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/

5 Must Have Accessories For Designers on the go

Technology

Interior designers and Architects check out these gadgets that will make your life a little easier. Our lives are a bit different then most, we often deal with construction sites where there is no electricity, large plans and paper that we need to be scanned yesterday, and more often then not need a measurement of some oddly shaped room. 

I researched and found 5 gadgets that could help with those issues.

1. Premium Solar Charger 

- Ultra Thin Solar Powered Backup Battery and Charger for Cell Phones Approx- $29.99

2. Doxie Flip Scanner

This portable flatbed scanner is made to work anywhere, small enough to fit in a bag or large pocket, it features battery power and flash SD memory, so you can use it without the need for a computer.  Approx--$150

3.Structure Sensor (attention Architects and Interior Designers)

Using the sensor and your iPad, you can measure the three-dimensional space in any room, automatically capture three-dimensional models of everyday objects, and even simulate physics on top of the real world. Approx- $380

4. Handpresso Hand-Held Espresso Maker

If you dislike Starbucks as much as me but find yourself in need of an espresso on the go, this device is it.  Approx-$78.00

5. Pocket Smart Measuring String

A string that gives precise measurement even around a curved surface can really save time and energy. $12.00

sources:
http://www.foxnews.com
http://www.ebay.com
http://www.forbes.com/