Frederick Ayer Mansion

The Ayer Mansion includes exterior and interior mosaics by Tiffany, a rarity as he rarely did exterior design, and serves as the only existing example of his exterior work.  “At the Ayer Mansion, austere architectural forms and smooth surfaces provide a foil for the rich Near Eastern patterns and color combinations and for his experimental glass.  The street elevation of the light-colored granite-faced house, with its smooth, flat surfaces ornamented by bands of mosaic panels, introduced a modernizing aesthetic to Boston's Back Bay” (“History”).  

The home’s entrance is constructed of mosaic and stained glass, a noted Tiffany design element, including white marble wainscoting, mosaic star risers, and iridescent glass mosaics.  Now, the mansion is home to the Bayridge Residence and Cultural Center, “a nurturing and inspiring residence for single women attending undergraduate and graduate programs in the Boston area” (“History”).  Many of the original details of the home have been left intact and the mansion is available for public tours typically one Saturday and one Wednesday a month.