York Town News
Old York chooses Mayfair as 18th Decorator Show House
By Jennifer L. Saunders
The 104-year-old Mayfair in York Harbor has been chosen as the site of the Old York Historical Society's Decorator Show House, scheduled to open to the public in July and August. The house is currently being restored, and designers will begin their work in May.
Courtesy photo
YORK HARBOR - Back in October, a grand home, located only a short walk's distance from Harbor Beach, was sold at an on-site estate auction for a total of just over $1 million.
Now, just five months later, this quintessential York Harbor home will join a long line of other graceful houses and estates from York Harbor, York Village, York Beach and Cape Neddick as the latest home to be selected as Old York Historical Society's Decorator Show House.
Located on nearly one acre of land on York Street in York Harbor, the gambrel-style home contains more than a dozen rooms.
"Old York Historical Society is excited to have the 1903 estate, Mayfair, which was built by the silversmith H. Blanchard Dominick of Dominick and Haff of New York City, as its 2007 Decorator Show House," said Cheryl Farley of Old York Community Relations in her announcement of the selection.
When the Show House opens this summer, it will mark the 18th annual event, a key fundraiser for Old York and an opportunity from designers from York and across New England - and sometimes even from around the world - to transform the places and spaces within and around a special York house into truly unique examples of how old and new can meld together into a home.
"The immense estate, located on Route 1-A in York Harbor, features thirty-one spaces, where attention to detail made this one of the more prominent homes in the area," Farley noted in the recent announcement of Mayfair's selection as the Show House.
According to Old York, the name Mayfair comes from one of the silver patterns designed by Dominick and Haff. The silversmith who built this historic York home was a contemporary of the acclaimed Tiffany and other prominent figures of the late 19th century.
And while Mayfair will not open to the public until July, Farley noted that the work of the Show House Committee is already underway and the imaginations of potential designers are already being inspired by the home.
"An open house in early February allowed designers to choose their first- and second-choice rooms and submit detailed proposals," Farley explained. "The selection committee is currently reviewing all submitted proposals for space designation."
The committee will base its decisions on the quality of each design and the cohesiveness of individual proposals with other design schemes, she explained. Designers will then begin their work in early May in anticipation of the Decorator Show House Opening Gala on July 13 - and the full month of public visits that will follow.
And what's in the works for this year's gala? Old York is not giving away all the details, but Farley did note that the plan includes an outdoor garden party, featuring live music by Seacoast favorite Straight Lace, complete with full refreshments and the chance to dance under the tent. As in years past, guests at the opening gala will be the very first members of the public to see the Decorator Show House and will be able to meet the designers.
Following the gala, Mayfair will open to the public on July 14 with public hours every day but Tuesday, through Aug. 11.
For more information about Mayfair, the 18th Old York Decorator Show House, visit www.oldyork.org or call 363-4974.
