BAYSIDE MANOR WILL BE SITE OF AUGUST DESIGN SHOWCASE

May 12, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Simone Cooper
Simone Cooper Public Relations
252-338-6389: telephone number
SCPR@aol.com: e-mail address
BAYSIDE MANOR WILL BE SITE OF AUGUST DESIGN SHOWCASE
August 1st Preview Gala with Live Music, Food, and Drink Will Launch the Event
Special “Empty House Tour” Also Available on June 8th
No one would disagree that Elizabeth City, North Carolina is warm in May but the town known as the “Harbor of Hospitality” will soon become a hotter destination for reasons other than the weather, thanks in large part to The Design House at Bayside Manor. In a project benefiting Arts of the Albemarle, 15 interior designers, artisans, and landscape architects will transform the Greek revival antebellum mansion, located at 1598 Weeksville Road, near the U. S. Coast Guard Base, into a showcase of unusual furnishings and cutting-edge materials. Originally part of the John Hollowell plantation and once owned by Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton, who is an honorary chair for the event, the renovated mansion will embrace the latest design trends and highlight the elegant, the sophisticated, the casual, and the whimsical.

In addition to the eight fireplaces and Gothic staircase inside Bayside Manor, visitors will be in awe of the 5000-square foot setting, which will feature 18 design areas including a grand foyer, gentlemen’s library, living room, dining room, kitchen, suites, bedrooms, bathrooms, and a fantasy playroom, and one area on the third floor of the house will be redesigned by a high school student as a senior project. The property and grounds, which are comprised of ten wooded acres of land, will contain many unique landscaping elements including ornamental water and lighting fixtures. In addition to viewing the renovations, visitors will be able to shop at an on-site boutique where original paintings, prints, photography, and crafts will be sold, including many one-of-a-kind items. Café Montero’s at Bayside, also located on-site, will offer light fare such as sandwiches, salads, and desserts, and box lunches for groups can be reserved in advance.

On June 8th, a special “empty house tour,” will be offered where Bayside Manor can be viewed in its current “before” state. Design boards with photographs, paint and textile swatches, and material samples will be on display in each room which will allow the public to see, step-by-step, how each designer’s concept will come to life. Tickets are $5 and barbeque dinners, prepared by Bob-B-Que, can be purchased on-site. For tickets and information about the Empty House Tour, please contact Beverly Madrin at 252-330-1333.

On August 1st, an elegant preview gala featuring live music by jazz ensemble Connected, food by Montero’s, and spirits by The City Wine Sellar, marks the official launch of the event. Tickets are $100 each and guests will have an opportunity to meet the designers and discuss their work. For tickets and information about the Preview Gala, please contact Beverly Madrin at 252-330-1333.

From August 3rd until August 17th, The Design House at Bayside Manor tour will be held and hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the door and can be purchased in advance for $12. A two-week pass is also available for $25 and allows ticket holders access to special on-site events such as a master storytelling session, a fashion show, a butterfly gardening workshop, and a harp concert. Off-site events connected with Design House such as a wine tasting, a bridge tournament, and a traditional British high tea, will also take place (may require reservations and additional fees). Museum of the Albemarle will offer an exhibition of Hollowell family artifacts as well as a slide show of a family scrapbook and The Pines at Elizabeth City will display historical archival photographs of the interior of Bayside Manor.

Upon the launch of Design House, Bayside Manor will be available for purchase through the Manuli-Stone Real Estate Team, an Elizabeth City-based concern.

For a complete listing of details about The Design House at Bayside Manor and related events, please contact Angela Stone at 252-339-2418 or visit www.baysidemanortour.com.