YONKERS, NY.- This season, the six period rooms of Glenview, the
Hudson River Museums Gilded Age home on the National Register of Historic Places, are decked out for the holidays in full Victorian splendor through December 31, 2017. The Library, Parlor, Great Hall, Sitting Room, Dining Room, and the Billiard Roomwill be hung with garlands, baubles, and trees in every room. Each room is defined by a specific color schemethe Parlor, for example, is characterized by teal, royal blue, and chartreuse hues that play off the stuffed peacock that sits by the mantlepiece. Conceived by designer Bob Pesce, and generously supported by Jan Adelson, the arrangements use a combination of traditional Victorian elements such as kissing balls, wreaths, and period toys from the collection, along with designs that boast a contemporary flair, such as a rainbow-colored tree in the Great Hall.
New this year, the Dining Room in Glenview will be decorated with a traditional Victorian Christmas table setting designed by interior designer Debra Blair. Blairs display highlights the elaborate meals of the Gilded Age, and the dining room table will be set for a large holiday gathering. A seven-course mealfrom appetizers to fruit, nuts, and cheesewill be accompanied by appropriate period utensils, large candlesticks, and a soup tureen. New Damask slipcovers are being fabricated for the dining room chairs. Completing the holiday party atmosphere, a display of cigars and brandy will be in the Library. Blair is a trustee of the Hudson River Museum and founder and principal of Debra Blair Design, which provides a full range of design services for both residential and commercial clients, including the executive offices of Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette; the Adelson Galleries; and the new Members Reading Room at the New York Society Library. Blair has been invited to participate in numerous charitable events and designer show houses, including the Kips Bay Designers Show House in New York, 2002 and 2005.
In addition to these festive decorations, Darren Scala, owner of D. Thomas Fine Miniatures, has partnered with local professional artists to create miniature holiday decor in Nybelwyck Hall, a 24-room dollhouse located in the Billiard Room of Glenview. His arrangement includes a della Robbia-inspired wreath, garland, and topiaries created by Scala with Sharon Harbison and Donald Morcone, which surround the front door. There is also a holiday feast underway in the kitchen and dining room with a cheese board by Sharon Harbison, and holiday dessertsplum pudding by The Petite Provision Co., pumpkin pie by Sara Smilnak, and three gingerbread houses by May Burnett. Additional embellishments are provided by Tiny Dwellings, Manuela Michieli of Mini Made in Italy, Jen Rothstein of DogMa Creations, Debbie Wood of RibbonWood Cottage, and miniaturist Cassie Leigh.
Glenview is open to the public by Guided Tours Wednesday - Sunday at 1 & 3pm and Saturday & Sunday, 12 - 5pm.