The Grove's connection to Chelsea's wedding

Our friend Mary MacDonald's company MACCI Design Studio, in Coconut Grove, is thrilled that the Clinton family has selected the" Oldest Inn in America," 1777, the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck, NY, as family headquarters for their daughter Chelsea's wedding to investment banker Marc Mezvinsky.

She's thrilled because she as have fond memories of creating a unique and respectful design for this historic inn.



From Mary:

"The Beek" design was truely a work of love. For example, we scoured the attic and found guest registries from the 1700 and 1800's where guests signed in with dip pens in old English penmanship. Rooms were 2 dollars at the time and another 25 cents for a horse. We framed pages from these books containing famous signatures and they are hanging on the walls of the lobby and library. President George Washington really did sleep there!

Each guestroom is individually designed in a tailored American Country style. Challenges included the ceiling heights that varied from six and one-half feet to eleven feet high. Historic wood flooring was discovered under carpet and restored. New bathrooms were carved out of the building for each room; no more sharing! Colors are very Americana - mostly red, white and blue small stripes and plaids.


The room where we imagine Chelsea is staying is a spacous corner room with high ceilings and large windows. The color scheme in that room varies from the norm and is yellow with gray and a touch of spring green. The bed is a four poster metal bed frame that has a wheat wreath carved and incorporated in the headboard; the same wreath that is on the first US copper penny.

As for Bill and Hillary, we suspect they will be in an opposite corner in a blue and white room that was featured in Town and Country Magazine.

"I am so proud that the Clintons love this bit of Americana as I do." says Mary MacDonald, Principal in Charge of Design at MACCI. "And I wish the couple all the happiness in the world."