Chaletmomma

I am so fortunate to visit the wonderful Designer Showhouse and Gardens Mansion in May. I was just there Saturday May 13th. I always visit with my sister Noreen and this time her daughter Christina and sister in law Vicki joined us.

Today I’m sharing the tours I’ve attended over the years.

Admission ticket for one self-guided tour of the Mansion May 1 - May 31, 2023 $50 per person. I’m sharing a few images - I took tons but, you really must go!

The sink in the Pool Bath is a piece of furniture the designer had lined in cooper! Brilliant!

The home is stunning - set in the glorious Mendham, NJ. They have a tasty Cafe and Boutiques for a bit of shopping! We had a joyous day!

Last month my sister and I enjoyed a lecture about Three Fields sponsored by Mendham Borough Library. It was wonderful. The model of the estate is on display in the library through the end of May.

The Mansion in May was instituted in 1974 with all monies benefiting the Morristown Medical Center. Click here for this years Media Kit.

In 2020 the Show House and Garden Tour was moved to September.

2017 Alnwick Hall - The Abby my sister and I were joined by our cousin Sharon.

2014 Blairsden was magnificent. My husband found a book Great Houses and Gardens of New Jersey with Blairsden included and gifted it to me.

2012 Glynallyn before camera phones - the home had a gorgeous spaces and the shops were delightful.

2010 Fawn Hill Farm

2008 Froh Heim I own a beautiful shell from a display. All items in the showhouse are for purchase.

2003 Cross Estate

The first showhouse I attended was the 2001 Ellerslea estate.

I still have this sweet card on my desk from Ellerslea. I clearly remember the entry hall of the home from 2001.

I truly enjoy these events it’s lovely to be inspired by wonderful and imaginative interiors but, the best part is sharing the day with family.

Til next time be well friends. I’ll see you over on Instagram I post Sunday, Wednesday and Friday and in-between don’t miss my stories!

Images: Mansion in May & Me

Friends if you follow along on Instagram than you will have seen I added a book to the permanent collection here at the Chalet. The book is a reprint of the 1961 Better Homes and Gardens DECORATING BOOK.

I was chatting with a friend Lynn Byrne who is lucky enough to have her mothers’ original 1961 wire bound edition and during this chat I decided it would be a fun to take a bit of a dive and share with you.

The wire bound workbooks editions were published in 1956, 1961, 1968 and 1975. A hardcover edition of Better Homes and Gardens DECORATING IDEAS in 1960 and Better Homes and Gardens CREATIVE DECORATING on a Budget in 1970.

Who better than Better Homes and Gardens which was founded in 1922 by Edwin Meredith under the title Fruit, Garden and Home to assist young homeowners. The books were guides to decorating with confidence and included schematics.

1956

Images from the 1956 edition.

1956 page 3 (possibly used again later but, doubtful).JPG

1961

Images from the 1961 edition.

1968

Images from the 1968 edition.

1975

Images from the 1975 edition.

Here is an earlier hardcover edition.

1960

This 1970 hard cover is a title I’ve only seen here.

1970

Better Homes and Gardens NEW DECORATING BOOK offered readers design guidelines and reflected modern mixing of styles organized in two sections. The first filled with room by room decorating guides. The second organized by topic: color, furniture arrangement, flooring, lighting, etc. Like it’s predecessors it included workbook style illustrations to assist in completing any space and was published in 1981, 1990, 1997, 2003, 2007 and 2011.