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Archive for December, 2014

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas

Monday, December 22, 2014
...hung by the chimney with care...

…hung by the chimney with care…

Christmas-decorations-1-House-9Dec14-Andrew-Montgomery_b_426x639-1

A wonderful time of the year.

 

Christmas Shopping

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Oh what fun it is… go to shopping at Christmas!  And, to see all the stores beautifully lit up for the holidays. We no longer need to head to the 7th floor (at Bergdorfs that is…) to find wonderful treasures for under the tree, or for our friends who are throwing fabulous holiday parties. We have some wonderful options within a just few miles of Darien.

Decorated with care hoping St. Nick will soon be here!

We dropped in at Juliska and found that it was decorated with care hoping St Nick will soon be here!

A lot if inspiration for decorating at home.

A lot if inspiration for decorating at home. Really gets you in the mood, especially when everything on the table is for sale!

Love this table setting.  Soon to be a classic for certain.

Love this table setting. Soon to be a classic for certain.

So many fabulous ornaments, a favorite hostess present or ours.

So many fabulous ornaments, a favorite hostess present of ours.

Definitely for someone on my list.  What a lovely way to present an hors d'oeuvre.

Definitely for someone on my list. What a lovely way to present an hors d’oeuvre.

Every presentation is gorgeous.

Every presentation is gorgeous.

There is a large assortment of small trays and serving pieces that make a holiday party really pretty.

There is a large assortment of small trays and serving pieces that make a holiday party really pretty.

There must be someone you know whose birthday is in December!

You must know someone with a December birthday!

But of course...

But of course…

It was hard to leave with out the bags breaking. Juliska is definately a “one stop shop” for christmas shopping.

Next stop:  The Stamford Antique & Artisan Center. And, just as one would expect, the pleasure was all ours.  WOW! It looks fabulous and there are many many objects and furnishings that will make fantastic and very special Christmas presents.

Huge impact in the new Garden room.  A pleasure palace for the eye.

Huge impact in the new Garden room. A pleasure palace for the eye.

A console (modern) with an unusual design that no one else will have.

A console (modern) with an unusual design that no one else will have. Gorgeous.

Would look great with a big red bow under the tree!

This container would look great with a big red bow under the tree! Santa? Are you listening?

Star light Star bright.  I think we have found THE MUST HAVE fixtures.

Star light Star bright. I think we have found THE MUST HAVE lantern.

Inside the book store you will find treasures for all book lovers.

Inside the book store you will find treasures for all book lovers.

How fabulous!

How fabulous!

Old School... remember seeing these in the Scully & Scully catalogs?  A table full of goodies.

Old School… remember the miniature staircase from Scully & Scully? And, a table full of goodies.

For all the textile lovers.

For all the textile lovers. Piles of beautiful old and new textiles. Dream pillows or table cloths or anything else that will add some texture and interest in your home.  Or someone else’s !

See how lovely!

See how lovely!

A compliment to any book shelf. And a fabulous present for someone.

A compliment to any book shelf. And a fabulous present for someone.

Rooms filled with amazing things that will make wonderful Christmas presents.

Rooms filled with amazing things that will make everyone smile on Christmas day.

A great idea for the library or the guest room.

A great idea for the library or the guest room. What a gorgeous package this makes.

 

Oh what fun it is…only 10 days left!

 

 

Christmas Book List for 2014

Sunday, December 7, 2014

The book lists are out for Christmas and it is so fun to see what editors, reviewers and critics are recommending as “good reads” for under the tree. Naturally, we have our suggestions as well.  So, if you are considering a move, a renovation or starting from the ground up with a new build next year, here are some books that we think will inspire you to get started on your projects in the coming year!

Peter Pennoyer

An historicist at heart, Peter Pennoyer takes classic architecture to the right heights.

Gil-Schafer-Great-American-House

One of our favorites. A must have in any library for those interested in Architecture and design.

Another point of view on traditional architecture.  Ferguson & Shamamian are the team responsible for the recent listing on Shagbark that we LOVED.

Another point of view on the traditional vernacular. Ferguson & Shamamian is the team responsible for the renovation at 15 Shagbark. One of our favorite listings of 2014.

Still loving this old classic. If you dont own it already, you should.  I suppose the best affair you will ever have is with your house!

Timeless design. If you don’t own it already, you should. I suppose the best affair you will ever have is with your house!

This will make you whistle a merry merry!

Tom Scheerer will make you whistle a merry merry!

For the one who likes clean lines and

For the one who likes clean lines, Victoria Hagan has an exceptional eye.

Wildly Chic. A Must Have.

Wildly Chic. Miles’ book is A Must Have.

For all you TB fans, this book will blind you with her style and color schemes!

For all you TB fans, this book will blind you with her style and color schemes!

Let your hair down and do what you like!  Susannah's book is a glorious collection of rooms and ideas that will inspire you to do just that!

Let your hair down and do what you like! Susanna’s book is a glorious collection of rooms and ideas that will inspire you to do just that!

Whimsey and style at its best.  A wonderful book to get see how to jump into bold interior design.  LOVE!

Whimsey and style at its best. LOVE Katie Ridder!

Splendid new book by Markham Roberts.

Splendid new book by Markham Roberts.

A beautiful book that you will get lost in.  Sold addition for anyone who loves to garden.

Jane Garmey has put together a beautiful book that will transport you to some of Connecticut’s most lovely Eden’s. For anyone who loves to garden, this is a solid addition to your library.

A good gardening library starts with the basics.  I think this qualifies...

A good gardening library starts with the basics. I think Vita qualifies…

Why not do the complete series.

Why not do the complete series.

A stunning garden book that really does deserve the coffee table spot.  It will give you incredible ideas for your own garden.

A stunning garden book that really does deserve the coffee table spot. It will give you incredible ideas for your own garden.

Jack Staub also has this wonderful collection of books to read for your kitchen garden.

Jack Staub also has this wonderful collection to read for your kitchen garden. In addition to Exciting Vegetables, there is Remarkable Fruits and Exceptional Herbs. These are beautifully done books and make fabulous Hostess presents.

 

All these books can be bought or ordered at Barrett Books. They have other very good suggestions at their Noroton Heights location.  Call to order, or drop in and enjoy the experience of a great book store.

 

Cream of The Crop – SOLD/CLOSED

Monday, December 1, 2014
Crane Road.  Built with thought and craftsmanship.

14 Crane Road was built in 2007.

There are 26 properties priced at or above $3,500,000 in Darien today. Almost a third of the total number of houses on the market. We generally tell people it takes longer to sell houses in the upper echelons of the market, but lately “longer” is a very undetermined amount time which understandably frustrates sellers.  Rising to the top of these “echelons” is 14 Crane which came on the market about one month ago with an asking price of $4,325,000. Defying the sales statistics, it has gone to contract, underlining the indisputable fact that the cream always rises to the top. Offered by Kelly Associates through Rita Marber.

Have you read the Great American House by Gil Shafer?

Have you read The Great American House by Gil Schafer III  yet?  It should be mandatory reading for everyone interested in the American traditional and classic architectural vernacular.

The architect Laurent T. Dupont, a New Canaan based architect, worked closely with the owner to plan a house that will stand the test of time for generations. While he still has an office, and takes on choice projects, I am told Mr. DuPont no longer takes on new projects.

Details...very important.

Details…

love this kitchen.  Comes close to one of my all time favorite houses by

The Kitchen. At the top of our list for one of the best we have seen on the market. Beautiful cabinetry, stone and wood counters and finishes.

A beautiful combination of metal, stone and wood. Nice patina!

A rich combination of metal, stone and wood. Nice patina!

19581_701_18

Elegant and Casual pulled together to make gracious and grand entertaining space.

China cabinets, drawers for silver, serving platters and anything else you use for entertaining.

China cabinets, drawers for silver, serving platters and anything else you use for entertaining.

A light filled space that accommodates as many as you want.

A light filled space that accommodates as many guests as you want.

Beautiful dining room close to the "hub" of the house... the kitchen.

A dining room that feels right is a dining room that will be used. Yes, they do exist!

It's in the details...

It’s in the details…the paint job in this house is fantastic.

The bathrooms are clean and simple with finishes that stand out as the touches that make all the difference.

The bathrooms are clean and simple with finishes from Perrin and Rowe. These are the touches that make all the difference. The Master bath features their Mayfair line.

The exterior details will catch the eye of any buyer who is really looking for something good.

The exterior details will catch the eye of any buyer who is really looking for something good.

An impressive door and knocker.

As impressive as it should be. The exterior hardware by Nobilus,

 

If you are in the market for something that is a strong example of “tradition for the way we live now”**, call us.  We would love to show you what is on the market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

** from the title of “The Great American House – Tradition for the way we live now” by Gil Schafer III. Published by Rizzoli 2012

 

 

 

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