Christmas Fireworks @ Wilderstein Historic Site

 To celebrate the holidays at the Wilderstein Historic Site, Geoff was again invited to decorate the fabled music room within the grand estate. inspired by the room's circular motifs, This year's display is more of study in circular motion with lighted 'christmas trees' spiraling, circling up to the heavens, creating a wonderful warm glow. The white and gold music room is filled with all original hand carved woodwork, a beautiful plaster ceiling with a handpainted mural, all installed in 1889. It also features a suite of furniture designed for the room by famous new york Cabinet makers Pottier and Stymus.

The Poughkeepsie Journal published a story on Christmas Day about holiday decorations in various historic mansions along the Hudson river. A photograph of Geoff's installation was featured and as a result, the next day during the three hours Wilderstein was open for tours, over 160 visitors came to bask in the warm glow, setting a new one-day record of visitors to Wilderstein during the Christmas season. Glad tidings indeed!

photo credit: The Poughkeepsie Journal

See more of Geoff's previous Wilderstein installations by clicking on

The Ghost of Wilderstein Christmas Past 

Christmas at Wilderstein

It is approaching Christmas once again at Wilderstein and in keeping with the recent snowfalls in the Northeast, Geoff created a giant snow-filled panorama that references the natural surrounding and landscapes of Wilderstein. Sitting atop the mountain of snow covered 19th century ballroom furniture, sits a small replica of the Wilderstein mansion. An evergreen forest cascades down, much like an exagerated bird's eye view of the historic site. Look carefully and you'll see a few miniature people climbing the hill and enjoying the view, or perhaps a decorated christmas tree and its miniature admirers as well as Santa with his reindeer launching off the chair!

 

Click Here to see Geoff's Previous Wilderstein Installations

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Pretty in Pink

Geoff's latest Christmas installation at the Wilderstein Historic Site in Rhinebeck, NY. The beautiful (untouched since 1888) interior's slowly but artfully decaying silk wall coverings and hand carved paneling in white and gold provides the setting for this year's theme of a Modern (and anachronistic) Christmas. Sitting in a beautiful 19th century cast iron urn stands a six foot Christmas tree wrapped in hot pink lights encircling the tree and reaching out across the floor, spilling a warm neon glow of holiday cheer. A huge hot pink bow made of dyed coconut matting ties the whole thing together with a dramatic flourish!

This room and the rest of the mansion is open to the public through Christmas.

The Ghost of Christmas Past: Click here to see Geoff's Winter Princess installation last year!


Click Here to see out the article about Wilderstein in the Poughkeepsie Journal, featuring Geoff's work!

CPR: conservation, preservation and restoration

This surgical set up at Wilderstein is the centerpiece for an exhibit called "CPR: conservation, preservation and restoration" Playing off the title of the exhibit, the "paramedics", dressed in authentic doctor's scrubs and lab coats, are taking care of a preservation emergency by resuscitating history. They are surrounded by tools of the trade, with mostly antique tools from the collection, as well as architectural artifacts from the museum's exterior and things from Geoff's own collection, such as his grandfather's ladder, etc., all set up in the music room at the Wilderstein mansion. This will be on display until October in Rhinebeck NY. Come and see it, STAT!

A Wilderstein Christmas

As part of the Board of Directors for the beautiful Wilderstein Historic Site in Rhinebeck, Geoff was asked to design and decorate one of the sitting rooms for Christmas. This year, a seductive winter princess illuminates the antique chandelier, dressed in a enormous gown made of paper and white branches that fills the room.

A side view of Wilderstein, a historic 19th century estate over looking the Hudson river

the sky over Wilderstein offers its own white branch for good luck

Geoff adjusts the princess for her big debut

Sunset over Rhinebeck

If you'd like to take a closer look, Geoff's winter enchantress is on public exhibition as part of the Wilderstein Historic Site holiday tour on display now until Christmas in Rhinebeck, NY