Local Designer Linda Pastorino Creates Holiday Magic at the Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall

Renowned local designer Linda Pastorino lends her creative touch this year to a festively decorated Christmas tree filled with rare antique ornaments at the Morris County Historical Society’s Victorian-inspired holiday season celebration at Acorn Hall. Ms. Pastorino is graciously showing ornaments from her extensive personal collection, dating from the late 19th century through the 1930s, which she has artfully arranged on a lighted Christmas tree in Acorn Hall’s Front Parlor. Acorn Hall’s holiday display begins on Sunday, November 29 and continues through Sunday, January 10, 2016.

Antique ornaments evoke memories of special times, people, and places. Ms. Pastorino developed an early passion for collecting 40 years ago alongside her parents, who were collectors of Americana. She purchased her first antique ornaments at flea markets as a youngster, and some of her favorite colorful birds and whimsical mushrooms decorate Acorn Hall’s parlor tree. Also displayed, are rare Dresden paper ornaments shaped like fish, fragile blown-glass Santa Claus figurines, and star-shaped beaded-wire ornaments from Czechoslovakia and Japan. Ms. Pastorino “loves to decorate trees, old or new” and as a designer, enjoys creating themed Christmas trees for clients.

A designer “all of my life” who has traveled worldwide, Ms. Pastorino graduated in the 1970s from the Parson’s School of Design. While at Parson’s, she sold antiques, folk art, and clothing at the eclectic New York shop Putumayo (now Putumayo World Music). The owner Dan Storper sent her to India to acquire pieces to start the shop’s own brand fashion collection. “During this time,” she continues, ”I also was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute working under Diana Vreeland and Jane Drusedow researching Ethnic costume and documenting the Ethnic jewelry  collections.” While interning , Ms. Pastorino taught a Master’s degree class on the trade routes of costume construction in relation to South American copes of the 12th - 16th centuries and trade routes from the Byzantine Empires.

As her expertise grew, Ms. Pastorino created her own branded business of Asian-sourced tribal art, ethnographic clothing, and jewelry. However, Ms. Pastorino’s interests truly know no boundaries, and also “include all kinds of decorative arts spanning Europe and America.” This rich global background is reflected in her signature style that encompasses designing and curating clothing, jewelry, handbags, and accessories with a worldwide flavor for her clients. Ms. Pastorino is currently rebranding her Chester, NJ-based company to offer her services in various design aspects to develop products that blend together antiques, fashion, and decorative arts offerings in interior design and garden design projects.

The admission to tour Acorn Hall and view the current exhibit is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $3 for students, and Free for children under age 12 and MCHS members. Acorn Hall is located at 68 Morris Avenue, Morristown, and is open for tours on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please contact the MCHS at 973-267-3465, or email mchsacornhall@gmail.com.

The Morris County Historical Society was founded in 1945. The Society’s mission is dedicated to the discovery, preservation, promotion, and interpretation of Morris County history through events, programs, exhibits, and preservation advocacy. The Morris County Historical Society is a member-supported, 501 (c) 3 non-profit.