Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

The SD team just got back from a fabulous tour at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.  We were all blown away by the space to say the very least.  Kim Rzemien, the rentals and events manager gave us the most incredible inside look into the classic museum as well as the new building which will be available for events starting in February 2012.  If you have not had the pleasure of visiting this museum it is an absolute must.  The venetian inspired courtyard in the original building is simply breathtaking, pictures cannot do it justice.  While the courtyard is enclosed, it still feels as if you are in an outside garden.  The center of the courtyard displays a gorgeous mosaic dating back to the the second century.  Surrounding the courtyard are hallways covered in Mexican tiles and John Singer Sargent's 'El Jaleo'  encompasses an entire wall.

A stroll from the original building to the new building takes you through a glass tunnel with gardens on either side.  The new building provides an elegant contrast to the palazzo style building next door.  The building has an entirely glass exterior and interior which provides guests with the unique perspective to see all throughout the space and the outdoors.  There are many rooms that guests can mill about during what Kim called a "roaming cocktail hour".  Between the two buildings the museum can accommodate 425 guests for an event such as this.

We absolutely LOVED the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, we will be going soon to browse the incredible galleries and hope to plan an event there soon!