Every year as the days get shorter and the temperature drops, I cushion the grim effects of winter by refreshing my winter garden. I can sit with an engrossing novel in this sunny yet snug room, see the snow on the patio outside, and be surrounded by the colors, shapes and smells of some of nature’s most delightful creations: plants and flowers. This year I’ve added Amaryllis, large red flowers full of Christmas spirit, and Paperwhites, which emit an intoxicating smell.
Archive for December, 2009
Time to Plant the Winter Garden
A Tour de Force in Stone, Copper and Wood
The focal point in the kitchen of this almost finished home on Lake George is the stone, copper and wood construction that encloses the Wolf range. The stonework by local craftsmen is impeccable, highlighting the antique wood beam placed over the copper hammered hood. The large fixtures of the custom chandelier are made to look like beeswax candles. The stone counters are dolomya nocce, and the backsplash features custom hand painted ceramic tile, with hammered copper sinks to match the hood. The cabinets are finished in a rich medium tone with dark overglaze. The combination of materials, finishes and colors creates a warmth and refinement that is a feast for the senses, and that’s before the cooking begins.
A Cozy Mansion
Near the end of his life, Cornelius Vanderbilt was said to own 15 cents of every dollar in circulation in the US. Perhaps it’s not surprising that his grandchildren’s main concern was spending this never to be seen again, pre-income tax fortune. One of the more low key mansions they built is in Hyde Park, New York, right next to FDR’s family home, which we visited during our holiday break. Intended for intimate gatherings (the dining room table in their New York townhouse sat several hundred) and used for a few weeks in the spring and fall, the Hyde Park property was owned by the Vanderbilt’s for less than 40 years. As the Depression deepened in the late 30s, the family was forced to sell, only to find no one with the cash to buy it. They finally acceded to FDR’s request and donated it to the government, preserving this most impressive monument to the Gilded Age.
A House that’s also a Home
It may be right next-door to the Vanderbilt Mansion, but Springwood, FDR’s family home, couldn’t be more dissimilar. Unlike the nouveau riche Vanderbilt’s, the Roosevelt’s were old money, and their home was comfortable, unpretentious and full of character. While the Vanderbilt’s had their robber baron guests, the Roosevelt’s opened their home to the likes of the King and Queen of England and Winston Churchill. Perhaps the most impressive part of the home is the centrally located dumbwaiter shaft. Inside you’ll see a chair on wheels and several thick ropes, which FDR used to hoist himself up and down the three floors of the home. It’s almost impossible to imagine the determination and courage of this man who was elected President so many times the politicians made sure it could never happen again.
Saving The Planet One Fireplace at a Time
I’m working on a project in Long Valley that will use gas logs instead of wood burning fireplaces. It’s essential to see these in person as the texture and color varies greatly. There are accessories that add to the verisimilitude, like glowing embers, crackling wood sounds and even wood that looks charred. In addition to the convenience, gas logs don’t deplete the forests and produce fewer pollutants than burning wood, so this is one fire that helps keep the planet green.
A Restaurant with a Twist
During our holiday stay in the Hudson Valley our Bed and Breakfast host insisted that we stay in Hyde Park for dinner at a restaurant called Twist. We’re glad we did. From the outside the totally unassuming storefront was eminently forgettable. The dinner, in casual American style, was superb. Staffed largely by graduates of the nearby Culinary Institute of America, the food was fresh and innovative, the service charming and the open kitchen fun to watch. Next time you’re heading north, stop for dinner at Twist in Hyde Park. You won’t be disappointed.
Another Nursery for Twins
I did a Nursery for Twins in a show house several years ago, and I’ve just finished another for a client in Short Hills. The foundation is the wallpaper border of cute little animals, which circles the room against the blue walls, above a chair rail and raised panel base. The paper pattern is repeated on the shirred shaped valance with a contrasting color plaid. The adorable twins are a boy and a girl, so the room is neither too masculine nor too feminine. A carefree spirit pervades this happy space, combined with a graceful simplicity
Why January is for Diets
My Christmas dinner party this year was a largish affair for me, with close to 30 guests. As usual, I put in significant overtime on the desserts. In the photo the perennial Apple Tart is in the center. Upper right is the Sivabelle chocolate cake, an exceedingly moist concoction. Beneath are chocolate truffles, some rolled in cocoa and some in hazelnut. Lower left are the Orangettes, slivers of orange peel covered in chocolate. There is much to do to tenderize and flavor the peel, but the taste is very delicate. Upper left is a tray of three kinds of cookies—oatmeal chocolate, chocolate Saltines and French macaroons. Now that the holiday season is over, I don’t think I’m the only one who has rededicated to clean, fat free living for the foreseeable future. It’s either that or a new wardrobe, God forbid.
Helping Plant SEEDS
SEEDS—Scholars, Educators, Excellence, Dedication, Success—is a non-profit group founded in 1992 that helps financially limited kids reach their potential by gaining admission to top schools. A friend spoke to me about the group and mentioned that they needed some pro-bono design work in their offices in Newark. Of course I’m helping them, essentially integrating their space, providing paint colors and wallpaper and rearranging much of their existing furniture and furnishings. I’m pleased to do what I can to aid such a worthy organization
A Place to Taste
On the lower level of this Lake George home is a wine cellar and tasting area that provides an inviting atmosphere for sampling a fine Merlot or Cote de Rhone. The stone is local, the craftsmanship superb, and the floor is detailed slate with many different shapes and borders. The backsplash is finished with pieces of metal tile and the sconces repeat the pinecone and branches theme seen in the rest of the house. The bar tables and stools finish off the space, adding to the informal but stylish look.
