Showhouses defy the classic wisdom: “Too many cooks spoil the soup.” Though they are well stocked with voices used to calling the shots, somehow their individual flavors come together to form a delightful buffet. “What I always find fascinating—and I’ve probably been involved in about 25 showhouses now—is that even though all of these designers are working independently, and we give them very little direction, the house almost always ends up feeling cohesive in the end,” says Steven Mandel, who was instrumental in bringing together the many creative forces that shaped this project.
Certain designers are eager to take on the challenge. “Showhouses are one of the few places where designers really get to stretch,” Mandel says. “In a normal client project, there are always practical limits, but in a showhouse people can push ideas further and take a few risks. That’s what makes them fun to walk through.” This particular house, located in picturesque Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, also boasted a uniquely artful twist. Donald Chris – tiansen, founder of Chelsea Art Group, participated in curating an expansive collection of art, with each room showcasing multiple pieces in a variety of media. “The design and art were really in conversation,” says Mandel. “In a lot of showhouses, the art is there to complement the room, but here it felt like the art and the interiors were part of the same story.”
Outside, the showhouse gleamed in welcoming white—perfectly complemented by stonework featuring Buechel’s White Country Squire with Indiana limestone sills. “The exterior is your opening moment,” says Mandel. “If the outside feels thoughtful and well crafted, it immediately sets expectations for what’s inside.”
Buechel also helped greet guests via an exterior walkway that featured the premiere of new Fond du Lac Planking—installed in a classic running bond pattern. “Buechel Stone helped give the house that sense of authenticity right away,” adds Mandel. “Natural stone has a weight and permanence to it that you just feel when you approach a home. It makes the house feel grounded and timeless, which is a great way to welcome visitors before they start exploring the interiors.”
And what interiors awaited: designer Steven Walsh delivered a Moire Bedroom in vivid teal and gold with a massive piece of art positioned like a maximalist headboard. In an expansive Wine and Games Lounge by Leyden Lewis, a glass-top coffee table became like a frame—reflecting different pieces of art from each angle. Terri Fiori’s meditative sitting room was inspired by the AppleTV+ series Severance but enlivened by large, impactful canvases. And Andre Hilton crafted a Primary Suite fit for a luxury jet-setter that boasted more beautiful natural stone: a fireplace clad in Ivory Sand Tailored Blend, also new from Buechel.
In addition to the joy of bringing together beloved designers and brands, the showhouse sought to do good by partnering with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which supports members of the military, first responders, and their families—providing mortgage-free homes, building smart homes for the catastrophically injured, and addressing veteran homelessness. “When the design community rallies around a cause,” says Mandel, “it’s creative, but it’s also generous. That combination makes the whole experience feel more purposeful.”
