Balderbrae, a Home Designed by Thomas Jayne Studio
We were deeply impressed when we first arrived at Balderbrae, the handsome country house in Upstate New York. The place has a magical quality rooted in an historic landscape complemented by the designs of garden designer and writer Louise Beebe Wilder (1878-1938), its original owner, and Architect David Easton (1937-2020), who made it his home in 1980 and created a memorable pavilion-that has been long admired.
Our goal as decorators for the 21st century owners of this place was to create new interiors that honored Balderbrae’s history and to further it. We largely did as preservationists, saving as much of the historical aspects as possible, including Wilder’s arbor of wisteria and Easton’s magnificent great room and his specially-designed lighting throughout. We added fresh colors and a new collection of decorative arts that are historic in nature, juxtaposed in style and collectively added up to all the aspects of a comfortable home today.
With generous patronage, our clients encouraged us to select decorative arts of great quality, beauty and interest, suitable for a country place. These range from a richly carved Georgian looking glass and a pair of Regency cabinets from Nail Smith, to exotic “grotto” candelabra by Oriel Harewood and a modern carpet designed by William Cullum patterned after a cutting of rare English chintz. There is a marvelous dining table and chairs from the aesthetic movement, and handsome club chairs based on models first used by Easton in this house along with Edwardian Sofas from the designs of Davenport recreated by the storied Jonas upholstery company. Anchoring these rooms are a significant selection of Italian Renaissance and Rococo pieces, that once decorated the famed Caramoor, a Tuscan style Villa built in the 1930s. Now the history of Balderbrae continues with new owners, equally committed, as those who came before them, to furthering this remarkable place.
-Thomas Jayne
Time & Location
Thursday Morning at Stair on December 15 at 11am