Upon completing the main house, a palm court, accessible from the cloisters, was built with 10 tons of plate glass.

Although construction was completed, Vanderbilt continued to search abroad for rare and unusual decorations. After the bachelor and tennis wing was added, Vanderbilt converted his palm court into a trendy Turkish harem. It was decorated with a large silk tent, couches and Near East ornaments.

Also, at this time, a set of ancient Italian stone lions were placed at entrances to the house. Pillars and statuary were installed in the garden. Across the vast front lawn, a wide marble stairway led to the river where a floating mahogany dock anchored Willie K's side paddle steam boat, The Mosquito, used for clamming and fishing excursions.

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