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Archive for April, 2012

43 Huckleberry Lane and a stop for eggs at Crafty Farm Girl

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

On Tuesday we were at it again.  We started the morning with a trip to Crafty Farm Girl in Tokeneke to  pick up some fresh eggs.  Yes, that’s right….I said fresh eggs…in Tokeneke, not the Berkshires. They are from the chickens she keeps, and Crafty Farm Girl sells them in a cooler at the end of her driveway along with other homemade treats.

 

Margot picking up some eggs

 

This is a soon to be local lust.  Stay tuned…..

 

 

We then ventured with great anticipation to 43 Huckleberry Lane. We were excited to see architecture not usually on the market in Darien.  This house is SO COOL!  Frank Lloyd Wright or The Harvard Five from New Canaan is the first thing that comes to mind. The Living Room is the MOST dramatic I have seen in town.

The back wall in the living room is stone, like the wall around the fireplace. This room is just stunning and I can imagine how magical it would be during the fall or a snowstorm.

 

 

At 5,800 square feet of open space, this contemporary is screaming for  entertaining.  The kitchen and dining room have the same stunning panoramic windows but there is a cozy family room if you want to escape. Three bedrooms are on the first floor with their own TV area, and a large master upstairs with his and hers bathrooms, closets (dreaming about that right now), and an office.   The large laundry room includes the all important dog bath. The basement hosts an oversized  TV/workout/bar area with access to the pool. It also has a new solar thermal system for the a/c and heat.

We would love to show you this unique property.  Call us if you would like to see it.  We dare you to think outside the “colonial” box and consider what will be THE GO TO HOUSE FOR A GREAT PARTY!  This property is offered through Kelly Associates at $2,199,000. THIS PROPERTY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

 

DWR on Canal Street in Stamford

 

P.S. We were really pleased to hear that Design Within Reach has moved their headquarters to our very own Stamford, CT.   Walking through 43 Huckleberry Lane brought all kinds of ideas to mind of what DWR could bring to a design and decorating makeover here! Take a trip down to Design within Reach in Stamford.  It will inspire you to throw a bit of modern in your home!

 

 

 

If you are working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.

The ultimate experience…It’s all in the bells and whistles!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The ultimate suburban experience is now on the market.  Put down those Frontgate catalogs and look up to what might be all yours.  If you are in the market for special property, offering the bells and whistles rarely seen here, call us!  We can make your dreams come true only 35 miles from Manhattan at 20 Wee Burn Lane (5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 3 half baths)  offered through Kelly Associates, asking $4,750,000.

20 Wee Burn Lane - this is something!

 

What this “ultimate experience” brings to the table is the unique space you will have for all your toys.  Lets get right to it… check out the garage!

 

Drive up to the Porte Cochere - garage door on right.

EVERY MAN’S DREAM

Once you have opened the door to the garage, you realize that you are ‘not in Kansas anymore’.  Immediately, the over sized three car garage, with 14′ ceilings, that holds 6 cars with lift system sets the stage for a special experience. The Eagle XTL car service/storage lift will allow for a full sized SUV to fit underneath; or your Porsche.  The garage doors are 10′ high x 9′ wide to accommodate a full boat trailer, storage shelves and rack system for bikes, kayaks and other fun stuff.  In addition, there is a utility sink to go with the full size tool bench, ZAP commercial door openers (no overhead motors) and last, but not least,  radiant heat in the concrete slab.

Bike and kayak racks.

Note the lift for the car.

Fantastic work station in garage.

The interior of the house is equal in divine scale, and offers detail and luxury for a buyer looking in this price point.

Front entry at 20 Wee Burn Lane.

Tricked out kitchen-fab.

To stay on topic, I will get  to the basement which is a continuation of what all sports enthusiasts would cry for.  Hockey lovers come one, come all (or any other sport, for that matter); the sports lockers, powder room with large stainless steel sink, the Dri-Tec waterproofing (20 yr guarantee) and the Polymer textured floor coating (epoxy) will not disappoint.

Special flooring in this all purpose lower level.

Your very own locker room.

 

 

If you are currently working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.

The Way Home

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Since most of Darien is out of town this week, I took advantage of my extra time and went down to Greenwich where the Historical Society hosted a fantastic luncheon and lecture featuring Jeffrey Bilhuber.  Jeffrey Bilhuber, the very celebrated decorator, is my rock star.  Some people like the Stones, I will stick with Jeffrey Bilhuber.  I can promise you, this “rock concert” did not disappoint.

Reflections on American Beauty.

He was there to talk about The Way Home, his latest book.  In a very theatrical presentation, Jeffrey Bilhuber talked about his experiences with clients, and how together they create homes that define who they are, and where they have come from.  Since I like to think that I am helping my customers find the house they will make their home, this afternoon was the perfect way to supplement the journey I have with my customers.

Abigail Moore with Jeffrey Bilhuber.

As it turns out, not only can he pull a room together with color and trim,  he can speak to a room full of people as if  he knows everyone personally.  He is an excellent speaker. He never uses the same word twice, never stalls on his thoughts, and is genuinely excited about his projects.   He had us all dreaming of our own decorating experiences and we all came away with a “new best friend”.  I am guessing he came away with a few new clients.

Highlights from The Way Home.

 

Answering questions at lunch.

Beautiful tables by Juliska and Bilhuber.

Bilhuber and the winner of the grand raffle prize - 3 hours of consultation with him!

Circa Who in West Palm Beach

Tuesday, April 10, 2012


I am on my way down to Palm Beach for Spring break and while I am down there, if anyone is looking, I can be found at Circa Who , my favorite store in West Palm Beach.  I check in on their new finds almost daily.  When I first discovered this jewel of a resale shop in the Northwood section of West Palm Beach, getting down there over winter break became a priority. Once, I was after a ceramic bamboo lamp.  The lamp I had spotted on line was sold the day before I got there, and would soon appear in the Garnet Hill catalog for the Lilly Pulitzer spread (pictured below).  At least it was Lilly that beat me to it!  No fear, there was a slimmer, taller pair that would look even better in my family room. Phew…

Garnet Hill catalog…..That’s my lamp!!!

You will find  unique, Palm Beach vintage ‘must haves’ reminiscent of a bygone era on the island.  I could not pass up sharing this new Pagoda Mirror that is on the site right now. I have a cream one just like this in my kitchen that I bought last year.   It  adds an unexpected kick in my traditional New England home.

Love the dog on top of the garden stool.                                                                              

I am truly obsessed with lighting… all lighting, and have promised my husband that I will not indulge any more…but maybe one more time.  This chandelier is one of their latest treasures, and I think it might be one for the collection.

You do not have to limit yourself to a chandelier.  They have more lamps than anyone could ever dream of. And the more lamps, the better.

Same green but in a table lamp.

These remind me of my Asian figurines that I transformed with the help of The Accessory Store in Stamford, CT.

Circa Who has the most impressive inventory of chairs.  While there are tons of imitations out there, these are the real deal and are worth shipping up  sight unseen (they will take care of that for you) and recovering if needed (but most of the vintage Palm Beach fabric may be worth keeping).

Garden stools are now sold in every catalog but they always have an original selection and no 2 are ever the same.  LOVE LOVE these elephants.

 

I have been looking for a table to put in my kitchen and have been craving a fretwork console.  Could this be the one?  I will find out when I am there next week on vacation.

 

Or a Chippendale Credenza?  Love the faux bamboo. Plus I could store more.

 

How fun is this elephant table! 

A similar one  in Ruthie Sommer’s pool pavilion.  She probably found it at Circa Who. 

 

These Dorothy Draper imposter’s are my new lust after seeing a pair at 262 Tokeneke Road (asking $1,099,000 through Halstead Property.  If you would like to see this home contact us).    They make a statement anywhere.  I may have to find a spot for these…..

                     

 

My mother still has her coffee table just like this from the 70’s. She still will not give it to me.

 

I just love what Tracy has done wit this resale shop and one can tell she loves what she does.  We look forward to seeing more of these Circa Who pieces in Darien, Connecticut!!!

 

 

 

 

If you are working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.

Custom tables from Mather Meadows Design

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

When Holly Hurd had her open house at 106 Stephen Mather Road (for sale through Kelly Associates) the first thing we noticed in her living room was the phenomenal glass coffee table.  A glass coffee table is one of those pieces that can be used beautifully in any living room.  As it turns out, one of Holly’s many talents, and businesses, includes designing and manufacturing these glass coffee tables through her  Mather Meadows Design. They can be made in all sizes and shapes (side tables, end tables, consoles – pieces are special order to client’s desired size). This table is gorgeous and makes a huge impact in a room filled with beautiful things.

It has a bottom shelf where you can place your books and put more decorative items on top. The glass is so thick and the joints are seamless.  On a side note – we rarely see this blue in a living room and it just hits the mark!

 

 

Holly was our very first blog post because everything she does we just love.  She has so many creative and design talents and these tables are just one of them.  If you are interested in designing your own table, contact Holly at Mather Meadows Design. You will not be disappointed.

hillhh@aol.com or 203-434-4201