In the old days Robbie and his pals, Millard Sheets (a renowned artist), Muggs Van Sant (whose son Tom is also a renowned artist), Roger Williams, and Hiroshi Hiramoto would sit on this lanai and play cribbage. Robbie, Millard and Mugs would set up their easels in the morning, sketch in their drawings and then wait for the light to be perfect.

Plantation mangers were expected to accommodate visitors at their homes. Meals were formal affairs with servants, linens and silverware. The manager provided his own furniture. Robbie needed a dining room table that could seat 10 easily and 12 in a pinch. He purchased some koa wood and had it sent to Hong Kong to be made into a table and chairs. The sideboard belonged to Marjorie's grandmother a "pillar of society" in Hornellsville, New York.