The History of the Alexander Mansion > Alexander Mansion Interior Rooms > The French Room
Alexander Mansion Interior Rooms
The French Room
To the right of the Entry Foyer lies one of the most beloved spaces in the Mansion—the French Room. Graceful and refined, this front parlor was designed for receiving guests, entertaining, and enjoying quiet conversation.
The room is anchored by an ornate fireplace, surrounded in creamy marble veined with warm tones and topped by an elaborately carved mantle with scrollwork and a shell-like flourish at its center. The carvings portray the traditional motif of acanthus leaves, which is seen repeatedly in the door and window trim throughout the house. The acanthus leaf is a symbol of enduring life and appropriately graces the surfaces inside and out of the Alexander Mansion.
A large mirror framed in the same decorative molding stretches upward, reflecting light from the tall windows and making the room feel even more expansive. The golden peacock-style fireplace screen adds a touch of shine and a nod to the Gilded Age elegance that defines this space.
The French Room’s windows are dressed in tailored drapery with swags and jabots, lending a soft frame to the tall openings. During the day, natural light pours in through the windows, bathing the room in warmth and highlighting the fine textures—damask patterned walls, richly grained wood floors, and the soft sheen of antique furniture. In the evening, the lighting is subtle, allowing the room’s ivory palette and glimmering brass fixtures to take on a more romantic glow.
Period furniture pieces—many gifted by longtime Forum members—include upholstered settees, carved wood armchairs, and delicate side tables. These pieces, while not original to the house, reflect the early 1900s style and maintain the room’s historical charm.
Then and Now
A historic photo of the French Room as it was decorated and used in the 1920s. The ceiling was hand painted with delicate patterns. The walls were covered with silk damask fabric. The curtains were made from the same fabric.
The French Room as photographed in 2024. The light fixtures, fireplace, mantle, and mirror are all still in original condition.
Though it may appear formal at first glance, the French Room has long been a gathering place for conversation, hospitality, and connection. It’s easy to imagine the scene a hundred years ago—ladies in long skirts sitting with tea cups in hand, the scent of fresh flowers nearby, and laughter gently filling the air.
This room was—and remains—a space for gracious living.
Look Around and You Might Notice…
(Left) Portrait of Mrs. E. P. Turner, Founder of the Dallas Woman’s Forum
(Center) Original ceiling light fixture with central bowl and four pendants in bronze and alabaster glass shades, the metal design on the pendant drops is an Art Nouveaux floral pattern
(Right) Detail of the fireplace mantle featuring Acanthus leaves, a common motif used in Roman and Greek architecture