Big Changes Coming!

Yes, it has undoubtedly been a very long time since I've posted -- too long to be sure. But, I've spent the last several months doing amazing things, working with fabulous clients, friends, and mentors. I finished my tenure at Meg Braff Designs in August and it was with such sweet sorrow. I knew it was time to go out on my own, but to leave such dear friends and open my own firm seemed a daunting task! But, I had no time to worry as I was completely immersed in preparations for a wonderful designer showcase at Friends of Sands Point Hempstead House. The old Gold Coast mansion, or Castle as it's known, that was home to the Guggenheim family. The Marriage Suite I created was a smashing success and we attracted over two thousand guests to the house and raised much awareness for the preservation of the estate. It was such a pleasure to meet visitors who were so knowledgeable & passionate about the estate and other Gold Coast mansions here on Long Island. We were also featured in The New York Times, Newsday, and House Magazine multiple times; a nice bonus. It was a fantastic first experience with a designer showcase and I look forward to doing it again this year! I also had the privilege of meeting Alexa Hampton once again for the signing of her new book; Decorating in Detail - a must read! Thank goodness for Facebook as it's provided me an avenue for quick posts and updates as to what has been going on since my last blog post. I also enjoyed attending both NYNOW Gift Shows in the city and seeing all the new and fun things the market has to offer and meeting the wonderful vendors (I do feel though that the January show seems to be a re-hash of what I saw in August; something to remember next year). I definitely look forward to attending High Point this Spring! Finally, as I embark on yet another aspect of my design journey and move towards creating a new web page, enjoy a few of my memorable moments from the last few months. Enjoy!

Gatsby Styled

I can't wait until The Great Gatsby comes to the theatre May 10! I'm as excited about the wonderful sets and designs as I am the actual portrayals of Gatsby and Daisy.  Being a huge fan of art deco design and of course, the whole notion of the Long Island's Gold Coast that F. Scott Fitzgerald was portraying, what's not to like? In Luhrmann's movie, Daisy's home was based on Old Westbury and Gatsby's was based on Oheka Castle. Love, love, love!  Here's a sneak peak from Architectural Digest - Enjoy!

  All Images Courtesy of www.architecturaldigest.com

saving Tiffany

Louis Comfort Tiffany that is.  If you get the chance to visit Winter Park, Florida (approximately 5 miles north of Orlando for you Disney fans) please take the opportunity to do so.  The Morse Museum in Winter Park holds the remains of one of Long Island's lost treasures of the Gold Coast; Tiffany's Laurelton Hall.  Laurelton Hall has been called Tiffany's greatest work of art, having been built between 1902 and 1905 and destroyed by fire in 1957.  The once grand 37,000 square foot home that Tiffany nutured for over 20 years is the expression of Tiffany's love of nature and his art.  Many Long Island boaters can see the only remaining structure from the once 600-acre estate in the form of the smokestack from the power house or as we call it, the tower, that stands tall above the harbor in Cold Spring, the spot where many of us raft up for July 4th and marvel at what was once up on shore.

 The Morse Museum exhibition features the recently restored Daffodil Terrace from Laurelton Hall and approximately 250 objects from or related to the estate. These include prize-winning leaded-glass windows, iconic Tiffany lamps, custom furnishings, as well as art glass and pottery in Tiffany’s personal collection. The artist directed every facet of the estate’s construction, from the room interiors and architectural details to an extensive scheme of gardens and fountains. In addition to the terrace, the 10 new galleries at the Morse showcase surviving components of Laurelton Hall’s dining room, living room, and reception hall—also known as the Fountain Court—as well as other rooms, creating a uniquely immersive experience.

The Morse Museum exhibition opened February 19th and is especially timely given the impending demise of the beautiful mansion, Land's End in Sands Point, Long Island, (said to have been F. Scott Fitzgerald's inspiration for Daisy Buchanan's home in The Great Gatsby) only days away. This exhibition is truly a unique opportunity to see some of the glory that was once Laurelton Hall from Long Island's Gold Coast and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

P.S. If Long Island's Gold Coast intrigues you, please visit my favorite site http://www.oldlongisland.com/ and Enjoy!

all images via http://morsemuseum.org/