There’s one spot in Chicago that is half gilded age mansion, half art museum, and that’s the Richard H. Driehaus museum also known as the Marble Palace. I paid this nifty spot a visit and was blown away.
MARBLE PALACE OUTFIT DETAILS:
SHEIN TOP c/o | OLD NAVY DENIM | JEFFREY CAMPBELL MULES | LOEFFLER RANDALL BAG | OLD NAVY JACKET | BELT, DUPE | LIPS: NYX Kitten Heels
Happy Monday everyone, and I hope you’re enjoying this lovely Memorial day weekend. I just learned that Chicago is the most highly visited city over Memorial Day weekend? I didn’t know until Dan told me, either! My besty Ashley is visiting me this weekend from Cleveland. We were roommates in college and in the same sorority and she’s seriously my soul sister!
The Driehaus Museum, Marble Palace
If you’re planning on coming to Chicago any time soon, the Driehaus Museum is a must-visit. If you love architecture, history, and Downtown Abbey, this museum is for you. The Marble Palace museum is a moment frozen in time, showcasing the design of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Think Titanic-era. The building itself used to be a mansion owned by the Nickersons, who were in banking at the time. After passing through various hands, the building evolved into the headquarters for the American College of Surgeons, and was finally bought by an American philanthropist named Richard H. Driehaus. Mr. Driehaus restored the mansion in five years, and eventually opened it to the public as a museum with many of the original furnishings!
Walking inside, you’ll be pleasantly greeted by lavish marble, solid wood doors, and priceless Tiffany lamps. Guided or audio tours are available, but Michelle and I chose to peruse and read the information placards at our leisure.
I must admit that most of our time spent at the Marble Palace museum was oogling over the gorgeous decor and furnishings. Each room made me think about the people who lived there and the purpose of each item in the room. Which leads me to fantasize about how simpler life might be if, for instance, we had a room that was solely designated for hanging out with the ladies (the drawing room), or sitting and smoking with some chaps. I thought about these people’s lives and their routines and how everything in the house, while lavish, had a specific meaning.
The home itself is a museum, as far as the immovable things go. My favorite room had to be the Moroccan room. It has these exquisite blue Moroccan tiles surrounding the most ornately carved fireplace I have ever seen!
The Art of Seating
But besides the home itself, the museum organizes art displays on the second floor. Currently and until August 12, 2018, there is an exhibit on the art of seating. You’ve got that right – chairs through the ages! We got to see examples of American-designed chairs crafted between 1810 and 2010. It was extremely cool to see how something we take for granted has evolved in terms of function, form, and trends.
I love art and function, especially because I am a fashion blogger! If someone creates something that is useful but beautiful, like a chair or a pair of shoes, then I am a huge fan. Some of the chairs looked like they were designed specifically for style, with a conscious disregard for any functionality. See the wooden swirly chair below. We do this in fashion, too! Since we’re doing a shoe comparison, the swirly chair reminds me of the McQueen armadillo heels that Lady Gaga used to wear. Absolute art, but probably not too comfortable.
The exhibit concluded with a room of chairs that you can sit your tush in and try out yourself! After looking at so many chairs, I was ready to sit in one!
We finished with a quick dip through the gift shop and a photo in front of this Instagrammable backdrop with my late 19th century friends Wallace and Poppy. I don’t know what their real names are/were but they sound fitting to me.
Overall, the Driehaus Museum is a wonderful experience that will make you feel more worldly in under 2 hours. The Marble Palace museum is located in the River North neighborhood, just a skip away from the Magnificent Mile and tons of restaurants and shopping. Every time I talk about the Driehaus Museum to a Chicagoan, their reaction is a beaming and positive one. I recommend visiting the museum when they open at 10 am (Tuesday-Sunday), then discussing the beauty over an Aperol Spritz at Eataly Chicago (a 3 minute walk) or on the patio at Quartino (a 2 minute walk).
Thank you to the Richard H. Driehaus museum for providing us complimentary tickets to visit your lovely museum! And thank you for supporting the brands that support Glass of Glam.
Photography by @MichelleCoxPhoto
–Roxanne
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On Mondays We Link Up
My favorite look from Last week’s linkup is Shannon from Upbeat Soles!
Shannon posts the most gorgeous bohemian styles that are super affordable. Her skirt is on sale if you’re dying to style it, too!
Emma Peach says
May 31, 2018 at 11:14 amThis looks like a fantastic place to visit, the decor is really stunning. Great photos!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Roxanne says
May 31, 2018 at 7:31 pmThanks so much!
Brooke says
May 30, 2018 at 4:27 pmWhat a cool place to visit! All those chairs! I love these pictures of you too Roxanne, so cute!
Brooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Elise says
May 30, 2018 at 1:24 pmI need to visit Chicago, I have never been! This museum looks fantastic, reminds me of the Breakers in Newport, RI. Gorgeous!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Roxanne says
May 30, 2018 at 3:11 pmYes, come visit!
Ruth says
May 29, 2018 at 5:07 pmWow this museum looks absolutely amazing. Sounds like you had a great time too!
http://www.mylittlenest.org
Roxanne says
May 30, 2018 at 3:11 pmWe had a great time! Thanks, Ruth.
Linda Cassidy says
May 29, 2018 at 8:32 amwhat a delightful spot. I adore museums and discovering the past
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:35 pmThanks Linda!
Laura says
May 28, 2018 at 10:59 pmThis looks like such a fun museum to visit and the interior is gorgeous too!
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:35 pmIt is absolutely stunning! Thanks so much, Laura.
Cheryl Shops says
May 28, 2018 at 10:20 pmHow funny, I grew up in Chicago and I’ve never even heard of this place! Thanks for telling us all about it—looks like a great backdrop!
Cheryl Shops | http://www.cherylshops.net
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:36 pmIt is kind of a hidden gem! You’ll have to have a peek next time you’re in town!
jacqui says
May 28, 2018 at 5:23 pmFabulous, love the whole outfit. Thanks for hosting too! Jacqui Mummabstylish
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:36 pmThanks, Jacqui!
Nicole at High Latitude Style says
May 28, 2018 at 1:04 pmGreat photos. It’s not easy to take them and bring the colors of the glass out that nicely. Thanks for sharing and hosting the party.
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:36 pmThanks, Nicole! Michelle is a pro. She brought a special light and everything!
Jessica A Jannenga says
May 28, 2018 at 12:29 pmWOW, this museum is so lavish! Beautiful inside and i love the wood carved fireplace in your pics. gorgeous pics too, and i love the color of your top and your style here. it reminds me of the Biltmore in Asheville, where every room is amazing.
Happy Memorial day!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:37 pmYes! And all the Tiffany lamps inside are gorgeous. The Biltmore is on my bucket list!
Jennie says
May 28, 2018 at 11:03 amLoved these photos and learning about this museum. You look quite cute and comfortable in your casual look!
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:38 pmThank you so much, Jennie!
Amy Johnson says
May 28, 2018 at 10:20 amMy kids live in Chicago and I thought I’ve seen everything there but I never heard of this place. It looks amazing! I will be checking it out on my next visit.
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:38 pmIt is totally underrated! Definitely give it a visit next time you’re in town!
Bojana says
May 28, 2018 at 9:55 amI would love strolling through this museum, and I am a big fan of audio tours so that I can learn about different time periods. When I make it to Chicago some day this will be on my list of things to do and see. Hope you had a great weekend with your bestie.
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:39 pmI love audio tours too! It is so nice to be able to view things at your own pace. I hope you had a lovely weekend, too!
Cheryl Tucker says
May 28, 2018 at 9:29 amFabulous post! Love your pictures!
Cheryl
http://www.northwestmountainliving.com
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:39 pmThanks so much, Cheryl!
Jodie says
May 28, 2018 at 8:44 amWhat a fun place to visit, Roxanne!!
That’s definitely someplace we’d visit when we come out to Chicago!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:40 pmIf you guys love history and architecture and home decor, then absolutely yes!
Shelbee on the Edge says
May 28, 2018 at 8:38 amRoxanne, this looks like a really cool museum. I love that Art of Seating exhibit and your photos are so fun! Thanks for sharing.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:41 pmSeeing all the chairs was so cool! They are all works of art in their own way. Thanks so much, Shelbee!
Susan Rahamim says
May 28, 2018 at 7:42 amwhat a beautiful place. your descriptions made me want to see it for myself! at first glace it looked like you were sitting in Wallace’s lap.
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:41 pmHahaha so happy you agree that he is a Wallace. We can go next time you are here!
Sheela Goh says
May 28, 2018 at 7:27 amI really appreciate this new charm to your photos, Roxanne. There’s an almost ole world glam feel to them, which (to me) resonates so well with your personal style. Timeless. Classy. Beautiful 🙂
p/s I suspect that Lady Gaga chair is for itsy bitsy butts!!! 😛 😛
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:42 pmThat means so much to me, Sheela! Your comments always make my day 🙂 Haha yes! Certainly that chair is for a teensy booty.
Maureen says
May 28, 2018 at 6:01 amCan I just say wow?! These pictures are beautiful and the details are just fantastic. I bet the museum itself is much better in person. Your outfit is perfect for sightseeing! Simple and super chic.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:43 pmThank you so much, Maureen! There’s only so much that can be captured in a photo – the rest you must see for yourself!
Maria | passion fruit, paws and peonies says
May 28, 2018 at 3:02 amI loved seeing around the museum. These photos are so much fun and love your burnt orange top! xx
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:43 pmThanks Maria! I’m happy that we were able to capture the highlights.
Simplement Lui says
May 28, 2018 at 2:56 amOne think I like the most with blog posts is discovering new things and your post is perfect for this! I had never heard of this place but it seems much more than worth a visit! Great style! Thanks for sharing and happy Monday xx
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/05/25/bom-dia-lisboa/
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:44 pmThank you for the sweet compliment! I love discovering new places on blogs, too. I always file it away in my mind for when I hopefully and eventually visit a new place!
Mica says
May 28, 2018 at 1:05 amOh what a beautiful museum to visit! I can see why everyone thinks highly of it 🙂
Thank you for the link up!
Hope that you had a wonderful weekend! We spent a lot of time outside enjoying the warmer than expected weather!
Away From The Blue Blog
Roxanne says
May 29, 2018 at 2:45 pmSo glad you had a lovely weekend! Thanks so much, Mica. The Driehaus museum is stunning.