Dedicated to the preservation of Long Island's 'gold coast' estates and other things old.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
More 'Chelsea'
Nassau County has moved the marble basin that previously sat at 'Knollwood' and 'Muttontown Meadows' over to 'Chelsea', the Benjamin Moore estate designed by Delano & Aldrich c. 1924 in Muttowntown. Click HERE to see this view from 2008.
10 comments:
The Old East Sider
said...
I much prefer Chelsea's well-kept appearance of today than the neglected conditions of 2008. Thank you, Zach, for these recent views !
Again, everyone is a critic, but these quasi Victorian/Edwardian style bedding out schemes, colors and plant choices are out of keeping with the style of the house and the origional intent of the garden designers. It would be wonderful if Nassau County and/or the stewards of Chelsea consulted with a garden or architectural historian before embarking on their programs.
Okay class, seriously for a second. Yes, I'm talking to you in the back row, in the Parks Department shirt: Look at that basin. It's lovely. Look at the picture of it in the garden at Knollwood. Do we see a Walgreen's fruit basket anywhere? No. Just a well placed piece of sculpture punctuating the garden. Sometimes, empty is better. The thing doesn't need to be filled with potting soil. The money and labor really could have been better spent elsewhere
Concur with Old East Sider, while not perfect nor to everyone's taste, a well maintained look which appeals to the wedding party masses ensures this garden and mansion will survive while other neglected Nassau County properties are constantly on life support, aka Hempstead House and most recently Mill Pond House, a 17th century Nassau County owned historic structure which was set ablaze. The County purchased it and left it vacant for years to be vandalized and torched. Go figure?
Well, Dilettante, I'm sure you've seen some of the get-ups worn by the wedding parties these days. Your "Carmen Miranda hat" comparison hits the nail right on the head ~ Congratulations ! Sadly, today's brides ( Super-Refined folk NOT included ) gravitate towards the gaudy. Those who operate wedding venues, such as the 'Chelsea' site, must, of necessity, provide the atmosphere expected. It's either go 'popular demand' or perish. 'Chelsea" will survive, by popular demand ! Key Word here is Survival ! Personally ~ I've always liked those old 1940s Carmen Miranda movies.
You're right James, 'Chelses' does look amazing. I'll repeat my comment of 7:27 a.m. this morning ~ "I much prefer Chelsea's well-kept appearance of today than the neglected conditions of 2008." I did enjoy hearing from the Dilettante, though ! Bottom line, he contributes great comments
I just commented on the Chelsea fountain posting about DED's observation that the grotesque which rim the basin were the original water feature. It caused me to think of a suggestion to Nassau County regarding the marble basin relocated from 'Knollwood": Get rid of the metal fountain & concrete basin around it, re-pipe the grotesques, place the marble basin from "Knollwood" in the center of the fountain & leave it empty. You'll end up with a much better photo background that might even be less expensive to maintain than what is in place now. Sell the metal fountain stating it came from an old Long Island estate (not exactly a lie).
10 comments:
I much prefer Chelsea's well-kept appearance of today than the neglected conditions of 2008. Thank you, Zach, for these recent views !
Again, everyone is a critic, but these quasi Victorian/Edwardian style bedding out schemes, colors and plant choices are out of keeping with the style of the house and the origional intent of the garden designers. It would be wonderful if Nassau County and/or the stewards of Chelsea consulted with a garden or architectural historian before embarking on their programs.
Carmen Miranda called. She wants her hat back.
https://macymarie.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/cm.jpg
Okay class, seriously for a second. Yes, I'm talking to you in the back row, in the Parks Department shirt: Look at that basin. It's lovely. Look at the picture of it in the garden at Knollwood. Do we see a Walgreen's fruit basket anywhere? No. Just a well placed piece of sculpture punctuating the garden. Sometimes, empty is better. The thing doesn't need to be filled with potting soil. The money and labor really could have been better spent elsewhere
Concur with Old East Sider, while not perfect nor to everyone's taste, a well maintained look which appeals to the wedding party masses ensures this garden and mansion will survive while other neglected Nassau County properties are constantly on life support, aka Hempstead House and most recently Mill Pond House, a 17th century Nassau County owned historic structure which was set ablaze. The County purchased it and left it vacant for years to be vandalized and torched. Go figure?
Well, Dilettante, I'm sure you've seen some of the get-ups worn by the wedding parties these days. Your "Carmen Miranda hat" comparison hits the nail right on the head ~ Congratulations ! Sadly, today's brides ( Super-Refined folk NOT included ) gravitate towards the gaudy. Those who operate wedding venues, such as the 'Chelsea' site, must, of necessity, provide the atmosphere expected. It's either go 'popular demand' or perish. 'Chelsea" will survive, by popular demand ! Key Word here is Survival !
Personally ~ I've always liked those old 1940s Carmen Miranda movies.
Chelsea looks amazing, the person responsible for its revival deserves more credit. Too much sniping over seemingly small details
You're right James, 'Chelses' does look amazing. I'll repeat my comment of 7:27 a.m. this morning ~ "I much prefer Chelsea's well-kept appearance of today than the neglected conditions of 2008." I did enjoy hearing from the Dilettante, though ! Bottom line, he contributes great comments
NSP
The arson prone Mill Pond House is owned by the Town of Oyster Bay.
I agree that Chelsea looks better than a few years ago however I also agree that a lot of the work done is not appropriate and is a waste of money.
The root cause, in my opinion, is that which plagues most Nassau government enterprises, cronyism and lack of funding.
I just commented on the Chelsea fountain posting about DED's observation that the grotesque which rim the basin were the original water feature. It caused me to think of a suggestion to Nassau County regarding the marble basin relocated from 'Knollwood": Get rid of the metal fountain & concrete basin around it, re-pipe the grotesques, place the marble basin from "Knollwood" in the center of the fountain & leave it empty. You'll end up with a much better photo background that might even be less expensive to maintain than what is in place now. Sell the metal fountain stating it came from an old Long Island estate (not exactly a lie).
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