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September 29, 2007
Party opens The Chimneys Designer Show House
About 200 people were at The Chimneys mansion last night (Sept. 29, 2007) to attend the opening gala for the the Autumn at the Chimneys Designer Showhouse, a fundraiser for UNESCO, Green Demolitions, Dress for Success and Music and Arts for Humanity.
The Chimneys is Black Rock's -- and Bridgeport's -- most elegant surviving manson, and it's been decked out by a crew of about 50 or so interior decorators, artists, architects and other creative types. If they were after returning the home to its glory days, they've succeeded.
The home was built in the 1920s; there are 22 rooms, mostly on two stories. It has a well-thought-out floor plan, too -- you never feel like like you're lost, despite the 15,000 square feet of interior space. There's also a pool (built in the 1980s, but looking like a period piece), a tennis court, a fountain, a reflecting pool, a six-car garage and 10 chimneys.
It cost $400,000 to build -- in 1920 dollars. Alan Greenspan hasn't called me back yet, but I'd guess that works out to about $50 million in today's dollars (that's before the dollar's recent trip off the old cliff over the last couple weeks).
A production of the flamboyant Franco Grimaldi and his Franco Grimaldi Talent Resource Centre, the Show House will be on display until Oct. 28. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday 11 to 5, and it's open until 8 on Thursday. So head over to Black Rock and check it out. It's located on 124 Old Battery Road. Tickets are $30, and there will be a designer lecture at noon everyday.
Here are some pictures from the party; it took place in the garage -- not because there's no room in the house (there's plenty of that) but because Franco didn't want any Cabernet stains on the carpets.
Valeria Carrano, one of Franco's production people, with Franco the Great
Shelly McCormick, Helen White, Gaelle Parks (of Milford Stone) and Westport designer Lynne Scalo
Nancy Honeyman of Bethel, Beth Laffey, Christina Karaszewski and Gabrielle Aronas, all of Manhattan.
Sandy Zemola and Sharon Lynn, both of Fairfield.
Michelle Martin of Greenwich, with her husband, James; Sheila Foster, the honorary chairwoman, also of Greenwich, Jennifer Owen of Stratford and Molly Poyntz-Massiah of Bridgeport.
Linda Reid of New Canaan, with Caren and Eric Higgins.
Mary Ann Harding and Ashly Abate, both from Dress for Success.
Scott McGill, Westport; Miraneh and Kanran Hashemi of Wilton, the master bedroom desigenr Connie Cooper of Westport; and Wendy Hollender of Manhattan.
Ed Townsend of Ridgefield, Shelley Denning of Stamford and Dianne Jacobsen of Black Rock.
Finally, a couple media types -- Jason Casso of CNN and Debra Alfarone of Cable NewsChannel 12.
Here's the dining room. Dinner will be at 7:30:
A kitchen scene. My friend Doug Fedorko installed the major appliances.
The entertainment:
Posted by john on September 29, 2007 9:39 PM
