Glynallyn Mansion in May

We recently had the pleasure of attending ‘Mansion in May’ a designer showhouse and gardens organized by The Women’s Association of Morristown Medical Center.

While interior photography wasn’t permitted the real design star of this showhouse has to be Glynallyn itself, the English Tudor Revival castle built between 1913 and 1917 by architect Charles I. Berg for the George Marshall Allen family.

The grand entrance portal as well as other elements where copied from Compton Wynyates in Warwickshire England. A sixteenth century castle visited by King Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I. A close look at the masonry details reveals the irregular handmade bricks used to impart a sense of age.

The elaborate brickwork patterns on the mansion’s sixteen different chimneys were also copied from the English castle. The attention to detail even extends to the roof where antiqued slates of uneven thickness were purposely designed to appear centuries old.

The massive stained glass window at the center of the façade also replicated from Compton Wynyates, lights the soaring Great Hall within, where a rolling wall panel opens to reveal a secret staircase of uneven stones leading down to a vaulted stone dungeon.

The estate’s 7.5 acres have been beautifully landscaped with a number of lush garden spaces that have an almost “Alice In Wonderland’ like effect against the Tudor architecture.

This charming water feature stands in the gardens behind the house overlooking the deep wooden glen.
 

Here another elegant water feature trickles at the center of a deep grotto-like garden from the 1920’s restored for the showhouse after years of neglect.

Water originally played an even bigger role in the garden design of Glynallyn, which once featured a moat complete with bridges and lushly landscaped island gardens.

A period photo from a 1922 Harpers Bazaar article shows lily pads floating in the moat surrounding the entrance to a romantic gothic cloister.

Extending along one side of the rear terrace here is the same dramatic cloister seen today with the moat filled in long ago.

On the other side of the cloister a knight stands guard next to an entrance of leaded stained glass.

The house features endless banks of leaded stained glass windows, many of which were purposely broken and repaired to again impart a sense of age. The same reason stucco between the half timbers was purposely chipped off in some corners exposing the brick beneath.

One of the finest windows on the house has to be this intricately carved two-story stone bay overlooking the terrace and glen.

Inside the 32,000 square foot manor a veritable army of interior designers and artists have created 41 inspiring environments from the aforementioned dungeon turned jazz club to Mr. Allen’s onetime photography studio tucked in the attic rafters.

The showhouse is open throughout the month of May and is a rare opportunity to experience one of Morristown's last surviving Gilded Age mansions never before opened for public tours all while supporting a worthy cause. And if you should find yourself in the market this finely crafted castle is currently for sale at the bargain price of 5.7 million.

Photos by KS&D.

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Gold Gilt and Rusted Iron

Something about the rusted patina on this antique wrought iron candelabra and sconces perfectly compliments the golden oak of the old Mission furniture.

Religious art and artifacts also lend themselves well to the mix; especially the deep orange background of a Spanish Colonial style painting of the Madonna and Child and a gold gilt triptych icon depicting the same theme.

Beneath the triptych sits an elaborately painted Indian jewelry box atop an elegant antique Egyptian Revival casket.

Flanking the oil painting is a charming pair of Staffordshire style lions, as well as saint figures that include a colorful vintage plaster statue of Saint Jude.

The other antique saint figure is carved from wood with a romantically distressed finish that includes traces of the original gold gilt. At his feet sits another golden relic, this one a wingless Victorian cherub, behind which the bold architectural scrollwork of a fragment of hand carved wood Rococo molding makes a unique and interesting vertical element.

Crowning the vignette is a tiny antique Roe Deer antler trophy signed by the hunter in a scrawling hand and dated 1898.

 Styling and photos by KS&D.

Vintage Hollywood Regency Lux

When we saw the Hermes orange hued silk damask covering the sensuous lines of this vintage Hollywood Regency sofa it seems we’d yet again found ourselves unable to resist temptation.

We’ve always had a thing for orange accessories from various throw pillows to an dusty orange velvet X-frame stool, but this conversation piece is the ultimate in vintage orange chic. The original 1960’s silk upholstery is in excellent condition and adds a major dose of that “Mad Men” inspired glamour so influential in design right now. The sexy rolled curve of the back is piled with cushions while the single cushion seat makes this showstopper as comfortable as a cloud.

Such an extravagant sofa called for a coffee table that could really hold its own and the eclectic vibe of this vintage Chinoiserie brass tray table featuring a bamboo detailed gallery along the edge seemed to fit the bill. More vintage brass, Italian Murano art glass, and gold gilt accessories increase the vignette’s warm golden glow. The oversized pillow is crafted from an antique tapestry depicting a flowering urn that echoes the urn pattern in the damask while the smaller accent pillow is striped silk taffeta, both are trimmed with a playful looped fringe passementerie.

Even the cabinet of curiosities seemed due for dressing up, now sporting a lavish bouquet of peacock feathers. The sofa does have one other trick up it’s sleeve but you’ll just have to check back soon to see for yourself!

Styling and photos by KS&D.

Tuscan Villa Interiors

We’ve had Italian country house style on the brain since our recent post featuring a pair of local Jazz Age Mediterranean villas, for a look at the real thing here are some interiors from one of the loveliest Italian estates on the market today.


In the entrance vestibule an intricate ceiling of delicate neoclassical scrollwork presides over a space simply furnished with a spare mirror and matching coat rack. A console displaying a few well-chosen accessories and a marble topped center table holding a simple arrangement of hydrangea adorn the space.


In the next room a spectacular trellis motif entwined with climbing vines covers the walls while a charming pair of corner cabinets display colorful ceramic serving pieces. The geometric tiled floor is one design of many throughout the house.


This hall features a more ornate floor pattern and yet more climbing vines, here used to ornament rows of dramatic double columns that separate the space from the glassed solarium. Between the pairs of columns are placed trees in enormous tubs that also help define the space but keep it light and airy as the real leaves blend with the painted ones trailing the columns. Casual wicker chairs in the foreground are similar to those we noted in the 1920’s photo of the drawing room in the previous post.


A closer look into the solarium reveals the beautiful windows accented with blue stained glass that echoes the floor tile pattern. The comfortable looking upholstered furniture is slip covered in a cheerful blue and yellow chintz giving the space a homey lived-in feel.


An enchanting dining room is swathed in trompe l’oeil drapery swags similar to those we noted in the galleries of Albemarle House, and lined with upholstered banquets piled with cushions.


This grand salon is also awash in trompe l’oeil drapery that creates a rich backdrop for an eclectic mix of furnishings. An oversized check on the sofas and windows brings both a casual country air and a graphic contrast to the lavishly swaged walls and marbleized architecture, while four large Chinese figures and a pair of intricate stools add a hint of Chinoiserie to the mix. Finally a brilliant mass of sunflowers is perhaps the perfect finishing touch for any Tuscan country interior.

All photos via Sotheby’s Realty.

Designing A Staircase Gallery Wall

Creating a well-balanced gallery wall can be challenging but putting the display on the diagonal is an entirely different story.


This staircase is lined with a dramatic display of classical prints mixed with Mid-Century Modern art that forms an eclectic backdrop for a small sitting area.


The orderly composition is centered on a large print depicting ruins of the Roman Forum flanked by antique Italian reverse hand painted art glass wall panels of delicate classical design.


The traditional brown leather rolled arm sofa is dressed up with a trio of throw pillows in orange, teal, and yellow Chinese silk, a fun spring/ summer color scheme that adds a dose of 60’s chic. In another nod to Mid-Century style a collection of vintage Murano art glass bowls pop on the cocktail table like blossoms of color, while antique and vintage brass accessories lend a metallic note to the end tables.

Vignette photos and staging by KS&D.

Art and accessories available HERE.

A Unique Antique Boutique

Browse the most eclectic mix of unique antique and vintage home accessories from the comfort and convenience of home! Enhance the design of any interior with Knickerbocker’s carefully curated collection of American, European, Asian, and African fine and decorative arts. Our ever-changing inventory features an array of objects and artifacts from Victorian to Mid-Century Modern including lamps, sconces, art pottery, fine china, porcelain, crystal, art glass, prints, oil paintings, sculpture, folk art, primitives, nautical décor, and much more!

Click HERE to shop our newest arrivals now!