Samuel Robert Signature Spaces of Rockaway and Back to Nature Home & Garden of Basking Ridge
MORRISTOWN, NJ, May 25, 2023 –The Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) is pleased to announce the winners of its Mansion in May 2023 Tulip Award. Sam Ciardi of Samuel Robert Signature Spaces and the Back to Nature Home & Garden team, Erika Mantz and Anthony Sblendorio, were recognized with Mansion in May’s highest honor as selected by visitors who cast ballots for their favorite interior and landscape spaces at the end of their tours.
WAMMC’s 20th signature fundraiser at Three Fields in the Borough of Mendham, New Jersey will be available for visitors to tour the mansion and gardens, along with these award-winning spaces, seven days a week through May 31. All proceeds will benefit the expansion and modernization of the Institute of Bioskills Training and Innovation at Morristown Medical Center.
“All of our interior and landscape designers have done a spectacular job. We are so grateful for their participation in this year’s Mansion in May. Each one of them brought their individual creativity and expertise and worked long hours to make this mansion such a success,” said Mary Courtemanche, Co-Chair, Mansion in May 2023.
“Our guests truly had a tough time when choosing their favorite spaces,” said Barbara Ruane, Co-Chair, Mansion in May 2023. “The visitors were so enthralled with the beauty of each room and the beautifully landscaped spaces, which made their decisions even more difficult.”
INTERIOR DESIGN WINNER…L to R: Lisa Overley, Interior Design Co-Chair; Mary Courtemanche, Co-Chair, Mansion in May 2023; Alexandra Elliot, Co-Chair, Interior Design; Sam Ciardi, Samuel Robert Signature Spaces; Barbara Ruane, Co-Chair, Mansion in May 2023; Kathy Christie, President, Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center.
According to interior design space Tulip Award winner Sam Ciardi, the design for “Moor and Mountain” was inspired by a desire to create a space in which to come into from out in the cold, curl up by the fireplace and enjoy the holiday in a majestic, yet cozy, cabin. The natural color palette warms you as it illuminates against the dark wood. Fine art and trophy collections add to the appeal of this rustic but regal retreat. From a deconstructed wingback, one can enjoy the magnificent spruce trimmed to perfection, as well as the rest of the holiday décor.
Sam Ciardi said, “For me, this design was a labor of love and I’m grateful to the Women’s Association for providing me with the opportunity to share my inspiration with their Mansion in May visitors.”
LANDSCAPE DESIGN WINNER…L to R: Katherine Sheeleigh, Co-Chair, Landscape Design; Michelle Meszaros, Co-Chair, Landscape Design; Erika Mantz, Back to Nature; Anthony Sblendorio, Back to Nature
The landscape designers and winners of the Tulip Award, Erika Mantz and Anthony Sblendorio, transformed the area in front of the pool house. Aptly named the “Petite Parterre,” it was inspired by the iconic parterre gardens of the French countryside. A modern twist on the classic garden layout delivers an explosion of blooms in a gradient of colors, framed by a compact hedge. The antique olive jar planted with cascading annuals acts as a centerpiece, utilizing viewpoints from the pool house and adjacent landscape spaces.
Erika Mantz said, “We hope the garden speaks to the importance of slowing our pace by taking time to appreciate the beauty in our surroundings.”
“At Back to Nature, we work to inspire reciprocity between people and nature by designing thoughtful, functional and regenerative environments to be enjoyed by generations to come, said Anthony Sblendoria. “We’re glad that we had an opportunity to be a part of Mansion in May 2023 and support the Women’s Association in their ongoing efforts on behalf of Morristown Medical Center.”
Three Fields, a 9,000 square foot stone, brick and tile-roofed French manor style home, was designed by New York architect Greville Rickard for Benjamin Duncan Mosser and his wife, the former Florence Willets Mosford. Three Fields was designed and built between 1928 and 1930 and is beautifully situated on almost 36 acres of pastoral, rolling fields and features many architectural elements.
Mansion in May is the preeminent designer showhouse in the New Jersey-New York area, attracting over 20,000 visitors to the event, typically held every other year. As a fundraiser for Morristown Medical Center, the event is known for presenting the area’s most unique and historic mansions, restored through the work of top interior and landscape designers.
Mansion in May 2023 will be open every day until May 31. Tickets may be purchased online and at the door at $50. For tickets and to learn more about Mansion in May 2023 please visit mansioninmay.org
PHOTOS BY DANNETTE MERCHANT
Interior Design Tulip Award Winner “Mountain and Moor” – Sam Ciardi, Samuel Robert Signature Spaces
Landscape Design Tulip Award Winner “Petite Parterre” – Erika Mantz, Anthony Sblendorio, Back to Nature
ABOUT THE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION FOR MORRISTOWN MEDICAL CENTER
Founded in March 1893 to provide financial support to Morristown Medical Center, part of the Atlantic Health System, the Women’s Association for Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) helps enable the hospital to respond to the changing healthcare needs of the community. With a volunteer base of more than 400 members, WAMMC hosts a number of fundraising events, anchored by the flagship event, Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens. WAMMC also operates the hospital’s gift shops and The Bargain Box Thrift Boutique, as well as WAMMC Network TV, which created Calling All Kids and is the first in-house family television station for young patients and their families to enjoy during their stay at the hospital. WAMMC is an integral part of the hospital’s ability to continue bringing cutting-edge technology and superior health services to the community, and has raised more than $30 million to date to support this mission. For more information about WAMMC, visit http://www.wammc.org.
