Interior Decorating Inspired by a Designer’s Showcase House

It is September on Long Island, which means another opportunity to visit an exquisite Gold Coast mansion with rooms and spaces uniquely decorated by various interior designers.

This annual Designers’ Showcase began in the 1970’s by “Mansions and Millionaires.” At that time, the magnificent Gold Coast mansions of the turn of the 19th to 20th century were merely desired by developers for the immense property that they sat upon.

"Millionaires and Mansions" originally started their endeavor to restore the mansions in order to save their historical value and present the historical gems to the community. The public has had the opportunity to visit many mansions through the last forty years, including Mill Neck Manor, Caumsett, Oheka and the Woolworth Mansion.

This year gives us the occasion to visit Chestnut Manor, at 1327 Wolver Hollow Road, Upper Brookville.

The Rooms and Spaces reflect this year’s trends:

Neutral Grays and Taupe

• Not just for the kitchen this year, these are great base colors can be used for any room. Check out the master suite with beautiful murals by Philip Jordan and Cathy Chiavaro.

Texture, Sparkle and Mixing Patterns

• Texture is big this year; Leva Visconti Designs reflects texture in their man cave on the third floor. Sparkle is evident in Designer Anna Lombardi’s Bedroom. She has Swarovski crystals sewn into the duvet, and shams with a centerpiece chandelier as well as crystals attached to the ceiling for more dimension. The room sparkles with an understated beautiful design. The bed sits on a window wall dressed in ceiling to floor simply floating neutral drapery.

• Mixed patterns are evident in the Kitchen designed by Tarasoff Interiors.

Shots of Color

• Ethan Allens Room is neutral with blasts of blue. Rona Levine’s room gives us a fun lime green color to enliven her room.

Repurposing

• Patti Johnson repurposes old frames as wall art in the dressing room. Interesting empty frames painted in a single color to dress a wall adds texture and interest. Check out my articles, http://www.examiner.com/interior-design-32-in-new-york/carol-ruth-weber?page=8 and http://www.examiner.com/interior-design-in-new-york/abode-d-cor-think-reclaimed-recycled-repurposed-and-renewable for inspiration.

Mixing Contemporary with Traditional

• This is a hot trend now. Many of the rooms reflect this. Rona Levine mixed the lime green color and drapery with a traditional table and sofa.

Feng Shui Influences

• Jeanie Ziering brings in traditional Asian influence and mixes two chairs and two circular banquet seats around a circular dining table. To educate yourself further on the art of Feng Shui, see my article.

Chestnut Manor’s Designers’ Showcase 2011 takes place from Saturday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 30.

Tuesday-Friday              10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday          11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Columbus Day, 10/10     11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Closed Mondays, except Columbus Day, Oct. 10.

Tickets are $30.00 for adults, $28.00 for seniors and $7.00 for children 5 to 12 years.

Please do not be offended when told that children under 5 years and strollers are not allowed.

For further information, call 516 277-2156 or visit the Web site.

This showcase is a great day out. Take a stroll on the beautiful property. Check out the cool décor. See a magnificent mansion from a grand era. The Gold Coast is on the North Shore of Nassau County overlooking the Long Island Sound. Take a drive to see the local architecture and to have a nice lunch by the water.

After visiting the Designers Showcase stop by Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, Long Island’s premier public arboretum and historic site located in Oyster Bay, New York.

Another former Gold Coast estate, the arboretum is comprised of 409 acres of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths and outstanding plant collections. See another Gold Coast manor, Coe Hall, a 65-room Tudor Revival mansion. Coe Hall is open for tours spring through fall.

Enjoy the nice weather, relax and be inspired. Never be afraid to dance!

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