Christmas at the Vanderbilt Museum-Part II

We're opening the velvet rope & inviting you in for a glamourous evening at the legendary 

"El Morocco"...

As I mentioned in my last post, Mom and I volunteered to decorate a room at the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport for Christmas.  As with any design project, we had our challenges.  The biggest was the sheer lack of well, anything, in the room.  No furniture whatsoever with no budget for decorating whatsoever.   Not $1. What we did have, was a sprawling waterview of Northport Harbor, some wonderful old iron sconces and light fixtures and a great theme of the El Morocco nightclub.  

The iron "sconces"  were actually once used as flag holders that flanked the beautiful iron door between them.  We filled the candelabra sections with oversized white tapers and placed flameless votives in the flag holders below.  Sprays of dried palms & silver and blue bulbs adorned with blue and white bows made them festive....

The El Morocco was noted for its celebrity clientele and its navy blue and white zebra stripe upholstered banquettes.

We built the navy blue zebra stripe banquette similar to the ones the El Morocco was so famous for.

We also built these palm trees -they're over 8' tall! 

The sign was also hand-painted.

Garlands with dried palm fronds, blue poinsettia and silver ornaments.

White & Blue tree...

We made tree ornaments with old black & white photos of celebs at El Morocco. 

The blue and white lanterns were in this room and worked
so well with the theme.

If you get a chance, stop by the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport and take a tour.  The museum is a wonderful piece of Long Island's history and they're in need of financial support.  If you have friends or family visiting for the holidays its a great idea to take them for a visit.

Christmas at the Vanderbilt Museum

We are pleased to announce that Harbor Homestead is decorating a room in the Eagles Nest mansion at the Vanderbilt Museum for Christmas.  Our theme is New York's legendary nightclub, "El Morocco", a favorite haunt of Mr. & Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt in the 1930's and 1940's.  The Vanderbilt's are hosting guests, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and heading to Manhattan for an evening of holiday cocktails and dancing at the El Morocco.  

Famous for its blue zebra upholstered banquettes and endless parade of celebrities, socialites and politicians, the "El Morocco" embodies the glamour and opulence of this bygone era.  

Marlene Dietrich at El Morocco

Clark Gable

Clark Gable again...why not?

Frank Sinatra

We are hard at work re-creating the essence of the El Morocco. Here is a sneak peek at our handmade paper palm fronds that will be used for the palm tree's we're constructing.
  

All expenses are out of pocket for this volunteer project so we're trying to keep our costs down.  Large, heavy sheets of paper and sugar glitter kept the cost of our palm fronds under $20.  There will be lots more details, including tour dates and times, available next week.


As an aside, we really enjoyed immersing ourselves on the history of the El Morocco.  Notably, it was the first to use a velvet rope, changing nightclub protocol forever.   But here is our favorite legend...


Humphrey Bogart was notoriously banned from El Morocco for life for a late night altercation involving with two young ladies and a pair of large stuffed animals.  Bogart and his drinking buddy brought panda bears to El Morocco and when the ladies attempted to make off with the pandas, a shoving match ensued.  Allegedly, first with one of the ladies and then with her gangster boyfriend. 

Bogart was in court the next morning to face charges of assault and battery. Flippant and cool, he suggested the ladies were merely publicity seekers and the pandas had done them no wrong. The case was dismissed. At least in the eyes of the law.

Asked by the press if he was “stiff” during the incidence, Bogart replied, “Who isn’t at 3 o’clock in the morning? So we get stiff once in a while. This is a free country isn’t it? I can take my panda any place I want to. And if I want to buy it a drink, that’s my business.” And besides, he said, “Errol Flynn and I are the only ones left who do any good old hell raising.”

The president of New York’s Society of Restaurateurs responded with dire threats, telling the press that Bogart, Errol Flynn and any other celebrity hell-raisers would get the “bum’s rush” if they dared “get stiff and raise hell” in a New York restaurant, club or bar. Bogart was then promptly banned for life from the El Morocco and a dozen other clubs in town, adding to his rather impressive list in Los Angeles.

Eagles Nest
The Spanish Revival Mansion with its 24 rooms was built in three stages from 1910 until 1936. Rooms in the historic house are on exhibit and exemplify the eclectic taste and collecting interests of William K. Vanderbilt II. The mansion was designed by the New York architectural firm Warren & Wetmore, whose Grand Central Station in New York City [1903-13] was designed and built for the New York Central Railroad, one of several Vanderbilt family enterprises. Later additions to the mansion and other estate buildings were executed by architect Ronald H. Pearce, who trained in the office of Warren & Wetmore and continued to make improvements at "Eagle's Nest" after Warren's retirement in 1931.

Latest DIY Projects

I've been trying to complete a minor renovation of my stairway/hallway for what seems like forever.

The walls were a dark tan (almost brown) that I used to like but came to despise.  So much so that I forgot to take their "before" picture.

Same story on the carpet which is long overdue for its date with the trash thanks in part to my big brown dog...

Initially, I purchased a sample of Benjamin Seapearl and was all set on using this for the walls.  But I kept having this annoying feeling late at night that this was not the off-white I was looking for.  Seapearl, on the color chart, was my color. But on the wall it was too light.  I get sold on the color names sometimes and have to be careful.  Aware of this, I went back to the drawing board and painted the walls Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist & trim Benjamin Moore Simply White.  Balboa Mist is a really crisp, cool toned off-white. I did not want any warm, golden or tan coloring.  A bit grey, a bit taupe but off-white nonetheless.  I was really happy with my color choices and they really cheered things up instantly.

Next step was a wall display going up the staircase.  This was a lot of work but paid off nicely.  I had several white frames already, purchased some black ones (Michael's had a 40% off sale on frames) and added in some other elements - mirror, painting etc. that I had in the house already.  Before hanging, I placed everything on the floor and played with the arrangement.  I decided the display needed something else though.  A little more character and fun.  So I made this sign...

Driftwood plank, a favorite quote, watered down white paint, rag, black paint, paint brush. 

And the finished project...

I did not have curtains on the window previously.  My splurge for this project were the curtains. From Pottery Barn - white cotton tie top panels (about $90 on sale) and a curtain rod from Home Depot.  Martha Stewart's brand has some nice rod and finial sets at a fraction of the price of the previously mentioned store.  They really gave such a light and airy feel to the space.  I cant wait to see them blowing in the salty breeze next summer.

Flooring is next and final step.  And it must be done on a budget.  I am heading out today for some more samples and quotes. I will post my finds and pics of the finished project soon.

P.S. I was lucky enough to find this wonderful old oar washed up on the beach recently.  The wood on the shaft is weathered and grey and the paddle has an old faded blue paint that is perfectly chipped off.  I just waxed it with XXX Steel Wool & Briwax Liming Wax which added a nice whitewash, satin finish to the old dry wood.  I am definitely going to incorporate this into this room somehow.

Chicken's of the Sea

It was a Sunday in early summer, 1967 when my father left this earth. I passed by him on my way to church while he tended his vegetable garden. I said good bye not knowing it would mean forever. My mother and two  brothers, Bob and Joe stayed at home as they had already gone to the 7 am mass. My brother Bob was the youngest. He would turn six four days later, on the day we buried my dad. He and my brother Joe were with my dad in the yard that morning. My father was only 43. Our family doctor, John O'Brien suggested she put somthing in the area to detract from this sad memory. She installed a small swimming pool, it helped .
 Now Bob loved animals, or as he called them"aminals". When he would attend summer art classes he would sculpt dogs, horses and evan buffalo.  Dr. O'Brien told my mother try to let him have animals to raise and take care of so he understands the life cycle. So his first choice was chickens. Then came the ducks, rabbits and fish. Mom stopped him when he asked for a goat! There were always chickens roaming our property.Two Lake Horns, a Rhode Island Red named Alice who took a baby duck under her wing. We had a black bantam named appropriately 'the Hawk'. We had a rooster who woke us every morning. The whole neighborhood as well.  Alice raised her own chicks. The hawk was our best layer. We always had fresh eggs. My Uncle Frank helped him build the coop. I have  fond memorys of trips to Agway to purchase "chicken mash" in large bags along with hay for the rabbits.
 Bob learned about the life cycle indeed! One night we had masked intruders in the coop !! We all awoke to a frenzy of clucking and squaking & feathers flying.. Racoons! Bob like the little man he had become ran out with the rest of us. They all were okay, but the Hawk was injured. Her comb was torn. We thought she wouldn't make it. Our mom was the queen of solutions. She cleaned the wound and wrapped gauze around its head . Well the hawk looked... very un hawkish. More like a picture out of a Beatrix Potter book. The Hawk had a bonnet!
 So his animals came and went. Bob learned about the "life cycle". He grew up went to art school in Manhattan had a cat named Putty in his apartment. Putty lived to be 17. He is an Art Director now. He and his wife Jeanne live on the beach. They have two cats, two dogs and there newest addition... four chickens. Silver Laced Wyandotte's. They are known for being docile, good egg producers and cold hearty. There names ..Fee , Fi, Fo & Fum. They roam his beach front property, while swans, geese, ducks and egrets float just feet away from them. I often think how much Bob is like my dad. Dad would have loved this. He probably would have named them Fee, Fi, Fo & Fum too!

Pickles

My fruit and vegetable garden has finally reached notable size at this time of year, and now the real harvesting begins.  Noticing a generous amount of cucumbers come through the back door, the man of the house put in a request for some Half-Sour Pickles.  Bless his Jewish heart.  Feeling up for the challenge this morning, I fulfilled his wishes.  He likes his food spicy and I had a few ripe chili peppers in the garden so I added them but they're optional of course.

• 5-6 SMALL, FRESH CUCUMBERS washed thoroughly & the very tip of the stem side cut-off to prevent softening.
• 3-4 GARLIC CLOVES smashed
• 1/2 CUP PICKLING SPICE
• 2 TBSP WHOLE BLACK PEPPERCORNS
• SEVERAL SPRIGS OF FRESH DILL
• 1/2 CUP SALT
• 8 CUPS WATER
• CHILI PEPPERS (optional)
• WAX PAPER
• CANNING JARS ( I used 1Qt.Wide Mouth Ball jars but you can improvise

Combine WATER, SALT, GARLIC, DILL, BLACK PEPPERCORNS & PICKLING SPICE.  Place CUKES into CANNING JARS.  Add CHILI PEPPERS (if you like). Pour liquid mixture over CUCUMBERS until COMPLETELY COVERED.




Loosely cover with wax paper.  Let sit in a cool place on the counter for about 2 days.  Then seal the lid and refrigerate for about 8 days more before eating.  Enjoy!

Summer Tablescape

I love to change up the centerpieces on my kitchen table throughout the year.  I've done several this summer but I think this one is my favorite.  A collection of old bottles, some greens and flowers from both the yard and the market and some shells from the beach and voila....

~Krishtia

My Hydrangea Heart

One of my very favorite things about summer-time is watching perennials get their "moment in the sun".  Dearest to my heart are hydrangea.  With their striking size and assortment of vibrant colors they're the heart and soul of the garden.  When I was a child, my grandma told me they bloomed for my July birthday.  Looking back, I am not sure if she meant to convince me that they bloomed for me as a sort of birthday gift or if she just meant they naturally coincided with my birthday - but I chose to believe the former.  She still picks a bouquet for my birthday every year and they'll forever be a reminder of her.

Yesterday, I was struck by the understated sparkle of the Limelight Hydrangea in bloom at my neighborhood's beach.

And perfectly on cue, a sailboat came into the picture...

I have many varieties in my own gardens.  I inherited a large hedge of Lacecap's when I bought my house that have tripled in size since.  Their various shades of violet and blue look so striking together.

Just two years ago, I planted what have become two huge pink Mophead's on each side of the stairs of my deck.  They're very happy there and their overflowing blooms are so heavy they're dragging on the ground.  They've made for plenty of beautiful arrangements over the past few weeks.

I have one white Annabelle hydrangea.  Annabelle is my grandmother's name and it is my ode to her and our hydrangea bond.  One day this summer, my mom showed up at my house with a fern.  She had dug it up from her garden for me to transplant to mine.  She explained that this fern was a descendant from my grandmother's garden and she had given its relative to my mother years before. But the ferns in my grandmother's garden originally came from Vermont, where my grandfather dug one up while on a family vacation back in the 1960's.  A multi-generational fern with some history.  Sadly, my grandfather died before I was born and this very day was the 45th anniversary of his death.  My mom said she hoped I would find a good place for it.  And I did, right next to Annabelle.