Rainy Days and Mondays: Finding Relaxation at Oaklea Mansion

Rain dripping from the trees

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down…” Those classic lyrics from The Carpenters always echo in my mind when the sky turns gray. And wouldn’t you know it, today is Monday, and it’s raining.

But unlike the song, rainy days don’t get me down. In fact, they stir my creativity. Rainy days are when I write my best blog posts, sketch my most thoughtful illustrations, and take a moment to simply breathe. As I sat on my porch sipping coffee this morning, the last of a gentle thunderstorm rolled away in the distance. I listened to the water drip from the roof onto my azaleas and thought: What must it be like to stay at Oaklea Mansion on a rainy day?

Let’s take a little daydream tour of Oaklea’s rooms, the perfect rainy day retreats.

The Grand Suite

 If you’re a fan of porch sitting with coffee in hand, the Grand Suite is where you’ll want to be. This is the most extensive suite at Oaklea Mansion and features a stately antique brass bed, a cozy seating area with an electric fireplace, and a spacious en-suite bathroom with a large jacuzzi tub and vanity. Best of all? Balcony access that overlooks the koi pond. Imagine curling up with a book or your laptop, listening to the rain tap against the balcony rail as inspiration flows just as easily as your second cup of coffee.

The Eastlake Suite

 Also on the second floor is the romantic and spacious Eastlake Suite. This room is a cozy haven for rainy morning breakfasts in bed, featuring a beautifully carved Victorian Eastlake bed and matching settee and chairs. The bathroom offers a turn-of-the-century clawfoot tub and shower—ideal for a relaxing soak. At the same time, the storm serenades you from the other side of the window. This suite was formerly known as the Ima Hogg Suite, as the famed philanthropist often stayed here during her visits. One wonders what she might have enjoyed on a rainy day at Oaklea, perhaps journaling, painting, or simply enjoying good company.

The Victorian Suite

 Prefer a smaller, more intimate retreat? The Victorian Suite may be your perfect match. With a queen-sized bed nestled between large windows that filter in soft, rainy-day light, this room invites you to take a restful nap or enjoy a quiet read. The suite features an antique Eastlake settee and chair, and the bathroom boasts a 1914 clawfoot tub original to the house, along with a stand-alone shower. Tucked away with a private back stairway entrance, this suite is perfect for guests who value quiet, cozy solitude.

The English Oak Suite

 Up on the third floor, where the rain is loud enough to soothe but gentle enough to relax, you’ll find the charming English Oak Suite. This cozy retreat features a stunning antique English Oak bedroom set and a beautiful dove stained-glass window overlooking the north grounds. When raindrops hit that glass, the effect is almost poetic.

English Oak suite

The Cathedral Suite

 The smallest suite at Oaklea may just be the coziest. With its charming round window on the front drive, the Cathedral Suite gives off warm, playhouse vibes. It’s the room where you can curl up with a favorite blanket and listen to the rain roll off the oak trees, just enough background noise for deep thinking or peaceful daydreaming.

The French Suite

 Want a room that sparks creativity and comfort in equal measure? The French Suite might be your favorite, just like it is mine. It features a lovely sitting area perfect for writing postcards, journaling, or working on your laptop. With two cozy twin beds and lots of charm, it feels like the room I would have loved as a child, especially on a rainy day.

Whether rain makes you want to write, nap, read, sketch, or simply listen, there’s a perfect place for you at Oaklea Mansion. So the next time you hear thunder rumble in the distance and see clouds gathering above Winnsboro, consider it your invitation to slow down and stay awhile.

Rainy days and Mondays?

We’ve got the perfect suite for that.