Cape May’s 2014-15 Designer Show House Opens Oct. 10

CAPE MAY – Cape May’s Designer Show House returns in 2014-15 for its ninth year with an exciting project that highlights the best of Cape May: the city’s Victorian architecture beautifully preserved, the creativity of those who come here, and the joy of celebrating holidays here.
The Ocean Victorian, 25 Ocean St., will open its doors to the public Oct. 10 as the 2014-15 Cape May Designer Show House with the theme “Celebrating Holidays,” presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) and sponsored by DesignNJ magazine.
The Ocean Victorian is located within steps of Cape May’s beaches in a majestic row alongside some of Cape May’s most recognized historic structures. Visitors will see how the region’s top designers creatively portray a different holiday in each of 12 rooms in this circa 1880 Cape May landmark. This classic Mansard-style home was built soon after the great fire of 1878. The Mansard roof is crowned by ornamental wrought ironwork, and the house offers breathtaking ocean views. A private home before and after the great fire for nearly 100 years, the building was restored and operated as an award-winning bed and breakfast inn known as The Inn on Ocean for more than 25 years, before being converted as a retreat for family vacations for the past 10 years. This 5,000 square foot home is being transformed with significant upgrades to the interior, and local and regional designers will exhibit their creativity and talent portraying a favorite holiday, making the 2014-15 Designer Show House a must-see in Cape May.
Guided and self-guided tours of the Ocean Victorian will be offered from Oct. 10 through June 18, 2015 at various times. Self-guided Designer Show House Tours are offered daily, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., during the following times: Oct. 10 through Jan. 3, 2015 (except Nov. 27 and Dec. 25); March 27 through June 18 (except April 5). Guided Designer Show House Tours are offered at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, from Oct. 10 through Jan. 2, 2015 (except Nov. 27 and Dec. 25). Guided tours are offered at 11 a.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 10-Feb. 28, Monday, Jan. 19, Monday, Feb. 16, and on Sunday, Feb. 15. Guided tours are offered at 12:15 p.m. from March 1 through March 26. Guided tours are also offered at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays from April 24 through June 18.
Each visitor receives a full-color program book with information about the designers, products and vendors. Admission is $20 after Oct. 6. Tickets may be purchased in advance through Oct. 6 for $15 by calling 609-884-5404 or by visiting www.capemaymac.org.
Savor the 9th Annual Cape May Designer Show House experience and meet the designers during the Show House Designer Reception Oct. 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 25 Ocean St. Speak one-on-one with the designers, suppliers and vendors responsible for helping to create The Ocean Victorian and take a tour of the house. Admission is $35. Reservations can be made by calling 609-884-5404, ext. 1-115.
Designer Show House Dinner Packages with guided evening tours are available with selected Cape May restaurants on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays, from Oct. 10 through Jan. 1, 2015 (except Nov. 27 and Dec. 25) and from March 29 through June 14, 2015. Dinner at 5:30 p.m. is followed by a Show House Guided Tour at 7 p.m. Admission is $50. Reservations can be made by calling 609-884-5404, ext. 1-115.
Designer Show House Tea Luncheon Packages with self-guided daytime tours are available daily with the Carriage House Café & Tearoom, from Oct. 10 through Nov. 2, and from April through June 14, 2015. Reservations for tea luncheon or afternoon tea at the Carriage House Café & Tearoom are available between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. The self-guided tour of the Designer Show House is offered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission for this combination package is $35. Reservations can be made by calling 609-884-5404, ext. 1-115.
Self-guided tours of the Designer Show House can also be combined with tours of the Cherry House, a historic private home just around the corner on Hughes Street, during the Christmas holidays. The Celebrating Holidays Combination Tour is offered from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, Nov. 24 through Dec. 22 and Dec. 29. Combine a self-guided tour of the 2014-15 Designer Show House with a tour of this beautiful private home, built in 1849 in the Federal style, lavishly decorated for Christmas. Learn about the Cherry House and its history, furnishings, renovations and artifacts, with owners Beth and Frank Acker as your guide. Admission is $25 for adults and $18 for children (ages 3-12).
See the first floor of the Cape May Designer Show House during Cape May’s 41st Annual Christmas Candlelight House Tours, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. These self-guided tours, the main attraction of Cape May’s festive holiday season, feature homes, inns, hotels and churches decorated for the holidays, plus caroling, strolling musicians and good old-fashioned cheer. Hospitality centers offer warm beverages and traditional treats; admission to the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., and the Carriage House Gallery, is also included. This year, the Cape May Designer Show House will be an exciting addition to this popular tour. Shuttle service runs continually on heated trolleys. Don’t miss this highlight of the holiday season! Adults $25, children $20 (ages 3-12).
Next March, combine your visit to the 2014-15 Designer Show House with a Cape May trolley tour on Combination Trolley/Designer Show House Tours. Purchase a ticket to board a MAC trolley where a guide will relate the history and architecture of Cape May’s Historic District. Then, stop to tour the Ocean Victorian, at 25 Ocean St. With this combination tour, you’ll not only have a chance to be inspired by the creativity of a dozen designers, you’ll learn some of Cape May’s history, including how this 5,000-square foot Mansard style Victorian home and others surrounding it suffered in the Great Fire of 1878. Tours are offered at 11:30 a.m., Sundays through Fridays, from March 1 through March 26. Admission is $25 for adults and $18 for children (ages 3-12).
A special event, Reinventing Your Home: Tea, Talk and Tour will be hosted by designer Carole Roach, ASID, NCIDQ, President of NEWH Atlantic City/Greater Philadelphia Chapter, and a long-time Cape May Designer Show House participating designer. Carole will talk about how to use “found” items to decorate your home. This special event is May 2, 2015, beginning with a tea and lecture at 3 p.m. at the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., followed by a private tour of the Cape May Designer Show House at 4:15 p.m. Admission is $45 and includes tea, lecture and tour. The event is limited and advance purchase is required.
Owners Mary and Tedd McKenney are opening the doors to the Ocean Victorian and welcome visitors to see its transformation as the 2014-15 Cape May Designer Show House. Mary McKenney also serves as president of MAC’s Board of Trustees.
“This house serves as ‘home’ for many families and groups of friends who visit Cape May,” she said. “It is only fitting that it be made available to all Cape May visitors and residents. We are looking forward to having 25 Ocean Street ‘dressed in its finest’ by such a talented group of designers. Having this property serve as the Cape May Designer Show House is especially noteworthy this particular year. It was the last house to burn in the great fire of 1878; MAC is remembering that event and honoring Cape May firefighters with its free Carriage House Exhibit, “Cape May Ablaze,” open daily through Oct. 31, 2014.”
Proceeds benefit the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC), a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org. For information about restaurants, accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508. For information about historic accommodations, contact Cape May Historic Accommodations at www.capemaylodging.com.