Withdrawing room
The withdrawing room was called such because after elaborate dinner parties, the Otises and their guests “withdrew” to this room. It is the most elegantly decorated room in the house, and seems to have been special to the Otises as it is the only room to have solid mahogany doors. Mahogany was difficult to acquire; other doors in the house were made of less costly wood that was either painted or grained to look like mahogany. The mirrors on the doors were also quite expensive and ostentatious. Two of the doors are false — they were added to maintain the symmetry — but were just as expensive as the functioning doors. There are many Chinese export pieces, including a backgammon set, sewing box, and a settee. The withdrawing room is also the only public room in the house that was designed to be used at night. Unlike the downstairs parlor and dining room, this room has a chandelier. The mirrors on the doors and walls helped to reflect the light and brighten the room during evening parties. The furniture in this room reflects the many different kinds of activities that went on here. After dinner, gentlemen often played games like backgammon or cards. Musical instruments were played by family members and their guests, or by hired musicians, and the furniture could be pushed back to make room for dancing. In the winter especially, the family probably spent most of their time in this room, as it was easier to heat one room and use it for many activities than to heat several rooms. Mrs. Otis might have used this room for small tea parties and for receiving visitors. Tables could be set up and used for family meals as needed.
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