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Jane Pauley takes CBS Sunday Morning to Philadelphia this Sunday for the network’s beloved annual By Design special. The Emmy Award-winning host anchors from the stunning 114-year-old Ardrossan mansion on the Main Line, spotlighting the city’s rich architectural legacy, design heritage, and iconic food culture.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Air Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET on CBS
- Host Location: Ardrossan Estate in Villanova on Philadelphia’s Main Line
- Mansion History: 30,000-square-foot Georgian revival built in 1912, inspired the 1940 film The Philadelphia Story
- Annual Tradition: 25+ years celebrating all aspects of design across architecture, fashion, food, and culture
A Gilded Age Time Capsule Opens Its Doors
The Ardrossan Estate serves as the perfect backdrop for this year’s special. Built between 1908 and 1912 by banking magnate Col. Robert Montgomery, the mansion sprawls across 750 acres at its peak. Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer designed the property for Philadelphia’s elite circles, incorporating the sophisticated aesthetic of a British country house. The grand home boasts 14 bedrooms, nine full bathrooms, 18 fireplaces, and a breathtaking 1,000-square-foot ballroom complete with gleaming chandeliers. Montgomery’s eldest daughter, Helen Hope Montgomery Scott, inspired playwright Philip Barry’s 1939 play The Philadelphia Story, which starred Katharine Hepburn and became a Hollywood classic.
Philadelphia Design: From Architecture to the Iconic Cheesesteak
Jane Pauley will guide viewers through Philadelphia’s extraordinary design heritage in this week’s special. The show celebrates the legacy of 19th-century architect Frank Furness, whose fearless designs broke from Victorian conventions. Robert Costa explores how Furness transformed Philadelphia’s skyline through buildings like the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Beyond architecture, the special ventures into Philadelphia food culture, featuring Pat’s King of Steaks for an intimate look at the sacred cheesesteak sandwich, Center City Soft Pretzel Co. for the beloved soft pretzel, and Liberty Kitchen for lessons in constructing the perfect hoagie.
Jane Pauley hosts CBS Sunday Morning’s annual By Design special in Philadelphia
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Global Design Meets Philadelphia Excellence
| Segment | Feature |
| Fashion & Luxury | Louis Vuitton’s artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière with correspondent Alina Cho |
| Fashion Design | Finnish brand Marimekko’s 75-year legacy of bold graphics and vibrant colors |
| Modern Architecture | Adobe construction renaissance in the Southwest with correspondent Conor Knighton |
| Gardens | Longwood Gardens in nearby Kennett Square, Pennsylvania |
Correspondent Alina Cho travels to Paris to showcase the Louis Vuitton empire, featuring the luxury brand’s interconnected LV logo and upcoming collaboration with the estate of late artist Keith Haring. The Marimekko segment takes viewers all the way to Finland to explore how this company’s distinctive design philosophy has influenced global fashion and home decor for over seven decades. Conor Knighton investigates the surging adobe architecture trend, showing how ancient mud brick construction is merging with 3-D printing technology for sustainable building solutions.
“Philadelphia is America’s birthplace, and when it comes to design, there is so much beauty here. You can’t ask for a better launching point.”
— Jane Pauley, CBS News Sunday Morning Host
Artistry Meets Architecture in Sunday’s Showcase
Beyond Philadelphia landmarks, CBS Sunday Morning spotlights remarkable design stories across multiple mediums. Viewers will discover Lily Hevesh, the world’s greatest domino artist, as she creates intricate structures with thousands of dominoes before toppling them in breathtaking sequences. Mo Rocca examines the opulence and tradition of chandeliers, exploring why these decorative fixtures remain the showstopping focal points of grand rooms. Martha Teichner visits the Osher Map Library at the University of Southern Maine, revealing how cartography remains vital in the GPS age, featuring centuries-old maps dating back to the 15th century. Director Jon Favreau discusses his new Star Wars film premiering May 22, explaining how handmade elements create the beloved galaxy far, far away.
Why This Broadcast Matters for Design Lovers Everywhere
CBS Sunday Morning’s annual By Design special has celebrated design innovation for over 25 years, traveling to cities like Florence, Rome, Amsterdam, and London. Host Jane Pauley assumed the anchor role in 2016 after three decades at NBC’s Today show, bringing her signature journalistic excellence to cultural storytelling. Producer Jon Carras has stewarded By Design for a decade, curating stories that celebrate beauty, craftsmanship, and human creativity. This year’s Philadelphia edition marks a full-circle moment, placing America’s historic cradle of independence at the center of a conversation about timeless aesthetic value. Will Jane Pauley unveil a hidden design treasure you’ve walked past your entire life? Tune in Sunday at 9 a.m. ET on CBS.
Sources
- CBS News – Official Sunday Morning preview and episode guide for May 17, 2026 By Design special
- The Philadelphia Inquirer – Elizabeth Wellington’s behind-the-scenes report on Jane Pauley filming at Ardrossan Estate
- CBS News Philadelphia – Coverage of the annual design episode featuring Philadelphia landmarks and culture
