Freehold man selected as showhouse designer

Freehold resident Nelson Kuper-berg is one of 35 leading interior designers who have been selected to design and furnish the Stately Homes By-the-Sea designer showhouse in Rumson.

The house, formerly the Metcalf Estate and now known as Scothigh Farm, will be open to the public for the month of May.

Kuperberg, a trustee of the Mon-mouth County Historical Association, will work collaboratively with MCHA to transform the "trunk room," tucked under the eaves on the third floor.

"It's a great opportunity to design a space like this in a house like this," he said.

His firm, Nelson & Co., is in New York. MCHA is based in Freehold.

Kuperberg will base his design on the concept of an artist's studio. Using paintings, sculpture and artifacts from the historical association's collections, he will create vignettes that show an artist at work, according to a press release.

The chosen designers recently had an opportunity to meet each other at a luncheon held at the estate. When asked what interested them in the project, the designers were unanimous: it's all about the house.

The 11,000-square-foot colonial revival house was built in 1926 for Manton B. Metcalf Jr., and his wife, Isabella, as a summer home that they called "the beach house." Set on 30 acres, the estate is the largest privately owned property in Rumson. Built at the height of the Jazz Age and the Great Gatsby era, the estate was the scene of large and lavish parties. It was also the age of prohibition, accounting for a hidden liquor vault reached through a trap door in the library floor.

Participating designers were selected from interior designers across New Jersey and the metropolitan area.

"Our design committee received outstanding proposals for each and every space in this remarkable house. This will be a designer showhouse to remember," said Mindy Minerva, who chairs the showhouse with B.J. Henderson.

The showhouse is presented by Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey to benefit its home health services and community-based programs. Special events and charitable donations make it possible for the agency to provide care regardless of a family's ability to cover the cost, according to the press release.

"What makes this endeavor truly worthwhile is knowing that the funds raised will make an impact on so many lives," Henderson said.

The showhouse will be open to the public from Tuesday through Sunday, May 1-31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A boutique and café will be open on the grounds. Showhouse tickets will be available at $35 per person at the door ($25 if purchased in advance) and $20 for seniors. To reserve tickets, call the VNACJ special events office at (732) 224-6791.