If you’ve spent any time watching The Real Housewives of New York City, you already know the name. It’s not just a house. It’s basically a character with its own personality, temperament, and—if we’re being honest—a history of hosting some of the most chaotic dinner parties in reality TV history. Blue Stone Manor sits tucked away in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and it’s a far cry from the glass-and-steel penthouses of Manhattan.
It’s cozy. It’s over-the-top. It’s kind of a lot to take in.
Dorinda Medley, the estate's owner and a mainstay of the Bravo universe, didn't just buy this place on a whim. There's a deep, emotional tether here. Her late husband, Richard Medley, bought it for her as a wedding gift. Imagine that for a second. Most people get a Vitamix or some nice towels. Dorinda got an 11,000-square-foot Tudor-style mansion built in the early 1900s. The property spans about 18 acres, giving it that "isolated estate" vibe that makes for perfect television drama but also serves as a genuine sanctuary.
What Actually Makes Blue Stone Manor Different?
Most celebrity homes feel like staged museums. You know the look: white bouclé sofas, zero clutter, and kitchens that look like nobody has ever boiled an egg in them. Blue Stone Manor is the polar opposite of that. It’s stuffed with stuff. It has soul.
The architecture is classic Stanford White-era inspired. We're talking thick stone walls—actual blue stone, hence the name—and heavy wooden beams. The interiors are a kaleidoscopic fever dream of Dorinda’s personal taste. It’s "Berks-sheer" chic. You have taxidermy, vibrant floral wallpapers, velvet upholstery, and more Christmas decorations than a Macy’s flagship store during the holidays.
Honestly, the house feels like a giant hug from a wealthy, slightly eccentric aunt who has a lot of stories and maybe one too many martini glasses.
People always ask if the house is really that blue. It depends on the light. The stone has a grey-blue cast that changes as the sun sets over the Berkshire mountains. It’s solid. It feels permanent in a world where everything else feels temporary. This sense of permanence is likely why Dorinda clung to it so tightly after Richard passed away in 2011. It wasn't just real estate; it was a physical manifestation of a chapter of her life she wasn't ready to close.
The "Make It Nice" Philosophy and Reality TV Fame
You can’t talk about Blue Stone Manor without talking about the "Fish Room."
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If you know, you know.
During the infamous Season 9 trip of RHONY, the "Fish Room" became a point of major contention among the cast. It’s a bedroom adorned with actual mounted fish. Luann de Lesseps famously didn't want to stay there. It sparked a level of vitriol that seems ridiculous to an outsider but makes total sense if you understand the pressure cooker of reality filming.
The house has seen it all:
- The "Bezerkshires" fights.
- The 2017 "jovial" dinner party that went south.
- The Ultimate Girls Trip filming where a whole new generation of Housewives had to follow Dorinda’s strict house rules.
There is a specific etiquette to staying at Blue Stone Manor. You don't eat in the bedrooms. You show up for dinner on time. You appreciate the effort. As Dorinda famously screamed, "I cooked, I decorated, I made it nice!"
That phrase has become a mantra for fans of the show. It’s about the labor of hospitality. While the cameras capture the screaming matches, they also capture the massive amount of work that goes into maintaining an estate of this size. It's not just about having a housekeeper; it’s about the obsessive attention to detail—the specific way the napkins are folded and the precise placement of the nutcracker collection during the winter months.
The Restoration After the Flood
In 2019, the manor faced a legitimate crisis. A pipe burst.
It wasn't just a small leak. It was a catastrophic flood that gutted a significant portion of the first floor. For a lot of homeowners, that would be the moment to sell and move on. Not Dorinda. She used it as an opportunity to "reset" the house.
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The restoration took nearly a year. She worked with professionals to ensure the historical integrity of the home remained intact while updating the color palettes. The "new" Blue Stone Manor is a bit brighter, but it hasn't lost that signature "more is more" aesthetic. The primary suite, the dining hall, and even the notorious guest rooms were given a facelift.
Can You Actually Stay There?
This is where things get interesting for the average person who doesn't have a Bravo contract.
In 2021, Dorinda briefly listed Blue Stone Manor on Airbnb. It wasn't a permanent rental situation, but rather a promotional event for her book launch and the return of the show. It was a genius marketing move. For about $100 a night (a steal, obviously), a few lucky fans got to sleep in the rooms they’d seen on TV for a decade.
Since then, the house has remained a private residence, though it is frequently used for brand activations and photo shoots. It’s a revenue-generating asset now. It’s a brand.
If you're looking to visit the area, you can't just walk up to the gates. Security is tight, and for good reason. Fans have been known to drive by just to catch a glimpse of the blue stone walls. Great Barrington itself is a beautiful town, full of antique shops and high-end eateries that the cast frequently visits, like The Red Lion Inn in nearby Stockbridge.
The Economic Impact of a Reality TV House
It sounds silly, but Blue Stone Manor actually boosted tourism in the Berkshires.
For years, the Hamptons was the "it" destination for the New York elite. But the show portrayed the Berkshires as a rugged, sophisticated alternative. Suddenly, people wanted to go to "The Berks." They wanted the fall foliage, the cozy fireplaces, and the sense of old-world Americana that the manor represents.
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The house is a masterpiece of the Shingle Style and Tudor Revival blend. Built by the architect Marshall Waller in 1902, it represents a period of American history where "summer cottages" were actually gargantuan mansions built by industrial titans. Richard Medley’s purchase of the home brought it back into the hands of someone who appreciated that history.
Practical Insights for Your Own "Manor"
You might not own an 18-acre estate in Massachusetts, but there are things to learn from the way Dorinda manages Blue Stone Manor. It’s about intentional living.
- Define your house rules. Whether it's "no shoes on the rug" or "everyone helps with the dishes," a home functions better when guests know the expectations. It reduces friction.
- Embrace maximalism if it makes you happy. Minimalist trends come and go. Blue Stone Manor is proof that a home filled with personal mementos, bold colors, and "clutter" can feel more luxurious than a sterile modern box.
- Invest in the bones. The reason the manor survived a century and a massive flood is the quality of the original construction. Stone and solid wood are timeless.
- Localize your decor. Much of the charm of the manor comes from its connection to the Berkshires—the local antiques, the seasonal greenery, and the nod to the surrounding nature.
The Future of the Estate
There are always rumors about whether Dorinda will sell. Maintenance on a home like this is a full-time job and an astronomical expense. Think about the heating bills alone in a Massachusetts winter.
But for now, Blue Stone Manor remains the crown jewel of the Medley empire. It is a symbol of resilience. It survived the 1920s, it survived a flood, and it survived a dozen Real Housewives fueled by tequila and grudges.
If you’re planning a trip to the Berkshires, do yourself a favor: drive through Great Barrington. You won't get past the gates of the manor, but you'll feel the energy of the place. It’s a reminder that houses are more than just shelter; they are the vessels for our stories, our heartbreaks, and our most ridiculous memories.
To really get the Blue Stone Manor experience without the price tag, focus on your own hospitality. Light the candles. Set a formal table for no reason. Put out the good snacks. As the lady of the manor says, just make it nice.
Next time you're watching an old episode, look past the shouting. Look at the craftsmanship of the molding. Look at the way the light hits the stone. That’s the real star of the show.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check out the Great Barrington historical archives if you're interested in the early 20th-century architects who built these "summer cottages."
- If you're visiting the Berkshires, book a stay at The Red Lion Inn to get a similar historic vibe.
- Follow Dorinda Medley’s social media for rare glimpses into the "non-televised" parts of the gardens and grounds, which are arguably more beautiful than the interior.