Titanic: The Legacy Of A Leviathan

The first class grand staircase (above) was over 60 feet from the lower landing to the glass skyline above. It had a seventeenth century William and Mary style with solid oak engraved paneling running all the way around. At the foot of the stairs was a cherub light with a very distinctive wood carving embracing a clock.       

Titanic provided 39 private suites: 30 on the Bridge Deck and 9 on the Shelter Deck. The suites included bedrooms with private toilet facilities. All had up to five different rooms: 2 bedrooms, 2 wardrobe rooms and a bathroom. First class also held 350 cheaper standard cabins with single beds. The expensive and exclusive stateooms boasted excellent fittings. Each were decorated in different periodic styles including Queen Anne and Georgian.   

The reading and writing room was designed for use by traveling first class women. It was painted in white and furnished very elegantly. There was a huge bow window that enabled the occupiers to lookout on to the Promenade Deck. There was a large fire place intended to keep the room toasty for all passengers.

Towards the back of the Promenade Deck was a  very fine room. The walls of the first class Smoking Room were paneled in mahogany engraved in the Georgian style and were inlaid with mother of pearl. Above the centerpiece fireplace was a painting by Norman Wilkinson called the "Approach to the New World."Those who required an after dinner drink could find exactly what they wanted in the well stocked bar. The painted glass windows depicted many different ports from around the world, and other White Star Line ships.     

The Lounge was situated on the Promenade Deck and elaborately fitted out. This room was dedicated to reading, conversation, playing cards and other social interactions of the day. The craftsmanship was exquisite. The walls were covered with "boiseries" (elaborate wooden carvings ) which gave the room a divergent proportioned exterior.                

On the portside of the room was a small Verandah area, which led to the Palm Court areas overlooking the aft Promenade Deck. Walled trellises with climbing plants gave the impression that the room was part of a conservatory.

The first class passengers would certainly dine in style. Seating 532 passengers at once, it was the largest dining room ever seen on a ship. The room was decorated in attractive Jacobean style, and was painted in peanut white.  The designs were based on Hatton Hall and some very fine houses in Hatfield, England. The furniture was oak and designed to add luxury and comfort at all times

Behind the Grand Staircase was a spacious Reception Room .It was decorated in the Jacobean style and had a white ceiling and a dark rusty color carpet. Before dinner passengers could gather to discuss the day's activities aboard the ship. There were many floral patterned Grandfather Chairs to be found there.

Designed to

emulate a Parisian sidewalk café, this room was unique to the Titanic. With its French waiters and casual décor, the café was a popular spot.

Decorated with richly colored tiles, gilded beams and bronze lamps, the cooling room of Titanic’s Turkish baths was a wonderful and exotic fantasy

The pool or “swimming bath” was a novel feature of the accommodations for first class Vinolia soap on board, the titanic offers, “a higher standard of toilet luxury and comfort at sea”