Behind the Scenes, The Show-house Saga: James Rixner

"Design Showcase Houses are breathtaking homes in which every living space has been given a makeover by an interior design or landscape professional. The annual events are eagerly awaited events by design junkies nation wide, myself included." Bonnie MacCarthy

James Rixner, a five-time featured Kips Bay Showhouse participant and a three-time participant of Holiday House Showhouse, has been featured in major shelter publications including Traditional Home, New York Spaces, Interior Design and The New York Times Magazine Design Section.

James is taking on a new show-house project: Mansionin May! Mansion in May Showhouse is taking place at Blairsden- a mansion that was constructed in 1897-1903 in Peapack-Gladstone, New Jersey benefiting the Morristown Medical Center. 

This time James is taking on a major challenge-the biggest room he has ever done for a showhouse!

Many are debating if this may be interior designer James Rixner’s grandest show house design. (Illustrated in red in image)

“The grandeur and historic significance of BLAIRSDEN attracted particular designer interest this year,” said Mansion in May Design Co-Chair, Nancy Alfano of Bernardsville. Working with her are Design Co-Chairs Suzanne Van Fossan of New Vernon and Judie Hofmeister of Stirling. Said Van Fossan, “Over 152 design proposals were submitted from well-known designers located throughout the New Jersey-New York metropolitan area, and Pennsylvania. Mansion in May always attracts prestigious designers, but this year has been exceptional.” 

James has teamed up with top showrooms such as, Baccarat celebrating their 250^th year anniversary, Christopher Guy, Colombo Mobili, Elizabeth Sadoff Art Advisory, Alan Schatzberg  and Beacon Hill. 

This glamorous vignette is set to dazzle the crowds as designer James Rixner helps raise funds for the expansion of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit & Autism Center at the Gryed Children’s Hospital Morristown Medical Center.

Mansion in May will be open to the public May 1st, 2014.  Restoration and decorating work at the mansion is proceeding rapidly. “With over 30,000 square feet of house and 53 interior design spaces to complete, our designers have a short time frame in which to translate their concepts into beautiful reality,” said Hofmeister. 

Mansion in May is the preeminent designer show-house in the New Jersey-New York area, attracting over 25,000 visitors to the event, typically held every other year. As a fundraiser for Morristown Medical Center, the event is known for presenting the area’s most unique and historic mansions, restored through the work of top interior and landscape designers.    

General Admission

Self-guided tour (approx. 1.5 - 2 hours)
Hours: 10am - 3pm, every day in May
Last ticket sold at 3pm

Ticket Pricing
$40 per person, February 1 - April 30
$50 per person, May 1 - May 31

Purchase Options
Online: February 1 - May 31
In Local Stores: April 1 - April 30
At the Door: May 1 - May 31

Sources:
www.GCTMarketing.com
www.jamesrixner.com
www.baccarat.com
www.colombomobili.com
www.mainsioninmay.org
www.esadoff.com
www.alanschatzberg.com
www.vandenloom.com
www.beaconhill.com/