Photograph of McIntire Farm courtesy of RE/MAX Realty One
McIntire Farm: Old York's 20th Annual Decorator Show House
The Museums of Old York will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Decorator Show House at McIntire Farm on Cider Hill Road in York, Maine. This 1920s farmhouse features dozens of spaces, each to be decorated by one of the region’s most talented and imaginative designers. McIntire Farm overlooks the beautiful marshes and York River. Much of the surrounding property is protected by a conservation easement held by the York Land Trust or Museums of Old York and is a part of the McIntire homestead, which dates back to 1707. There are several fireplaces throughout the farmhouse that date back to the original structure, which was destroyed by a fire in 1922. A Portsmouth architect was then hired to design and build a new house for this farming family. The house was seriously damaged by another fire on the Sunday following Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. Steeped in history, surrounded by fields and marsh, and well-pointed to enjoy the view of the York River this splendid residence will soon showcase the designers' talents. The interior of the home will be every bit as inspiring and beautiful as the location!
The Decorator Show House will run from July 18th through August 15th. McIntire Farm, located at 270 Cider Hill Road in York, can be viewed Monday, Wednesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday until 7 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays. On-site parking is available and admission is $20. Tickets to the Show House are good for $2.00 off the cost of admission to the Museums of Old York. For more information about this incredible event, related programming or ticket purchases, please call (207) 363-4974.
Special thanks to RE/MAX Realty One, Sponsor of the 2009 Decorator Show House!
20th Anniversary Preview Gala
Join the celebration! Old York's 20th Annual Decorator Show House will open with a preview gala celebration to benefit the Museums of Old York. Attendees can enjoy a first glimpse of the Show House, meet the visionary designers, enjoy fine food and an open bar, while dancing the night away! The event will be held at McIntire Farm, located at 270 Cider Hill Road in York, on Friday, July 17th from 6 ~ 9 p.m. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased by calling (207) 363-4974. Patrons who donate $250 will receive two tickets to the event, reserved seating at our Patrons' Table and special recognition.
Special thanks to Accent Home & Garden, Premier Media Sponsor of the 2009 Decorator Show House and Presenting Sponsor of the 20th Anniversary Preview Gala!
Luncheon Lecture Series
Patty Roche: Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School
Forget about the Food Network! Come to the Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School for a summer-inspired cooking demonstration by Chef Patty Roche. Prepared right before your eyes, your lunch will be served with a full complement of cooking tips, food facts and stories from the kitchen. Seating is extremely limited. Wednesday, July 22nd from 12~1:30 p.m. at the Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School, 2 Stonewall Lane off U.S. Route One in York. $55 includes demonstration, lunch and Show House admission.
Kacey Graham, Frank Hodge, Joyce Jordan and Nicole Yee: Design Discussion
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Old York's Decorator Show House? Four of this year's outstanding designers will discuss their methods of design, share stories from the field and answer your decorating questions. Wednesday, July 29th starting at 10:30 a.m. at the York Harbor Reading Room, 491 York Street in York Harbor. $55 includes presentation, lunch and Show House admission. Please note that parking in York Harbor is limited. To avoid being ticketed, please be sure to park in accordance with all signs.
Katherine Davis: At Home with the Novel
Katherine Davis, author of Capturing Paris and East Hope, will talk about the importance of place in novels and the special role houses play in works of fiction. The stories we read come alive and take on particular significance because of their setting. Whether sipping tea in a drawing room in Bath in a Jane Austen novel or drinking champagne on a terrace in West Egg thanks to F. Scott Fitzgerald, the books we read give us a home away from home. Wednesday, August 5th starting at 11:30 a.m. at Blue Sky, 2 Beach Street in York Beach. $55 includes presentation, lunch and Show House admission. Please note that parking in York Beach is limited and, in many cases, metered. To avoid being ticketed, please be sure to park in accordance with all signs.
Cocktails and Conversation
Bill Graham: Christmas in August
Back by popular demand! Bill Graham of Beautiful Things in Salem, MA, will present an entertaining program of floral design and fashion. Specializing in creative designs and women's accessories, Bill is also a humorist and loves sharing his anecdotes and techniques. Floral designs will be raffled and accessories and millinery will be for sale. Monday, August 10th from 6~8 p.m. at the York Golf and Tennis Club's Old Clubhouse, 62 Organug Road in York. $55 includes presentation, hors d'oeuvres and Show House admission. A cash bar will be available from 6 to 7 p.m.
Designers at the 20th Annual Decorator Show House
The Dooryard Garden |
Farmer’s Porch |
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Powder Room Annie Kiladjian |
Living Room |
Reading Room |
Dining Room |
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Main Stairway |
Savannah’s Room |
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Marjorie’s Room |
Family Bath Jim Wood |
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Charlotte Rose’s Nursery |
Frankie’s Room |
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Secret Hideaway |
Master Bedroom and Balcony |
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Sitting Room |
Mudroom |
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Kitchen and Pantry |
Trophy Room |
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Family Room |
Barn Patio |
In addition to the wonderful items brought in by the interior and landscape designers, items will be available to purchase through a boutique and at a juried art exhibit in the barn:
Boutique |
Barn Art Exhibit |
Are you a Designer?
Interior decorators, garden designers, landscapers and artists make the Decorator Show House possible! If you would like to get involved, we'd love to hear from you. To be added to our list of designers invited to participate in our annual Decorator Show House, please email your contact information -- including name, company, mailing address, phone and email -- to Erica Holthausen, Development and Community Relations, at development@oldyork.org or call (207) 363-4974.
Volunteer at the 20th Annual Decorator Show House
Volunteers are involved in every aspect of planning, organizing and running the Decorator Show House. If you would like to be involved, please email us at showhouse@oldyork.org or call the Museums of Old York at (207) 363-4974.
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Directions to McIntire Farm: From I-95, take exit 7 and merge onto the spur road, heading towards U.S. Route 1. Go right on U.S. Route 1 South. At the third set of traffic lights, turn right onto Route 91 -- Cider Hill Road. McIntire Farm is located at 270 Cider Hill Road, approximately 2½ miles on the left. Parking is available in the field adjacent to the farmhouse.
If you have any questions about the Decorator Show House, please call (207) 363-4974.