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When a home is done, done, done!
November 26, 2013
Here at Real in Darien we tend to say “just bring your toothbrush” when talking about a home that is done,done,done. Well I saw these yesterday at the Antique & Artisan Center and realized we should step it up and say “just bring your hangers”.
What a night!
November 24, 2013For years my neighbor and dear friend (you know her as Consignment Girl) has been wanting to throw a party in her greenhouse. So Real in Darien decided to have a little meeting and invite the guys (as well as our bestie and local lust, Annie Mahoney, and her husband David)….and what a night it was. Check out how we like to roll and enjoy each others’ company.
Mary Yvonne’s greenhouse. The perfect place to get together under the stars.
We had a delicious dinner and plenty of amazing wine.
Love the centerpiece that Nielsens made for us.
Who knew the headhouse could look so chic.
The evening was so BEAUTIFUL and now the greenhouse can be rented out for private functions. Contact us for more information.
Here are some shots during the day.
So much to be thankful for….good friends and good times.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Love our new Real in Darien trays!
November 20, 2013
A GHD Design creation for Real in Darien. She designed our pineapple, business cards, notepads, note cards and this fab tray. Thank you Gretchen!
25 & 27 Brush Island – It’s been a long time coming.
November 12, 201325 & 27 Brush Island are two wonderful properties listed for $7,350,000, and we are pleased to say that we had the buyers for both. The final deal has just closed and we are very excited for both of them.
Two parcels. One gorgeous spot.
Aerial shot of both properties.
The “Big House”.
The house at 27 Brush Island – spectacular views!
A compound overlooking Holly Pond and Long Island Sound.
We would love to help you find your very own Brush Island – give us a call.
As always, this is not a solicitation if you are working with an agent.
Pick of the Week – A stunning makeover
November 11, 2013
These could not be more stunning.
I think we have mentioned the fabric room at the Antique & Artisan Center, but if you haven’t seen it, you must go down there. It’s located in the back of the antique center and is set up for anyone to come and enjoy the experience of making your home beautiful. It’s a little like a child being introduced to Dylan’s. Once you have gone there, why go anywhere else. There is not a fabric room like this around here. I even heard someone say at a recent event that “Mari Ann has stuff no one has”! These chairs are a good example. You know the fabric is fabulous, but you can’t think where you have seen it. The good news is you haven’t. It is a line of fabric that the Antique Center does. The selections you will find is at the crossroads of stunning and perfection.
They will help you with everything, from picking out the fabric and trim (going to Samuel & Sons is like visiting a candy store for us but save yourself the trip….its all here!) to refinishing or repairing a piece. So whether you buy a piece from the Antique Center, or bring in something you already own, come on over and take a look.
Mari Ann Maher, of John Rosselli fame, offers interior design services as well. You are certain to leave with a masterpiece!
Remember these? We sat on these for a long time. Very comfortable.
We liked these chairs with this muslim fabric but look at the difference a new fabric can make….
Beautiful trims and pipings, borders and fringe.
Large swatches to completely understand the pattern and its scale.
Color, texture and variety!
Bold prints and patterns, yet subtle and entirely neutral in any room.
Enough said. I can’t imagine anywhere else that would be more fun to take on a project.
What’s with the radio silence?
November 8, 2013One simple answer. We like to blog about properties we love, and there really haven’t been any lately. And, more to the point, there is NO INVENTORY! Infact, today, as I sit here writing this there is only one open house.
But, I did come across a fabulous listing on Gardiner Street. A lot of style, a lot of interesting architecture. A really good location for train access and shopping. If you are looking in the $1,000,000 range, or slightly above, this is an absolute must see! 88 Gardiner Street. Asking $1,150,000 offered by Lindsay Sheehy through the Greenwich office of Houlihan Lawrence. (accepted offer/no longer showing)
A wonderful 1921 Colonial with that fabulous front porch. It’s located between Relihan and Laforge so trick or treating will be “awesome”.
Beautiful open space. There is a stone fireplace on the end of the room not shown.
Modern and chic. Always love that in the Den or Great Room.
Keeping it cool in the Master. It is such a good look.
What little cuteness would not want this!
Full disclosure. Definitely my favorite space. Who wouldn’t want this gorgeous studio!
Fabulous out door space. This is very cool.
This property won’t last long. Even in this quiet period in the market. If you would like to see it, we would love to show you!
If you are currently working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.
Whimsical Wow!
October 29, 2013I love these three offerings for the whimsical and pop factor they provide! Please note that all dimensions are upon request. E-mail mymfaulkner@optonline.net for assistance.
Designer window treatments for 3 windows consisting of 6 panels and white rods. Price: $300
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
SOLD: Wicker set, upholstered in orange terry cloth, consisting of sofa, two chairs, and coffee table. Price: $1,000:
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Set of 4 Karim Rashid butterfly chairs in pink and gray. Price: $300
NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Pick of the week – a wide variety of treasures
October 25, 2013I ran into a friend (and fellow RE agent here in town) on the open house trail last week. She turned to me and said “have you guys become decorators?” I said “oh no! does it look that way? I couldn’t decorate my way out of a brown box!” The thing is, it’s hard to walk into a house and not start to brainstorm about what one might/could do with it. Or, if I wanted to sell it to someone what I might say about the decorating possibilities. I LOVE to imagine how different decorators might do things in all the houses we walk into. So, when we see all this fabulous treasures at the Antique Center, we feel it is our obligation to report back to our readers about all the gorgeous pieces, and fabric, found at the Antique Center. The fabric room is truly one that stands far apart from any other retail source in Fairfield County, but more on that next time.
Enjoy this weeks “picks”!
A STUNNING pair of custom twin headboards. The paisley/trim color/nail heads make this a must have.
We absolutely LOVE-LOVE-LOVE these planters. If you have a wide porch with room for hanging plants, these are a”must have”. We rarely see one’s so fabulous. (Gorgeous option for fabric samples as well!)
Call the Antique Center – or better yet, go down there – for more details. There are three or four of them in the fabric room. Call the Antique Center for more details.
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Look what we saw! A beauty by Lynne Byrne
Have a great, fall weekend!
What happened to the fall market?
October 21, 2013
8 Circle Road, on the market through Kelly Associates. Asking $2,949,000.
If any of you have been wondering why we have not been blogging as much about what is on the market, the answer is there has not been a lot to talk about. It has been a very sleepy fall market. Where are all our sellers? We are starved for inventory (146 in September vs 192 last year). Some are waiting for the spring market and some are staying put until our economic climate gains some stability. We know there are buyers out there…..waiting…..waiting……waiting!
The high end is on life support (34 just in the $2-3mm range and many of those have been on for quite a while). But, you are hard pressed to find anything on in the lower range of $800,000 – $1M, like 15 Hillside Avenue and 73 Coachlamp Lane; they sell in a matter of hours or days. We had a customer who wanted to see 15 Hillside but went away for the weekend and was long gone by Monday.
One thing to note, no matter the price range, when something fabulous comes on, it may not even last the day or end of week as was the case with 17 Maywood and 9 Cross Road.
If you are thinking of LISTING your home, the time would be NOW. If you decide to ask a brokers advice, LISTEN to their recommendations. The market has a lot of “shades of gray”; PRICE being the most sensitive, then, of course, LOCATION.
We don’t usually get statistical, but we thought you might like to know what is actually going on in the market.
As of September, 2013
Single Family Properties
| September, 2013 | September, 2012 | % Chg | |
| Property Sales | 18 | 16 | 12.5% |
| Median Sale Price | $1,517,500 | $1,097,500 | 38.3% |
| Sales to List Price Ratio | 92.6% | 94.2% | -1.7% |
| Homes for Sale | 146 | 192 | -24.0% |
| Months of Inventory | 6.1 | 8.7 | -29.0% |
| Days on Market | 95 | 99 | -4.0% |
| New Listings | 30 | 41 | -26.8% |
| Listings Under Contract | 12 | 16 | -25.0% |
Property Sales
Sales fell to 18 in September. This is down from 37 in August, but up from 16 in September of 2012. Sales/list ratio in September moved down to 92.6% from 96.3% in August. Pending sales moved way down to 12 from 28 in August, which is a negative indicator for future closings in the near term.
Prices
Median sale price of $1,517,500 in September was up 15.8% from $1,310,000 in August and up 38.3% from $1,097,500 in September of 2012. 3-month median sale price of $1,317,500 in September was down a little from $1,350,000 in August but up slightly from $1,232,500 in September of 2012.
Days on Market
Market time of 95 in September was way down from 158 in August and down just slightly from 99 in September of 2012.
Homes For Sale
There were 146 homes for sale in September. This is down 0.7% from 147 in August and down 24.0% from 192 in September of 2012.
Homes for Sale by Price Range
Homes for sale are distributed by price range according to the chart.
Months of Inventory
Months of inventory of 6.1 in September was down marginally from 6.2 in August and down moderately from 8.7 in September of 2012.
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Data courtesy of: DARMLS
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Listing and sales information comes from various sources and may not always be accurate. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy of this information. You should verify any information that is important to your buying decision.
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A CHARMED EVENING WITH MARIO BUATTA & ELISSA CULLMAN
October 16, 2013
What a fantastic party Thursday night at the Antique & Artisan Center celebrating Mario Buatta and Ellie Cullman. The gallery looked absolutely fabulous and it was all we could do not to walk out with a treasure. (Thankfully the books weighed too much to carry anything else!) Mario, and his hilarious sense of humor, once again charmed and dazzled as he signed his only “tomb” highlighting his 50 years in the biz. Asking him how he looked back on the project? “A lot of very hard work”. I can only imagine!
The guests of honor! Living legends who both bring unparalleled excellence to the world of design. (You have to love that Pagoda!)
These books weighed a ton but are an encyclopedia of their work.
Always charming and funny -even when you bump into him at the Brunschwig showroom. Careful which hand you shake!
You know you have made it when you have your own Absolut ad.
Looking through his book reminds us how fabulous the career of the “Prince of Chintz” has been. He really did pioneer fabulous yet comfortable living in the grandest way. It is impossible to deny the place in the history of decorating he has earned.
A Palm Beach loggia…..perfect spot for a martini.
A Southampton center hall colonial. Look at those hand painted walls.
The Master Bedroom of Morristown Manor House.
Ellie and her partner Tracey Pruzan are as elegant as they come. Their interiors reflect their uber style.
Palm Beach Punch.
Barrett Bookstore has them in stock. Get yours today!
Apropos of Columbus Day
October 14, 2013What little one would not want to drift asleep and dream of voyages and discovering new worlds in this Sweet William bumper and bedskirt set. “By The Sea” has adorable and beautifully stitched blue sailboats with a white cotton background and pique ties/backing. Anchors away today!
Price: $200
E-mail mymfaulkner@optonline.net for assistance.
Ridge Acres Beauty
October 12, 2013
This could be your very own “Yellow Brick Road”, leading you to your new home. Follow, follow, follow….
It’s so hard to gracefully combine an old house and new space for modern living, however we found one that works; where life carries on graciously and the dogs can roam freely! 56 Ridge Acres, asking $3,515,000, offered through Kelly Associates, successfully passes the test! We have liked this house since it came on – sometime ago. This new price (the house originally started at $3,750,000 with a different broker) is certain to lead someone to this fabulous expanded Connecticut Colonial. It really has everything. Space, both indoors and out, a pool, nice open kitchen, bedrooms (6), and privacy!
Curb appeal already established! Lovely lines running the length of the house.
Flat, private and a fabulous pool for entertaining.
Cozy and comfortable.
Even though no one seems to use a dining room anymore, it is SO NICE to have one. Sitting down for a big gathering, or any holiday meal, will be fabulous in this room. ( I am thinking about Ellie Culllman’s new book, The Detailed Interior as I write this).
An example of Ellie Cullman‘s work. Elegant and sophisticated. Wonderful if you are looking to have a more formal dining room.
Another example of Elliie’s work that would translate beautifully at 56 Ridge Acres. It’s all in the detail!
Pantry and lots of storage space in a open kitchen.
Love the way this comfortable and light space is incorporated in the kitchen.
The Addition begins with a modern take on an informal 2nd entry way – aka, the mudroom.
Moving right into the Great Room where more casual living is incorporated seamlessly.
Always good to take a look at the floor plan.
And then there are all the bedrooms!
This is a great house. It really feels like a home, and will make the next 15 or 20 years something special for you! If you would like to see it, we would love to show it to you.
If you are working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.
Photo’s courtesy of Cullman & Kravis
The Classic Drop-leaf
October 11, 2013Sometimes, you just need a great staple to finish off a room. This drop-leaf table is the perfect example: classic. Not only is it the traditional size and exhibits lovely markings, but the side drawer component is fantastic for storing so many sundries from candles and matches to light bulbs and batteries. I also like the casters allowing for easy mobility from space to space. The dimensions are 27.5″ high and 33″ long. It’s 20″ wide with the leaves down and 37.25″ with the leaves extended. This is surely a “must have” for anyone in the market for such an item. I personally have two, which were inherited, and I have found them to be invaluable.
Price: $400
E-mail mymfaulkner@optonline.net for assistance.
40 Bridle Trail – Back on with a new price! (SOLD)
October 11, 2013For the first time in a little more than 20 years. this house is on the market. Sitting on about two acres, almost knowing how fabulous it is, 40 Bridle Trail is looking for a new owner who will love it as much as the current owners do (or at least is seems they have loved it)! From the front door to the garage doors, it’s one of those true Connecticut colonials that we both immediately responded to. A little quirky, a lot of space and, yes I will use the word again – patina. Five bedrooms, four and a half baths, beautiful hardwood and slate floors, and lots of something that’s hard to find…a great vibe! Asking $2,595,000. Offered through Alice May Orr at Kelly Associates.
40 Bridle Trail offers privacy, property and a gardening opportunity not for the faint of heart!
CZ Guest walking through her cutting garden. Rose beds, peony and so many other flowers would be right at home at 40 Bridle Trail. I can totally see something like this rose garden up there in northern Darien.
Big, and beautiful. So many windows over looking the garden and property.
Garden paths and hedges are perfect for 40 Bridle Trail. Love this example of what one can do.
Just over two acres, boarders, stone walls…it really feels like the country. Not the suburbs.
Maybe somewhere at the bottom of the lawn? Elise Landscapes & Nursery would great for this project.
A not so traditional center hall. Love this!
Over sized living room with high ceilings. I am thinking about all that new Mary Mcdonald fabric and trim in this room. This is a really elegant room. Just Gorge!
The library was added more recently.
Old fashioned screened in porch. Put a big beautiful lantern in this room, add some trellises and some Janus et Cie ratan furniture (check out the Arbor Collection)… et voila!
I love the garage doors. Think of all the Wisteria dripping from above. A trellis would be easy to add! Some nice outdoor lights from Urban Electric Co. (Check out Fenwick Carriage Pocket or Belmont collection). And, there is a bedroom and full bath above where guests, or an au pair would be very comfortable!
It’s a great house. If you are looking in this price range, do not over look this beauty! If you would like to see the property, call us. We would love to show you one of our favorites!
If you are currently working with an agent, this is not a solicitation.
ELLIE CULLMAN & MARIO BUATTA BOOK SIGNING – TONIGHT
October 10, 2013Don’t miss THE event of the fall. Rumor has it one of our favorite (and chicest) designers will be there tonight.
Can you guess who it is?
