York Town News
Inviting Mayfair set to open as 18th Old York Decorator Show House
By Rose Safran
View PhotosYORK HARBOR - What a transformation!
Twenty-four designers primarily from Maine and New Hampshire have been involved in creating interesting and varied interior spaces in this year's Old York Decorator Show House, "Mayfair," a 1903 York Harbor shingle-style summer "cottage" built by Henry Blanchard Dominick, president of the New York silversmith firm of Dominick and Haff.
The name "Mayfair" is new to this York Street residence and was selected by the Old York staff; it was one of the flatware patterns produced by Dominick and Haff. Several decorators have included aspects of the "silver" concept in their decorating ideas.
Those who saw "Mayfair" prior to its current renovation are in for many surprises. One significant improvement in the original design has been to extend and rebuild the dominant and beautiful central staircase to the third floor, remaining loyal to the original woods and style as well as providing attractive access to a top floor space with distant views to the Isle of Shoals - on a clear day.
This "attic" area now accommodates a landing filled with Jay Goldsmith photographs, a small bath by Standard of New England and a cheerful "Au Pair Retreat" - a small, but comfortable bright pink and green room filled with clever touches by decorator Cindy Francis of CF Interiors. Particularly noteworthy is a highly original magnetic wall calendar-style reminder for the baby's au pair - all mounted on a space that otherwise might have served no function.
Across the hall, "Addison's Nursery" by Marie Caswell of Redefine Design, also pink and green - a nice coincidence, one of many where decorators' ideas seem to blend, creating a good flow from one room to another - has a convertible crib; that is, as baby Addison grows, so does her bed in a sort of pullout way.
Down a flight of stairs, the second floor is spacious enough for introducing contemporary concepts into a traditional house; these include a laundry room - so much more sensible upstairs - with red walls and black appliances complete with extra sink, a great idea, and a sewing area by Flash Designs as well as a guy-style place: a media room with sensible brown-upholstered furniture by Ethan Allen.
Of course, the second floor is where you'll find the master suite featuring, in a quiet corner, a pleasant wheat-toned master sitting room filled with desk, books and lounging created by Marcye Philbrook and, adjacent, a walk-in closet filled with all sorts of clever surprises as well as practical items such as guest blankets.
Opposite is Accent & Design's tasteful master bedroom, its soft ice-blue walls complimented by a bedspread of cream hydrangeas on pale blue as well as paintings by Connie Hayes and Gail Spaen; beyond is the master bath, which has one of the best views from this chamber, with decorative murals by Brookwood Designs reflecting the ocean scheme of the bedroom as well as the beige tones of recently installed fixtures.
Decorated with colorful original paintings by York Art Association member Barbara Heinz, a Maine native and former art teacher who paints landscapes, portraits, still-life and seascapes, the second floor hallway leads to a subdued - brown, mauve and beige comfortable guest bedroom and bath area planned by Lori Eberhaardt-Rahill and Dawn Dube as well as to the children's rooms: the girl's inspired by the daughter of designer Yvonne Ramirez Steffenberg of YRS Interiors and containing a daybed with a pullout trundle and a custom desk for a laptop and the boy's by Finnian's Moon, with touches of stars and moon finials embellishing an otherwise conventional Shaker bed.
Passing the second floor landing sitting area furnished by The Upper Deck, descending the stairs to the centrally located first floor reception hall and turning left, leads to a quiet corner study in lavenders, blues and greens created by Diane Hughes Interiors. It's called "Madam's Study" and has some noteworthy pieces of custom-made furniture including fine-finished tiger maple. Also off the reception hall is the living room by Boehm Graham, understated, a gray-and-white showcase, testimony to the theory that less is more. Silver accents carry out the "Mayfair" theme here.
Across the hall is the dining room, elegantly handled by Inspired Interiors, affording both formal and informal dining with pink and beige tones, decorative Chinese landscape wallpaper, interesting window treatments and a lovely chandelier. The kitchen and pantry are off the dining room; Elaine Jackson of Diane Hughes Interiors has used bright yellow and black for a dominant and cheerful decorating theme and accented the area with furniture and accessories from R. Jorgensen Antiques.
Outside, York's Fiona's Porch has filled Mayfair's spacious veranda with a selection of weather-resistant rattan furniture suitable to the period of the house and comfortable for various members of the family, and landscape designer Jacquelyn Nooney of JNL promises to add flowers and plants to the scene.
The Willows of Exeter, N.H., is running a boutique with decorative items for sale and many items in the decorator rooms are also for sale.
Mayfair opens to the public this Saturday, July 14, and will remain open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. through Aug. 11. The Show House is closed on Tuesdays. Tickets are $20 and include $2 off the admission price for the Museums of Old York. Tickets are available at the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce in York and at the door.
