Yesterday I had the pleasure of taking a tour of one of this country's largest privately owned homes up in Peapack-Gladstone New Jersey, the Blairsden Mansion.
It was constructed about the turn of the last century by C. Ledyard Blair, the grandson of self-made multimillionaire, philanthropist, Princeton University trustee and benefactor, John Insley Blair, who made his fortune in mining and building much of America's railroad system.
This tour really excited me because for the most part tours like this typically restrict the use of photography inside the walls of the estate. But yesterday I was so thrilled to find out that I could snap away all I wanted of the extraordinarily designed interior. There were a total of 56 designers selected to impart their creative vision on the first and second floors of this historic home.
So come on and grab a cup of Joe or a spot of tea, or a glass of wine depending on the time of day, and join me as I take you on one of the most magnificent tours you have ever seen.
As you approach the Blairsden mansion, you pass a 300 foot long reflecting pool which is lined by the busts of the first 12 Roman Caesars.
(In case you are interested, all of these statues are available for purchase. The pair of deer at the end of the reflecting pool go for about $95,0000.)
Once inside the mansion, the first room you tour is the so called mudroom.
This is where mansion guests come to remove outerwear and freshen up before going on to whatever event the Blairs were hosting.
How about this sconce which was original to the Blairsden mansion. Yes the home was built between 1897 and 1903 with a complete electrical system including a lift or elevator.
The mansion boast 62,000 square footage of living space, 38 rooms, 19 bathrooms and 25 fireplaces .
Many of these rooms were set up as sitting and dining areas.
The pops of yellow and pink in this room are so bright and cheery against the more neutral back ground.
How about this for a linen closet?
Plaster work restoration was done by a firm which recently completed work on Madonna's home.
I adore this fabulous bedroom.
All the paint needed to create the stunning interior of the mansion was donated by Benjamin Moore paints.
This next room is known as the Grand Salon and was originally used for the Blair family's most important functions.
They entertained heads of state, industry moguls and held significant family gatherings in the Grand Salon.
Two Baccarat chandys are used in the room along with coordinating sconces. A third chandy hangs in the billiard room.
Baccarat Crystal is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year.
Beautiful pops of deep aqua against warm taupe gives this room a Parisian Chic feel with Art Deco overtones. Simply stunning!
The outdoor sitting areas are just as gorgeous as the mansion's interiors.
And oh my oh my the views are to die for!
And that is the tour.
So what did you think...pretty spectacular right???
Tomorrow I am headed to Bucks County Pennsylvania to tour their Designer House and Garden. Serendipity Farm was selected as this year's Designer House.
XO
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