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Archive for February, 2015

Happy Valentines Day

Saturday, February 14, 2015

To all our neighbors and friends, Happy Valentines Day.

Couldn't resist this gorgeous front door!

LOVE this fabulous red door, particularly on Valentines Day!

There is still time to get beautiful arrangements for the one you love.  Neilson's is doing a fabulous job. Check out their shop here in town.

There is still time to get beautiful arrangements for the one you love. Neilson’s is doing a fabulous job. Check out their shop here in town.

Exciting things are happening and you should know what is really going on

Monday, February 9, 2015

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There has been a lot of chatter this past week around the PARTNERSHIP between Houlihan Lawrence and Kelly Associates. It’s not surprising that Chris Fountain pipped in on all the excitement as well. So much speculation about the details of this merger might have you thinking…..well, keep thinking, and watching the leadership we bring to the real estate business.

Like Kelly Associates, Houlihan Lawrence is a family run business. Siblings Nancy Seaman, Chris Meyers and Stephen Meyers are the engine behind this top Westchester firm. After watching what HL has accomplished in Greenwich in the last year, the two families, after years of a close friendship, decided to join forces. The top Westchester firm, on its way to being the number one firm in Greenwich, aligning with the top Darien firm…it makes all the sense in the world. This is a merger, not a “buy-out”. Jeff Kelly continues to be at the helm, and our infrastructure will strengthen, something that is hard to grow as a small independent. Kelly will gain the marketing platform and global reach that Houlihan Lawrence can provide. After the dust settles, you will find that we are still the firm that remains focused on the local market, understanding life in the northern suburbs of New York City better than anyone, while keeping our hands on the pulse of what is nothing less than a global real estate market.

Kelly Associates has been a wonderful place to work, and the two of us wouldn’t be anywhere else. When we started this blog, which was “ground breaking” out here in the provinces of Darien, the Kelly family not only supported it, they embraced it. FINALLY, agents were thinking “outside of the box”. When a firm in town (hmmmmm, which one could that be) sent us a ‘cease and desist’ letter (some would say you have not made it until you have been delivered your first) Kelly supported and encouraged us further. In this business you cannot grow and succeed without taking risks. You have to innovate and change with the times.  What is happening here is exactly that, so why wouldn’t we embrace it! This is about real professionals leading the way in real estate and staying on top.

This is going to be a great year.  Our business continues to grow and Real in Darien is reaching new heights.  We are proud to continue working with the Kelly family and be a part of our new “mothership” Houlihan Lawrence.03f2f703-7288-465c-8d9c-699d1a7fbdde

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are currently working with another broker, this is not a solicitation.

A Reminder: Paradise Found

Sunday, February 8, 2015

38 Wee Burn Lane is fabulous.  If we could all be so lucky… (a girl can dream!)  It’s not often that we at Real in Darien are rendered speechless. But, in fact, these pictures say it all. This is a fanatastic example of the scale and proportion we are always looking for.  Built in 1935, and renovated over the years to create a home for generations to love, the house is situated on just a little more than four and a half acres. It has six bedrooms, six and a half baths in about 6800 square feet of living space.  Asking $5,795,000.  Offered by Doug Milne at Houlihan Lawrence. Listing has expired.

38 Wee Burn Lane. Bucolic and private. Now that Shagbark is under contract, I don't have to feel guilty about moving to my next favorite house!

38 Wee Burn Lane. Bucolic and private. Now that Shagbark is under contract, I don’t have to feel guilty about moving on to my next favorite house!

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Built of stone, slate and clap board, surrounded by flat lush lawns.

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Gorgeous pool and pool house. I will say that I am not sure the jacuzzi should be directly in front of the pool house. That is a cocktail party accident waiting to happen!

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Grand without being pretentious. Architectural detail is everywhere. And, wisteria is dripping everywhere! LOVE it.

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Hard to find something better than this in Darien (on the market).

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I would live out here!

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Understanding the floor plan is key when looking at any house, but the house is so fabulous it really doesn’t matter what the floor plan is!

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Second floor lay out.

My favorite room in the house. China and closet and all the storage you need for your entertaining!

My favorite room in the house. China and crystal closet and all the storage you need for your entertaining!

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Some day!

 

My mind is running wild with ideas about who should take this decorating project on.  Tom Scheerer, Bunny Williams, or even one of my new favorites, Ashley Whittaker.

 

If you would like to see Wee Burn Lane, give us a call.  We would love to show you just how fabulous it really is.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

“Buy the best, and you will only cry once” – Miles Redd

Sunday, February 1, 2015

As we sit in the aftermath of what was not the”Blizzard of the Century”, but in the freezing cold, there is every indication that the Spring market is upon us. Buyers are out and about. It’s “house hunting season” again and nothing speaks louder to me than that quote from Miles Redd!  When you are out looking at properties remember that getting what you really want can happen.  Whether you are buying something that is move-in ready, or you are looking for a project, everyone’s “best house” is out there. You just need to take that leap!

Safe to say I would get a good cry in over this!

Safe to say I would get a good cry in over this and live there happily ever after.

11 Huckleberry Lane, offered by Kate Balanoff through Houlihan Lawrence, is a classic and gracious colonial with six bedrooms, five full and two half baths generously spread out inside 7200 square feet.  Newly built in 2003, it has settled into its own and holds up its end of the bargain as a “classic”.  Bring your kleenex; who knows, maybe you will get a good weep in!  Asking $3,395,000.

This is the house that gives everyone in the family space.

The entry at 11 Huckleberry makes a formidable impression. Big Chic looms here…

My kind of foyer.  Everyone needs to own a really good hall lantern at some point in their lives.

Everyone needs to own a really good hall lantern at some point in their lives. And here would be your opportunity.  I would suggest looking at what Robert Kime has right now.  I think Miles would agree.

Or just start here, looking at what the design world is talking about.

Or just start here, looking at what the design world is talking about.

And how he would work that stair case!

And how he would work the upstairs hallway! Another good example of Miles’ talent.  Coincidentally, this house is on the market through Houlihan Lawrence! This house would be a fabulous weekend retreat.

The dining room that has enough wall space to wrap some fabulous wall paper around it.  To say nothing of the dining room table and chairs you will be looking for.  Dinner for 18.

The dining room at 11 Huckleberry has enough wall space to wrap some fabulous “high impact” wall paper around it. To say nothing of the dining room table and chairs you will be shopping for. Dinner for 18.

This is the BIG FAMILY KITCHEN you are leaving the City for!

This is the BIG KITCHEN you are leaving the City for! Fabulous, done and that is one gorgeous wood countertop on the island.

And, make no mistake, this family room off the kitchen is where everyone will wind up at the end of the day.  Very comfortable.

Make no mistake, this den at the other end of the kitchen is where everyone will wind up at the end of the day. Very comfortable. Check out some of Robert Kime’s Ikat for this room as well.

One of the chicest "teen" hang outs we have seen. It is nice for the kids to have a their party room too!

One of the chicest “teen” hang outs we have seen. It is nice for the kids to have a their party room too!

Working at home would be a pleasure in this room!

I would say working at home would be quite comfortable here!

11 Huckleberry is able carry the large scale fabulousness that is always burning in the back of our minds.

11 Huckleberry is perfect for large scale pieces; art, or furniture, as well as fabrics and window treatments that make bold statements. This house really presents an opportunity for a fabulous design statement. Have I made my point here?

Miles is the Man for the Job at 11 Huckleberry!

Miles is the man for the job at 11 Huckleberry. It would be Big Bold and Beautiful!

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If you are looking for a good, big cry, call us.  We would love to help find the best house for you.  They say February 1 is the official start of the Spring market, but around here, it is always a good time to look and move into your new house!

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another option in your search might be