Thursday, May 8, 2014

Mansions In May

Yesterday was beautiful. Spring. Sunshine and a light breeze. 
The perfect day to tour a country home. 


Blairsden House is open to the public this year, for the very first time. This spectacular home is the centerpiece of a fundraiser dubbed 'Mansions in May', organized and run by a nearby hospital's women's association.


The house was built at the turn of the 20th century and was originally the country home of NY financier C. Ledyard Blair. It is a gorgeous piece of property and architecture.


More than 50 well known designers from the NY-NJ area had a hand in making the home show-worthy, both inside and out.


Wouldn't that little alcove be the perfect spot for a nap?


Or really anywhere on this magnificent patio?


The original owner (Mr. Blair) lived in the house from 1903 until he died in 1949.  I'm glad he was able to enjoy his vision because it seems so often these big homes were built and then the owners lived in them about three minutes.


Originally the estate was 500 acres, but it was sold and broken up after his death. In 2002 the property went back into private ownership, and it was sold again more recently with the new owner planning to live there and restore it.

Indoor herb garden anyone?


I love big old houses. I love the glimpse into a different time and another way of life. I like to imagine how they manage heating bills and house cleaning.


Mostly though I love imagining what in the world I'd do with all that property and space.


I'm sure I could think of something.

9 comments:

  1. It is a lovely palace! I have similar thoughts about cleaning and heating and cooling when I tour some of the big historic homes. I've been to the Biltmore Mansion - unbelievable. Closer to home, we have the John and Mabel Ringling home, in Sarasota. I sit on the front veranda, overlooking the bay, and dream about what life must have been like there nearly 100 years ago! Thanks for sharing this with us!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So neat... I love that it is all done up in up to date furnishings... So many of those types of homes around here are filled with teeny tiny little delicate looking antiques... I could never picture myself in that space and that is definitely at least half the fun!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow. I can't imagine living in a place like that.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a gorgeous old home! I love visiting places like this, too. I find myself drifting off into another world when I see something like this. It's hard to imagine living in the lap of luxury no matter what the time is, but it's certainly nice to daydream. I would love to have that kind of land, but I am afraid the taxes would be outrageous to manage today. Nice photo session!

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow that is awesome!!!! love old mansions...there is one here near where I live called the belvedere mansion in OK It is rarely opened to the public, I am wanting to visit as they say it is also haunted....thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for the tour. What a beautiful mansion!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved it! It gave me a lot of idea for my home!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful! I think I could find a way to enjoy it too. :-)

    ReplyDelete