On Wednesday, August 7th, Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee, owners of the legendary Grey Gardens, opened the doors of the estate for friends and fans of Serena &Lily, the lifestyle and home décor brand which recently opened its first retail store in Wainscott. Garden gurus, designers, and glam guests delightfully wandered the property, and got to hear first-hand accounts of the Beale women from Ben, Sally, and family. KDH was thrilled to explore Grey Gardens in person, having been a longtime fan of this storied estate and the legendary Beale ladies. Check out these gorgeous gardens in my new KDHamptons Photo Diary below:

At 91, Ben Bradlee appears to be cut out of a scene in the Great Gatsby. A slicked back silver fox in a navy blazer & linen pinstripe trousers, Bradlee held court sharing stories about the incredible renovation of Grey Gardens, as well as anecdotes about many design architectural and details that were preserved. All of the books [must be hundreds] in the myriad bookcases belonged to the Beales, as well as the iron and wicker furniture we perched on listening with wide eyes to tales of ghosts that have been seen in the home over the years by family and friends. Ben’s niece Courtney Roberts [below] shared a story with me about seeing a woman appear in a white high-necked Victorian night gown when she was a teen!

Photos, books, and personal items belonging to the Beales are displayed throughout the home.

Guests included: Marianne Howatson, Pamela Eldridge and Kendell Cronstrom of HC&G [In May 2012, the magazine ran a cover story on the property and its restoration by Quinn and Bradlee]. Also in attendance were Serena & Lily co-founder Serena Dugan, NY-based interior designer Malcolm James Kutner, Hearst Design Group market director Sabine Rothman, and nominated designer Carolyn Pressly-Ryan of Carolyn Pressly Interiors.

The following day after the party it was announced that Ben Bradlee will be a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, along with Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Gloria Steinem and others. As executive editor of the Washington Post from 1968 to 1991, he still serves as a vice president at-large. Bradlee became a national figure during the presidency of Richard Nixon, when he challenged the federal government over the right to publish the Pentagon Papers and oversaw the publication of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s stories documenting the Watergate scandal.

Congratulations Mr. Bradlee!

[more details here: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-08-08/politics/41193225_1_presidential-medal-clinton-foundation-washington-post]

For more information about Serena & Lily visit serenaandlily.com or visit the store at: Serena & Lily Beach Market, 322 Montauk Highway Wainscott

** All photos by Kelli Delaney Kot unless noted BFAnyc