Twenty years ago I thought I had reached the pinnacle of my career in interior home design and decor when British Cottage was among the chosen for the first Stately Homes-by-the-Sea, a showhouse fundraiser located in a unique, historical, multi-million dollar estate on the Rumson peninsula.
Never mind that the house was a crumbling, long-neglected pile with out-dated plumbing, crumbling plaster and peeling paint. Its bones were solid, concrete in fact, its reception rooms generous and filled with light and all three floors chock full of nooks and crannies crying for attention.
It was love at first sight for me in the fall of 2006 when local, and not so local designers, retail furniture stores and antique dealers were invited to tour the mansion before applying for a spot. Keith and I were strategic in our plan–we knew we were facing tough competion.
So we opted for and secured (yes!) a small, dark room on the second floor, just steps from the spacious, light-filled family bedrooms but miles apart in terms of charm and roominess. However we thought it was perfect for us and perfect for our imaginary occupant: the household’s au pair. (We once employed the daughter of a family friend from England, and imagined this family of means might do the same).
Our au pair (think a young Princess Di) would have an inate sense of style and the owners would give her carte blanche to forage through the spacious attics–naturally filled to the brim with a hundred years of heirlooms and castoffs– resulting in an altogether charming, yet surprisingly sophisticated room of her own.
With a flourish of fresh primrose, splashes of minty green and wild strawberry our room evoked an English cottage garden. Careful lighting enhanced the mood. During the day sunlight filtered through the soft fabrics embracing the windows and a collection of table lamps and a fabulous antique chandelier gave a glittery shimmer at night.
Our furnishings were a mix. A full-sized Britsh Cottage bed in a bold, antiqued black anchored the space and we added a large wicker chair with puffy cushions for snuggling young ‘uns, an Oriental lacquered chest of drawers for an Asian twist, and hugged the walls with art and objets that attested to a totally English albeit global sensibility. Cosmopolitan, yet cozy, our bedroom was bursting with vintage chic and very much at home in this elegant country house.
But that was twenty years ago. Our imagined au pair would be in her forties now and the real-life home’s owner is moving on. Last week this missive from Pam Girard, our local doyenne of estate dismantling appeared in our mail box:
Tue, Jun 23 at 8:51 AM
RUMSON ESTATE SALE – SCOTHIGH FARM – 142 Bingham Ave.
JUNE 26, 27, & 28
A true estate sale on an amazing piece of property offering many different and unusual items. If you’re looking for interesting pieces to furnish your home, do not miss this sale. Dining table with 12 chairs, early 1900’s Hepplewhite buffet, marble top french pastry table, Vanucci Rosewood & black crocodile leather bow front side chest, Jhula handcrafted teak wooden outdoor swing, 60″ wood pedestal table with 6 french cane back chairs, Restoration Hardware metal aviator Blackhawk desk, 2 chartreuse leather chairs w/brass studs, outdoor cement statuary and tables, cast aluminum table and chair set, several outdoor round tables w/chairs. Pair of 2 hexagon leather drumstools, period highboy, Hilario Alejos Madrigal Santa Fe jars, Chinese console table, sofas, oriental carpets, butler’s tray table, console tables, hunt board console table, many large blue and white pottery pieces, marble and brass twig base coffee table, statement mirrors, pairs of upholstered chairs, area rugs,large collection of vintage and antique framed prints and oils, secretary, set of twin green metal beds, queen wood bed w/linen inset headboard, large Mission oak island/table, several high quality iron & glass coffee tables, Bowflex treadmill, BXT216, 2 Maitland Smith desks, side tables, kitchenware, large leather ottoman, antique quilt rack, fireplace tools & screens, lg brass fender/w/leather top, 2 leather wing chairs, 2 leather occassional chairs, 2 white matching loveseats, 1 Pottery Barn playhouse bunk bed, 2 William Sonoma playhouse beds, Brass full bed, white metal canopy full bed,several chest of drawers, vanities, demilune chest, antique pine tall cupboard, loveseat w/matching swivel chair, 3 settee wood and fabric couches, Antique carved teak with marble inlay settee, huge collection of framed art, lamps, toys, clothing and much more.
Oh no! was my first reaction. The last time we got a call to a sale like this, that historic one-of-a-kind waterfront home was reduced to rubble just weeks later. So the good news is this house will stay; it is the occupants who are changing– and evidently not keeping the vast quantities of home goods that accumulate when square footage, and possibly budget, is not an issue.
The last thing I need is more stuff but I had to go to the sale just to see one more time, this wonderful house that I loved so much.
Photo courtesy of the Jamie Oliver Family Facebook page.