Eileen Ford, the woman who founded Ford Models with her husband Jerry, died on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, of complications from a brain tumor and osteoporosis (WSJ). She was 92. Mrs. Ford is credited for turning modeling into a business and for launching the careers of supermodels such as Veruschka, Christie Brinkley and Christy Turlington. Mrs. Ford's obituary in The New York Times states that she "allowed some of her [modeling] charges to live in her Upper East Side townhouse when they were starting out so she could keep a watchful eye on their careers. On weekends, she would take them to her summer home in Quogue, on Long Island, and have them help in the garden." I was curious about this summer home, which was known as Belle Meade until current owner, Simon Rose, CEO of Dahlman Rose & Co., bought it for $5.4 million, renovated it, and renamed it Rose Manor (Business Insider). Take a look . . .   

According to a 2007 article in Newsday, Eileen and Jerry Ford owned Belle Meade during the 1960s and 1970s. They sold the Greek Revival mansion to the late Robert and Robin Cushing, whose family eventually sold it to Simon Rose. 

Eileen Ford's obituary in The New York Times noted that Martha Stewart worked as a Ford model to pay her way through college. I don't know if Mrs. Ford ever invited Ms. Stewart to Belle Meade during her modeling days, but the lifestyle mogul did organize the wedding of Robert and Robin Cushing's daughter Hilary at the estate in 1985 and featured it in her 1987 book, Weddings.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

The following photos of Belle Meade are from the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. I believe these interiors reflect the way the home looked when the Cushing family offered the property for sale
 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 The Douglas Elliman Real Estate website describes Belle Meade as follows: "One of the last great estates in the Hamptons, this 104-year-old Greek Revival mansion located on 3.5 acres in the unspoiled village of Quogue is credited as one of the final masterpieces of McKim, Mead and White architect Stanford White." The home was built in 1906 for the Greeff textile family.
Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

According to Evan Reeves ("Re-Gilding The Gilded Age At The Rose House In Quogue," The East Hampton Press and The Southampton Press - www.27east.com - June 29, 2014), "there is no official confirmation of the famed architect’s involvement in the design of the original house, but there are certain important features that at least suggest his influence, according to Mr. Morabito [broker at Douglas Elliman Real Estate].
One is an inglenook, or chimney corner, a small recess adjoining a fireplace, creating an intimate space nearby that had been popular with prominent American architects. Another is the design of the staircase, which wraps around going toward the second floor. Third is the entryway, which allows the user to see straight through to the backyard, as a breezeway would.
'Bringing the inside out was one of White’s trademark themes,' Mr. Morabito said."

The Douglas Elliman Real Estate website describes Belle Meade as follows: "One of the last great estates in the Hamptons, this 104-year-old Greek Revival mansion located on 3.5 acres in the unspoiled village of Quogue is credited as one of the final masterpieces of McKim, Mead and White architect Stanford White." The home was built in 1906 for the Greeff textile family.
Belle Meade - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Simon Rose has renovated the property, which is now known as Rose Manor rather than Belle Meade. Douglas Elliman Real Estate currently is listing the estate for $15,500,000. The following photos show changes Mr. Rose made:
 "Rose Manor, located in the coveted Estate Section of Quogue, is one of the last remaining examples of the extravagant 'cottages' of the Gilded Age. Reputed to be one of the final masterpieces of legendary architect Stanford White, the stately 31-room mansion and the 3.4 +/- acre manicured grounds have been transported back to their original grandeur after undergoing a meticulous three-year restoration. The property now includes every modern amenity while retaining its original character. Originally commissioned in 1906 by the Greeff textile family, the estate was purchased 50 years later by Eileen and Gerry Ford, founders of Ford Models. This architectural masterpiece is now available for the next generation to enjoy. Prepare to be hypnotized by the rhythm of the Atlantic Ocean and savor the clean sea air as you unwind by the saltwater pool or curl up with a book on one of the numerous porches." 
Text and photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Aerial view of Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

The iconic Scalamandre wallcovering.
Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
Belle Meade/Rose Manor - Quogue South, New York.
Photo via the website of Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

 I found additional photos of the renovated estate on the website 27east.com:
"James Parvin films Enzo Morabito [Real Esate Broker, Douglas Elliman Real Estate] at Rose Manor in Quogue for the NBC show "Open House NYC." 
Photo credit: Dana Shaw.
The East Hampton Press and The Southampton Press - www.27east.com - June 29, 2014.

The main staircase. The wrap-around style of this staircase suggests the influence of architect Stanford White.
Photo credit: Dana Shaw.
The East Hampton Press and The Southampton Press - www.27east.com - June 29, 2014.

"The former dormitory rooms the used to house Eileen Ford's models have been redone in circus motif."
 Photo credit: Dana Shaw.
The East Hampton Press and The Southampton Press - www.27east.com - June 29, 2014.

The kitchen.
Photo credit: Dana Shaw.
The East Hampton Press and The Southampton Press - www.27east.com - June 29, 2014.

The kitchen.
Photo credit: Dana Shaw.
The East Hampton Press and The Southampton Press - www.27east.com - June 29, 2014.

"The inglenook, or chimney corner, which is a small recess that adjoins a fireplace." The inglenook is a feature that suggests the influence of architect Stanford White.
Photo credit: Dana Shaw.
The East Hampton Press and The Southampton Press - www.27east.com - June 29, 2014.

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