Home for the holidays

It’s always a festive holiday season at Old Westbury Gardens. As holiday treat of sorts, the estate has opened a designer showhouse at Orchard Hill, the former home of Old Westbury Gardens founder, Peggie Phipps Boegner.
This charming 1856 farmhouse opened to the public this month for only the third time in its history Some of the region’s leading interior designers have individually decorated each of the 16 historic rooms. Each room features a different holiday motif – from Hanukkah to Swedish Christmas to The Nutcracker – sure to bring anyone and everyone into the holiday spirit.
The design firms include: Jeff Lincoln Interiors, Lee Najman Designs, Inc., Rinfret Interiors LLC, Kim E. Courtney Interiors & Design, Accents et Details, Beverly Balk, Greg Lanza Design, SULTANchic: Decorative Arts & Design, Dyfari Interiors, Scalamandre, Courland Design, Inc., Evelyn M. Designs LLC, Noli Design Interiors, The Paint Palette,
and McMillen, Inc.
Boegner lived in her beloved home from 1930 through 2006 when she died at age 99.
“Our founder, Peggie Phipps, is closely identified with all aspects of Old Westbury Gardens, including Westbury House, where she spent her first 23 years,” said Old Westbury Gardens spokesman Vince Kish. “But it is can be argued that Orchard Hill, where Peggie would raise her children and live for the next 76 years, was actually more reflective of her tastes and personality. The magnificence of a 44 room, Charles II style mansion filled with priceless art and antiques would seem to be a tough act to follow. But this rambling, 1856 farmhouse exudes its own quiet elegance. I’ve actually had visitors there who have been totally captivated by the rustic beauty and charm of the place when it’s totally empty. But now that this historic home is serving as a backdrop for these talented and imaginative designers, it’s become something really
special.”
Each designer offers a unique interpretation of the season.