What an honor it was for Veranda to host the largest designer show house in the magazine's twenty-one-year history at magnificent Greystone estate in Beverly Hills. When I first saw this 1920s architectural jewel, its vast rooms still echoing with the sounds of a lost golden era, I flashed back to the Belle époque and The Great Gatsby.
The grand scale and enduring dignity of Greystone quickly led to the theme "The Great House." In turning the unoccupied mansion into a cohesive show house, Veranda sought to reenvision this legendary landmark as a twenty-first-century residence through the eyes of some of the most distinguished interior and landscape designers in the industry. The goal was to make Greystone feel like a real home.
To realize this vision, Veranda invited twenty-eight top designers to participate, taking into consideration their professional reputations and style of decorating. I had the pleasure of working with this creative team for months. When the finished spaces were unveiled, I was overwhelmed by how personal the rooms felt and how naturally they flowed. The designers exceeded my expectations. The Great House exuded the warm spirit of a beautiful home for today, its understated elegance inspired by timeless design.
We are indebted to our sponsors, who made many of the design products showcased, and to the City of Beverly Hills and the Friends of Greystone for allowing us to transformthis iconic mansion. We also extend our deep gratitudeto Robert DeCarlo, our dedicated on-site organizer. Above all, we salute the extraordinarily talented group of designers. Everyone worked their magic to splendid effect-The Great House was a great experience.
