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California dreaming on Five Mile River
Friday, May 18, 2012I read recently in athome magazine (Moffley Media) that Design within Reach had moved their headquarters from California to Stamford, CT! And, they have opened up a new beautiful store as well. I was so excited to hear that Design within Reach had come to our corner of Connecticut. Love it! So chic. Everyone needs a little sleek, modern and simple style infused into their life here in Darien. To that end, it suddenly occurred to me that “Contemporary Cottage”(18 Five Mile River), as it is called by Kelly Associates, is the perfect candidate for someone who wants to create that ‘California Livin’ on Five Mile River. The person who ends up buying this house is really going to have a fun and exciting project. Asking $1,375,000 listed by Sheree Frank at Kelly Associates. If you would like to see this property, please call us.
The great room at Five Mile River
Imagine what these windows at Five Mile River could do?
Five Mile River Great Room
Love this Californian home-natural wood and loads of white paint
Cool lighting can “light up your space”
DWR super cool furniture will make all the difference
Don’t forget about the outdoor space
DWR can help you with just about everything-including the outdoor space
We challenge you to try to think outside of the “colonial box” with this home. Five Mile River will pay dividends with its location and is hard to go wrong with such a sought after address. Perhaps you can turn the garage into a mudroom and add a California type portico for your cars OR do what most people do and just leave your cards outside. Whatever you do, let us know! And let us know if you want to see it.
-Kim and Abigail
If you are working with an agent, this is not a solicitaiton.
Heaven on Hollow Tree
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I have always been intrigued by what lies beyond the pillars
We knew it was coming, and we were lucky to preview this 1920’s house at 593 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, down at the end of a lovely country driveway. Asking $2,800,000 through Kelly Associates, be the first in!
What an entrance
Down the long, perfectly maintained pebble driveway.
What a statement this gracious home makes. We couldn't wait to get inside.
We have talked about front doors before and this will be no exception. This is a door! Heavy, wide, and laden with much love – check out the door knocker.
Really good door knocker!
Imagine the shock when we walked in and saw THE WALLPAPER. It is THE WALLPAPER that inspired us to use the pineapple as our own signature at Real in Darien. Something about this particular pineapple is quite perfect. And It is just the appetizer for the rest of the house.
One side of the living room
It is all in the details… the wide staircase, the beautifully proportioned second floor landing, the old hardwood floors, the french windows in the living room, the shutters, the terrace that wraps around the sunroom and bucolic garden out back. The sun light that pours into the living room, even the linen closet at the top of the stairs is “old school”: doors and draws inside the closet. No, you cant keep her fabulous furniture, but you can create your own paradise here as Hannah has over the years. This is a very special house and will make the next owners very happy.
Love the bird cages-they are superb in this sunroom.
That orange is ideal in this dining room.
Interesting den feature
Family room should be in a magazine
Breakfast area
Even if your daughter doesn't ride, what an amazing spot in this bedroom
The landing is more impressive in person
Nothing like the real thing
Ivy, ivy everywhere
Sublime pond with a fountain
The patio is sited well off the sunroom-ideal for entertaining
Another spot for relaxing outdoors
We hated to say goodbye
Don’t miss this opportunity to live in a home with such timeless elegance. Call us for a showing of this once in a lifetime spot.
If you are working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.
The world is getting smaller
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
I picked up my new issue of House Beautiful and while I don’t usually pay attention to Restoration Hardware ads, I was struck by it this time. It said
“The world is getting smaller (and so are we)”.
Small doesn’t have to mean plain and boring
It goes on to say how they are listening to their clients by making smaller furniture for smaller homes. If you live in a small home your style should not be diminished and they have begun to recognize that.
Turn your attic space into the office you have always dreamed of
I live in a small home and have always dreamed about all of the closets, and rooms, I thought would make my home and life perfect. But with age comes the wisdom to realize that closets won’t make you happy. So while I still wish for a little more space, I now realize that my small home does bring me happiness. First off, it is so easy to manage. It takes me seconds to get from the kitchen to the living room to the family room so I have less travel time to pick up all the things my kids seem to drop for me. My oil, cleaning and landscaping bills are not killing us which eases stress (we have enough of that in our lives). But most importantly, I buy less “stuff” – more quality and less quantity.
Don’t be afraid to use vibrant wallpaper in a small space
After all those years of wishing for more, I am so happy with less.
Use fresh color in a small space
When I first moved here a friend referred to my house as a “cottage” and I almost passed out. Now I giggle as I reflect back on it and realize that cottage has become the place I most want to be.
Many of our favorite homes in this blog are smaller because they typically ooze the charm and character we seek when looking at homes with our clients.
If you are working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.
43 Huckleberry Lane and a stop for eggs at Crafty Farm Girl
Tuesday, April 24, 2012On 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, 2012The 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.
1 Ridge Acres Road
Sunday, March 11, 2012I absolutely love 1 Ridge Acres Road. This house oozes with charm and potential! Great patina inside and out. It is not for the “everyman” here in Darien as you will not find that proverbial family room off the kitchen. But, honestly, do you really want to look at all those plastic toys and a big TV when you are in a gracious house like this! The pool off the screened in porch is beautiful; who needs a country club when you have a place like this. It needs a face lift, but go back for another look if you have taken a pass. Just imagine what Jeffrey Bilhuber could do to this four bedroom house www.bilhuber.com. For sale through Kelly Associates. If you are working with a agent, this is not a solicitation. THIS PROPERTY IS NO LONGER ON THE MARKET.
View from the screened in porch