Mansion In May 2014 Proposals and Boards
The Mansion in May is NJ most spectacular designer show house run by the Women’s Association Morristown Medical Center. This upcoming May will be the most impressive show house yet, since the Mansion chosen is the amazing Blairsden. It’s been a dream of mine to design a room for the Mansion in May so I have presented boards and now wait to hear if I have been chosen.
Coming up with inspiration for my designs are always based on my client, so when I design a show house I get to image any client I want. Taking the opportunity to be creative and unlimited I have chosen to design rooms for clients would I never be able to have in real life. Unrestricted by reality, I give you the design of a Vampire Study and an Angels Lounge.
My Vampire client, Eric, is 200 hundreds years old and immortal. He has a wonderful appreciation for antiques and yet fully embraces the modern technology and style of today. Eric is a wealthy, handsome man that blends in with our society. If not for a few photos of him throughout the ages where he looks the same age, one would not suspect a thing.
In this Study, Eric is perfectly at home in this dramatic and moody room. I have designed an eclectic mix of furnishings and accent pieces that play off the original embossed leather wall treatment and architectural moldings. The dark leather chesterfield sofa, contrasts against the clean lines of the side chairs, and the antique area rug grounds the space. A carved executive desk is placed behind the sofa with a high back wing chair. A carefully placed antique bar is on the far wall, with an ornate buffet cabinet near the sitting area.
The window treatments walk the line between traditional and contemporary as well. Traditional layered swags and jabots are done in a modern sheer print, with rich red silk drapery panels underneath. Then trim in classic beaded tassel fringe that finished off the look for an exquisite detailed effect.
The overall feel of the room is that of world traveled elegance and taste with hints of modern accents. There is unpredictability to the room which is a result of layering traditional and modern elements that keep guests intrigued and exploring every detail.
Angel’s Lounge
My other design is for a group of angels that travel all around the Earth and back and forth to Haven. They hired me to design a lounge that will act as a rest stop between missions. As gentle sensitive beings, I designed a space that has soft luxurious fabrics and a royal color scheme of purple, yellow, and some hits of blue that will allow them to feel at home.
A comfortable seating area consists of a large back less settee in a heavenly periwinkle print with lush throw pillows and two occasional chairs sit beside the fireplace. An antique oval coffee table nests in the middle of the sitting area and is anchored by a large traditional hand knotted rug that also ties the rooms color scheme together. There is a large bookcase on the back wall with items that they have collected from around the world. A beautiful hand painted buffet cabinet is decorated with lamps and a baroque mirror above it. There is a floor length mirror in the corner and a reading chair beside it.
The walls are painted in Benjamin Moore Banana Yellow with a large decorative infinity symbol in a stripe pattern, done in beautiful glass bead application. The ceiling is painting in an umbra effect going from purple to blue and getting lighter as it gets near the center of the room. The trim work is all done in a white gloss finish.
The window treatments are asymmetrical swag and jabot with a drapery panel tied back to one side. The fabric is gorgeous printed floral sheer that shimmer in the light and is edged in a dramatic tassel trim. The overall look is ethereal in nature, giving the room a touch of magic.
The overall feel of the room is light and airy as if a piece of heaven were here on Earth. The room is inviting in every way and makes guests want to stay to while and enjoy the sanctuary.
I look forward to hearing if I am one of the lucky designers to be selected to design a room for the Mansion in May. It would be my honor to do ether design for just about any room in this incredible mansion.
Heather McManus
Artistry Interiors