Spring Decorator Showhouses

Anthony Albert Studios

Every spring, all over the country, dozens of local interior designers are invited to participate in decorator showhouses. For an entry fee that starts around $30, you can tour the varied rooms and view the work of today’s best design talent, find mountains of decorating inspiration, discover tons of fabric and furniture resources, and immediately shop in the onsite boutiques. Here’s how it works: Designers bid on a room and if selected, they propose a design concept. Once the work begins they usually have about 30 days to complete the entire room. Designers fund their projects by seeking sponsorships, borrowing furniture or via self-financing. Proceeds from the entry fees go to a local charity, school, hospital or arts organization. Looking for decorating advice? Head to one of these nearby showhouses.

Jennifer McGee Designs 2011 Designer Showhouse of NJ

The Sixth Annual Designer Showhouse of New Jersey, located at 27 Denison Drive in Saddle River, N.J. will be open to the public for six weeks from Sunday, April 29 to Sunday, June 10, 2012 (closed on Mondays). The Designer Showhouse of New Jersey is very happy to announce that Traditional Home magazine is the 2012 National Media Sponsor. Approximately 25 top interior and landscape designers from New York and New Jersey will transform a luxurious New Jersey home into a decorating masterpiece. Additional attractions include the Showhouse Boutique and Personal Touch Caterers Café. Designers include Ridgewood’s Jennifer McGee Designs, Wostbrock Home, and Ulrich Kitchens. The Showhouse will be open to the public from Sunday, April 29 to Sunday, June 10. Showhouse hours will be as follows: Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed on Mondays). Children under six, infants, strollers and pets are not allowed in the Showhouse. General Admission to the Showhouse is $30 and includes the Showhouse Journal.

Glynallyn Tudor Mansion

Mansion in May is hosted by the Women’s Association of Morristown Medical Medical Center. It is a collaboration of hundreds of designers, and trade workers to create a beautiful showhouse that will be open to the public May 1st- May 31st. The historic mansion featuring design inspirations from 60 of the area’s top interior and landscape designers who have donated their work: Anthony Albert Studios from Waldwick was chosen to design a bathroom. Barbara Ostrom of Mahwah and Greenbaum Interiors of Paterson have each decorated rooms. After touring the Mansion and strolling through the gardens, guests can make the most of their spring day in the country by dining at the Castle Cafe and shopping at the Crown Boutiques, all conveniently located on the estate. The breathtaking Glynallyn Mansion is a 32,000 square foot, architectually brilliant building built from 1913-1917 by George Marshall Allen. Modeled after the Tudor styled mansions of England, Allen sent renowned New York achitect Charles Berg overseas for inspiration. At the time the mansion was built it cost Allen $500,000 including $15,000 worth of stunning stained glass windows displayed in the Great Hall.

Brad Ford's Music Room from Kips Bay 2011

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House is moving over to the west side of NYC this year to The Aldyn and opens to the public on May 16th. This will be a particularly special year for the event, as it is celebrating 40 years as the “most influential decorator show house in the world.” It’s not in a townhouse as is usually the case but an apartment. Bunny Williams, this year’s Show House Chair, will also be decorating a room with David Kleinberg and Brian McCarthy in honor of Albert Hadley. Other reknowned designers include Charlotte Moss, Thom Filicia, and Jamie Drake. The Kips Bay Decorator Show House is located at The Alydn on Riverside Boulevard bet. 62nd & 63rd Streets. May 16 – June 14, 2012. Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 11:00am – 5:00pm. Tuesday & Thursday 11:00am – 8:00pm. Sunday 12:00-5:00pm.