These two rooms were designed in 1784 by the noted architect Victor Louis as central elements in a beautiful mansion that is still standing in Bordeaux, France. In 1912, after that building had been turned into a school, the rooms were removed and offered for sale for $50,000, or over one million in today’s dollars. The exquisite carving of the boiseries and that of the original marble mantles was noted by curators in France who studied and published them. Mrs. Carolan was advised in this major purchase by the famous antique dealer Boni de Castellane. She made the decision to buy the rooms before the house was designed, so in effect the house was planned by Sanson to accommodate these important rooms and respect their proportions and arrangement from the 18th century.

The circular Large Salon was considered the Drawing Room of the house. The more elaborately carved Small Salon was an ideal space for a private conversation. The intricate original ceiling roundel of the Large Salon has at its center the face of Apollo the Sun God, an important decorative element in classic French design. When Harriett removed her furnishings from Carolands in the late 1920s, she had the panels, mirrored doors and mantles carefully taken out of the Château and stored locally. After Harriett’s death in 1956, Countess Dandini purchased them from Harriett’s estate and had them reassembled piece by piece within the exposed brick walls. This 30-year absence of the panelling added to the rumors that the house had not been completed.