Life in a Gilded Cage

Jamie Gibbs was among the group of thirty-five top interior designers selected to participate in the show house at the stately Metcalf estate shown at right - 30 acres of pristine property located in Rumson, NJ.  He selected to restore and whimsically decorate the “Lady’s Waiting Room.”

Metcalf Estate

The two-room suite is architecturally significant with plaster and wood mouldings dating from the original 1926 construction.  Jamie Gibbs and Associates restored the configuration and architectural details of the room to reflect the genteel lifestyle of Rumson’s early twentieth century estate history while bringing the conveniences of the 21st century into the setting.  Whimsy was employed to create a fantasy upon entering the anteroom, transporting the guest into a bigger than life birdcage.

Using fantasy rooms from the 18th and 19th century as examples, the anteroom has had the mouldings antique copper gilt to represent the metalwork of a bird cage. The talented wallpaper installation team utilized multiple wallpaper patterns and created panels of lattice, faux gilt mouldings and views of the foliage and fauna, also momentarily captivated in the gilded cage.

Colors in the Lady’s Waiting Room reflect the femininity of the space embracing shades of rose pink, soft greens and Dubonnet on a rich antique white and gold gilt field.  The gilding is antiqued to reflect the sage elegance of the room. Antique Oriental rugs from Nazmiyal mimic the colors found in the fabrics and wallcoverings, while the furniture and lighting, all supplied by Art and Tradition, in the room make the space not only dance with light and reflection, but add a charm all their own with carved wood foliage, Murano glass and Venetian mirrors.

Lady's Waiting Room - Anteroom

There is little artwork in the anteroom. The wallpaper panels are a combination of four different papers and borders from Brewster and Thibaut.  Lush fabrics from Plumridge Silks and trims from the Jamie Gibbs Vintage Collection for D’Kei at the window carry the small room.  A Howard Miller French Banjo clock, Murano glass sconces and chandeliers and Venetian mirrored furnishings from Art and Tradition complete the fantasy birdcage theme and compliment the patterns found in the space.  They almost disappear with the chaos of pattern! 

The water closet has poor proportions. The original ceiling was much too high for the width and length of the room, thus making it feel close and unwelcoming. Jamie Gibbs and Associates have chosen to correct the ceiling height issue. Shirring yards and yards of silk taffeta from Plumridge Silks on the upper walls of the room and tenting the ceiling in the same silk fabric, lowers the wall height and corrects the proportions.  A Murano glass chandelier was hung from the center of the ceiling.  Complimentary sconces flank the large Venetian and Murano glass mirror over the vanity.  Antique Limoges accessories, fine monogrammed linens and fresh flowers complete the look.

Water Closet

DreamDraper Rendering

Jamie Gibbs and Associates, NYC