Antiquarian Adolphe Audrain , who owned Restmere from 1909 to 1919 before retiring to France to protest Prohibition , left behind countless treasures : French doors , a Baccarat crystal chandelier , a medieval limestone mantel and rare antique lighting fixtures .
“ I like to say we bought the antiques ,” Hackett says , “ and they threw in the house for free .”
Perhaps the most amazing find was a ribcage shower made of nickel , which they found in pieces in the master bathroom . It took a team of three plumbers three weeks to put the rarity together .
Whenever they needed an element during renovation , the couple first went shopping in the basement , where old doors , shutters , windows and various pieces of hardware were stored . They complemented the French treasures and salvaged pieces with a mix of vintage finds and antique store treasures .
“ Some people rescue dogs ,” Hackett says . “ We rescue china and linens .”
Call it serendipity : Hackett discovered Audrain ’ s ownership of the house during her sleuthing . Turns out , Grosvenor had just helped transform Newport ’ s Audrain Building , which Audrain commissioned in 1903 to house his antiquities shop , into the Audrain Automobile Museum .
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JUNE 2022 91