By Charley Falkenburg, Special to the Packet
Walls of warm, airy grays surrounded a king-sized canopy bed dressed in cozy linens of cotton, silk and velvet. Above it, a silver wreath made of magnolia leaves preserved in silk glinted; before it, a shiny white table housed a neat stack of Dior magazines.
The sun spilled in from the high-arched windows, dousing the room in light and causing the pops of silver décor to gleam. Nearby, there was a mini bar that would make even Don Draper of "Mad Men" jealous with its shiny goblets and well-stocked bottles of Glenlivet, Maker’s Mark and Dom Perignon.
However, the room didn’t always ooze luxe, Fifth Avenue loft. Just a few weeks ago, it was just one of three traditional guest rooms at 159 Library Place — until designers Jennifer Poe and Marlene Freeman of Rittenhouse Home stepped in and morphed into the "Shades of Grey" paradise.
"The room was a mustard yellow and we wanted to brighten up," explained Ms. Poe. "We wanted to make it into sort of like a bedroom oasis, a getaway."
The ladies of Rittenhouse Home were part of the 15 local designers and landscape architects featured in the Junior League of Greater Princeton (JLGP)’s 2014 Designer Showhouse and Gardens, which kicked off on Nov. 13.
For more than 30 years, the JLGP’s signature fundraising event has taken various local homes and given local designers and architects the greatest kind of gift: a space to makeover however they wished.
"We’re helping to improve our community while highlighting the talents in the area that we have right here," said Pam Walker, the president of JLGP. "People are able to get inspired and take away great design ideas while learning about what we do to help women and children in the greater Mercer County."
This time, the 109-year-old brick Georgian at 159 Library Place became the League’s 18th residence for its Designer Showhouse, which is held every other year. This year also marks the Showhouse’s first ever holiday edition, where the designers were tasked with jazzing up their spaces in a way to reflect their unique takes on the holidays under a three-week deadline.
"It’s a great twist on the Showhouse," added Ms. Walker. "It gives us the opportunity to showcase the designers’ talents in another way."
From festive red and green pillows and fireplaces lined with Christmas lights to banisters wrapped in garlands bedecked in real artichokes, apples and succulents, the 15 spaces and outside garden areas had a taste of holiday cheer for all sorts of decorating enthusiasts.
For example, designer Michael Herold primed the traditional living room for the ultimate contemporary holiday party with open windows, a large, black curved sofa, a chandelier of sputnik stars, music and tree dressed in silver.
Designer Susan Taylor of Black-eyed Susan created a bibliophile’s dream with her take on the library, incorporating paperbacks in new ways such as tablecloths and Christmas tree ornaments. Several people explored the room, checking out the shelves and the various white candles, which flickered with pseudo remote-controlled flames. One was Shelley Rosenberg of Bucks County who was eyeing the plush corduroy couch and gold wallpaper.
"I have been to a number of Showhouses — it’s always interesting to walk through and get ideas, especially when you’re decorating your own home," she added.
Many of the furnishings were for sale as were the works of art featured in the master bedroom-turned-Pop-Up Art Gallery. Folks were even able to get a head start on their holiday shopping in the Holiday Cabana Boutique. The former sunroom had turned into a holiday shop, filled with grab-and-go holiday trinkets, stocking stuffers and gifts ranging from mini Santa dolls to reindeer table accessories.
"There’s something here that fits the bill for anyone on your holiday list or your Thanksgiving table," added Shelby Tewell of Hopewell who was manning the store with Princetonian Jenn Brandt.
There was also the Junior League Community Giving Tree, which was decorated with ornaments made by the children in the JLGP’s community program partners The Cherry Tree Club Nursery School and Better Beginnings. All the ornaments were for sale, with the proceeds going back into the League’s community children’s initiatives.
"It really ties in the holidays with the reason why we’re all here," explained Ms. Walker.
The Showhouse also featured a special visit from designer and author Coleen Christian Burke, who has been helping decorate the White House for the holidays since 2008. Ms. Burke arrived on Nov. 15 for an exclusive signing of her book "Christmas With the First Ladies" as well as to provide some iconic First Lady holiday decorating tips ranging from Jackie Kennedy’s signature ornaments to the go-to themes of Michelle Obama. She also talked about what it’s really like to work with 18-foot Christmas trees and archways that scale 30 feet off the ground.
"I had no idea what I was getting myself into," laughed Ms. Burke. "I was watching HDTV with my kids one night and I said ‘oh, I’m going to this one day.’"
Not long after that, Laura Bush’s florist called her up and she was on her way to Washington, D.C.
"I thought it was a joke," recalled Ms. Burke. "It was like hitting the decorating lottery."
Over the course of the eight-day event, JLGP officials expect around 3,000 people to come out and explore the house. Upcoming tours are running from Thursday, Nov. 20 to Sunday, Nov. 23. All tours start at 11 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. except for Nov. 21, which runs until 8 p.m.
"This is a wonderful show and it’s a great way to showcase local designers and bring attention to all the good work the JLGP does," said Ms. Freeman, who is also a JLGP member. "This is the most beautiful property in Princeton and we’re delighted and grateful to the community for supporting our endeavors."
