Tiffany's work. My great-grandfather, who lived in Corona, Long Island, knew Louis Tiffany and my grand-mother's first husband was married to one of the artists Tiffany employed. Alas, the marriage did not last and she went on to marry my grandfather. Yes, she kept a few treasured pieces.

I'm not usually a garden person, but I loved the landscaping here - maybe because it was less formal. I imagine you'd really feel like you were walking in nature. I'm reminded of the family killer, John List. He had lost his job and income and couldn't sustain his big house. He didn't know that the large stained glass skylight was by Tiffany. He could have sold it and solved his financial problems.

The great Tiffany!! This is the most tragic of all the fabulous houses we have lost in time .. his work was absolute poetry in creative genius, and IMO has never really been equaled. His extraordinary home was a testament to this... this was his jewel in the crown. I heard that during the devastation phase, looters were pulling the lovely stained glass windows apart just for the lead came that the pieces were wrapped in ...🤦

I see a lot of houses on RU-vid but this one so far was just beautiful besides I like Tiffany's work what I've seen of it he made this house absolutely Artful and beautiful

Beautiful home. So sad that it was destroyed. Thank you for sharing!

love how these fires just happen--hummmm

Whoa.... a moment here. To breathe and respect. 🙂 history at its greatest. Now on with video thank you for sharing

What a tragic loss to the world of art and architecture to have it all destroyed by such a catastrophic fire. This could well be one of the greatest losses of a magnificent home in the US. How incredibly sad.

Excellent report. Whenever I have the opportunity to see Tiffany's work, I'm on my way! The Winter Park museum is wonderful. However, the most unforgettable display I've seen was the exquisite Art Nouveau jewelry he personally created. It was at an exhibition held at the Klamazoo Institute of Art. Many of his lamps and glasswork were also on display but that jewelry was really amazing! If anyone gets the opportunity to see his jewelry, I can highly recommend it!

WOW

What a beautiful house! It can never be replicated. Frank Lloyd Wright built many houses so if one burned we could still see others but this was one of a kind designed by a very talented artist. I wish we could still visit it. Burning down accidentally is tragic but it would have been more tragic if someone tore it down to replace or rebuild.

Great story with a sad ending but wonderful the glass was saved. Do you know what ever happened to the land and residue structure? Would be an interesting epilogue to this video.

On 22ed of December 2022 .. I went to the Museum IT IS AMAZING. The Best time to go is in the Morning or On Friday When open Late Because of the Traffic.. (Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.. Friday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.. Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.. Closed Monday and most major holidays). I found going before a Holiday is a good time less crowded.

Wow!! Very Beautiful!! I can just imagine walking into his house as. Just being in AWE with the stained glass.

If there was one house that should still be around today this should have been it! Tragic a fire had to destroy that place! At least some of the Glass was saved! But imagine what was lost!

Thank you so much for the video 😊

A very beautiful and unique home, from a mind who's concept and creations brought timeless beauty for everyone to behold!😄❤️👍

Wow 😍👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👌🏾! I live in O-town, so I will visit the museum

What a shame it burned down. I was very interested to see what his mansion was like, so thank you for this! At least some of it was salvaged. Helps take the sting out of it being no more.

Glad they were saved

Amazing the new owners didn’t have enough sense to take care of the house. Just goes to show if you don’t work for it, things are taken for granted. I can’t believe they burnt it down. Doubtless an accident, but how careless can you possibly get?

There is a church in my hometown that has a Tiffany window. Its quite beautiful.

Beautiful

I’ve always been a huge Tiffany fan! Thanks for sharing😊

Stunning & fun 💗

I've just found this channel and I love watching your videos of the wonderful homes, I'm subscribed ❤ can't wait to see more videos.

I grew up in a church with eight Tiffany stained glass windows. They are beautiful, but they are hard to maintain, with their multiple layers of heavy textured glass. St Paul's Episcopal Church in Troy, NY, has what I believe is the only surviving complete Tiffany interior. It is very much worth checking out.

I've loved watching your videos and many of the houses but this one is by far my most favorite house you've shown. Absolutely gorgeous!

Great video! I've always loved stained glass

Fantastic information! I want to go see it all!

I lived on Long Island for many years and a friend of mine volunteered at the Guggenheim Preserve on Sands Point, NY. There was a rumor that one of the houses, Falaise, had a Tiffany ceiling which was destroyed during WWII when the military occupied it. I bet a lot of the gold coast mansions had Tiffany glass which was eventually lost/destroyed. Once when I was coming home from a trip to the Hamptons I went into an antique store and came upon a Tiffany lamp. The store owner was asking $10,000 for it. Of course, I didn't have that kind of money. I had no idea Laurelton Hall was in Oyster Bay. If I had known I would have gone looking for the remnants of it. We used to like to explore old gold coast mansions. The video brought back memories and I enjoyed it very much. I'm living on Florida now and will have to check out the Morse Museum!

Wonderful video🌈

Those windows are breath taking. Check out "The Dream Garden" in the lobby of the Curtis Center in Philadelphia by Maxfield Parish and executed by Louis comfort Tiffany.

Grew up near this property. Always wondered what it looked like. Only the concrete tower remains.

Absolutely beautiful. What a talent he had.no heirs?

I’m so glad they were able to save the stained glass.

Lost craft..just pure beauty

Gorgeous never before seen shots of the mansion. Please know that the Morse Museum is in the gorgeous neighboring town of Winter Park, FL - not Orlando proper

There is an indoor fountain from this house on display at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. Another big loss is that Theodore Roosevelt had that Tiffany glass screen in the White House destroyed because he didn't like it. The only surviving Tiffany designed house (the Ayer mansion on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, MA - either this house or the whole street would make a great video) is currently up for sale if you have a spare $15 million lying around. Excellent video.

I love visiting interesting estates and historical homes. May I recommend Headley-Whitney in Lexington Kentucky? I absolutely love the Shell Grotto; it's fascinating!

What a loss.

What a tragic loss of grand architecture! My imagination leaves me to believe that it was the most magnificent building of it's time. Sad ...

Correction, please...I live in the city of Winter Park, FL, the home of the Morse Museum. We are very proud of this magnificent museum, which holds the largest collection of Tiffany art in the world, including many of the works seen in this video, such as the complete chapel from chandelier to baptismal font. While we are NEAR Orlando, we are a distinct and separate city.

In NYC, is the Bowery Mission for the poor. On the second floor is a Beautiful stained glass window, facing the street. It was designed by Steven Tiffany. 🙂

There are Tiffany windows in the church I was married in. They are breathing taking. It’s so sad that all that work except for a portion was able to be salvaged.

Punctuation would be a nice addition.

Sanford Bray was the true inventor of the copper foil method, as stated here, Tiffany just purchased the patent. He definitely took it to the next level though.

That wasn't fantastic story I'm really enjoying it

Remember there is a difference between Tiffany & Co., founded by Charles Tiffany, and Tiffany Studios founded by Charles’ son, Louise Comfort Tiffany. The former was the jewelry and fine goods store; the latter was a design company, specializing in stained glass windows, lamps, and interior design.

I couldn’t help but notice that in the first photograph of Tiffany as a young man, he appears to be sporting only half a mustache. I wonder if that’s actually real or just some trick of the lighting?

I've heard accounts of many folks on Long island exploring the many ruins of Long Island Country houses - particularly in the 6os and 7os. People who are now known as Urban and Rural Explorers (or Urbexers and Rurexers respectively) Including by friends of mine who grew up on Long Island and later became successful artists in their own right. I've heard some accounts of the exploration whatever remained of Laurelton Hall, problem is over there the greenery (particularly English ivy and kudzu) quickly swallows places and makes them almost wholly indecipherable - it would be interesting to know if any floor plans of Laurelton Hall Survived. But I am grateful to you for providing more imagery of this great house than I have seen thus far. Particularly the sublime interiors - thank you ! ☺️

The J.C. League house in Galveston, TX, had some fantastic Tiffany windows. The owner had them removed for conservation and safe storage while she restores the house. They are jaw-dropping. There is a video of this hair-raising operation on her channel.

And in color

It was truly a unique house and so advanced in style. It reflects the art nouveau of Vienna and not so much of Belgium or Paris. Certainly it was not the art nouveau of Barcelona and Gaudi. The interiors would have been magnificent to see. A real tragedy to have lost it for this country. Tiffany was the preeminent example of an art nouveau designer in the US and even for the world.

How could you save the glass if the house is on fire?

Wish your videos were longer

Hi there. I love the houses you show but are there some great ones that did not get destroyed? I love it but I find it depressing.

When you try to calculate the value of money in 1900, or any other time, and now, you Must use more than just Inflation as a guide: the comparable Purchasing Power of the Dollar. Two Million Dollars for the Tiffany mansion would be closer to One Hundred Million than the Thirty-four that you suggest.

😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲

Spent a long day at the Morse Museum

Was the portrait by Sorolla saved?

😘😌👈🏽💕

What's on the grounds now?

Жаль, что столь прекрасный особняк сгорел. Возможно это был единственный особняк в стиле ар-нуво в Америке, где этот стиль очень редок в отличие от Европы (России в том числе)

What’s the land being used for now?

I find it amazing as a European that so many fantastic landmarks are being destroyed in the US, either by fire or by “investment opportunities”

I've seen some photos of the Tiffany interiors of the White House. If we could have seen those interiors in color photographs...! Not everyone liked the Tiffany style. I've read that when Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House he not only had the Tiffany glass screen removed but ordered it broken into "...a million pieces"! Margaret Truman said that looking at photos of the East Room that had Tiffany elements added to the "Steamboat Gothic" of the Grant era gave her a headache! I have mixed reactions to Tiffany creations, but would sure like to go back in time to visit the White House while it had Tiffany interiors.

dang, all these homes burning up. wonder what's there now

I notice that a few mansions are destroyed by fire. Insurance?

Insurance job and land grab. Funny how they had time to get the valuable glass out in time .

It's a terrible tragedy that Laurelton Hall did not survive (along with his father's Richardson Romanesque mansion in New York City). All of the buildings you discuss have their merits of course, but as Laurelton Hall, like Beauport was a combination of wealth, independent vision - it also strayed from the typical "pattern book" architecture that typified Long Island Country House Architecture, and was a independent vision of a completely unique and incredibly successful artistic genius and extraordinarily refined sensibility. The loss of Laurelton Hall was not only a great disservice to our collective history , but made a gaping void in the continuity of the history of design, Decorative Arts, and Architectural history. Imagine if Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin or William Morris' "Red House," or "Beauport," Charles Renee Mackintosh's library at the Glasgow school of art had been lost to tragic accident or succumbed to the wrecking ball ? 😔

Too bad these photos are in black and white .

He had eight children, I wonder why it wasn’t kept in the family?

Too many beautiful homes burned in the old days. Heating with firewood, and candles for lighting usually the cause. Many masterpieces lost. Even Frank Lloyd Wright had to build his WI home three times (one arson)

Too bad it burned down.

I like the houses but I don’t care at all who owned them or what they did to acquire them.