The Colorful World of MacKenzie-Childs

You may have heard of the MacKenzie-Childs' line of whimsical and colorful home furnishings. The vibrant products are made in a studio high above Cayuga Lake in Aurora. There's also a Farmhouse, with rooms filled with MC furnishings, gardens to walk, and a shop filled with eye-catching wares. Imagine - a colorful butterfly platter, a pink fish bowl, a black and white checked fluted cake stand.

Recently I toured the Farmhouse. After we removed our shoes, our guide Shawn Meyer took a group of us on a fascinating tour. Upon entering, the first thing you notice is the magnificent open stairway. To the right, original doors open to the parlor, decorated primarily in blue. A remarkable fireplace, one of the first projects undertaken in the house, is the focal point, outlined with MacKenzie-Childs' colorful tiles.

Ooh's and ahh's accompanied our group as we wandered through the three-story Victorian house. Checks and pastel stripes, cheerful colors and lovely flowers were combined in ways I could have never dreamed of.
In the formal candle-lit dining room, a table was lavishly set with MC tableware, as if guests are expected at any minute. A new design of plates, Cheslea Luster, was featured here. The next room, the library, picked up its color cues from the green, blue and violet rug. The room was inspired by the featured piece, a Turtle Table, Shawn told us.

Also on the first floor is the kitchen and bar, which, along with the Powder Room, utilize the company's tiles in the décor. In fact, the Powder Room is decorated with every tile McKenzie-Childs has ever made.

The second floor boasts two bedroom suites and a sitting room. The Morning Sweet Room is lovely in green and yellow. The Rose Petal Room is decorated in pastel floral wallpaper.

On the third floor, the Courtly Check Room is easily identifiable with its black and white checks covering the floor and ceiling. This room was originally an office and very few changes had been made here, Shawn said.

Pure Sunshine, also on the third floor, was my favorite. Sunlight poured through the windows, highlighting the sunshine-yellow colors and deep red accents.

Even their brochures are a joy. One is a three-fold with selected cut-outs and depictions of the property and their products. Another is shaped like a teapot, with a fold-out square "teabag" on astring.For more information, visit the MacKenzie-Childs website.

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