On December 9, 2009, the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich hosted the 24th annual Holiday House Tour, a special tradition in our Antiquarius series of  antiques, art and design events held in support of education programs at Bush-Holley Historic Site.

“The House Tour has been a popular seasonal event for many years,” said Debra Mecky, Executive Director of the Historical Society. “We are indebted to the wonderful homeowners who graciously open their beautiful residences and to the dozens of volunteers who make both the House Tour and the Holiday Boutique possible.  

 Proceeds from the Holiday House Tour and Holiday Boutique are vital sources of funds for the Historical Society’s educational programs.

2009 Holiday House Tour
Owners Narratives and Source Guides

Tudor Reigns
 
When my husband and I decided to move back to Greenwich, I had a vision for my family home and knew that I had to be the general contractor. I knew architect Joseph Calabrese, would execute my vision exactly. Construction began in 2005 and the house was completed in 2007.

Our goal was to build a traditional English Tudor. This required top-of-the-line authentic material and construction by highly skilled craftsman. The effect is obvious the moment one passes through the forged iron gates. The high-pitched roofline with a 2”inch thick slate roof surrounds a 60-foot turret. The windows and doors are a testament to the 17th and 18th century. We replicated 96 diamond and rectangle leaded glass panel doors and windows that integrated our family crest the throughout the house.

The 4” thick 16th century, arched-shaped front door is from an abbey in Yorkshire, Northern England. To create an authentic feel, every room possesses one or more artifacts from a former era. To accomplish this we set upon a search that took us from a remote village in the Italian Alps to the ancient city of Prague.

While you will see beautiful antique rugs throughout the house, I also designed stone floor mosaics. We met with an 8th generation Italian mosaic artisan high in the Italian Alps who helped to make this vision a reality. His crew meticulously disassembled our mosaics and traveled to our project to set them in place. Other stone accents in the home ranging from limestone, granite and antique marble to glowing, backlit onyx.

Wood moldings and trim throughout the walls and ceilings fit the period and range from hammered oak trim to handcrafted Jacobean walls. Unique wood oak rafters grace the cathedral ceilings in each bedroom, and the house boasts beautiful walnut planked flooring throughout.

With the help of LHW Designs of Ridgefield, we created a vision of Versailles in the living room with a design of doors collected from a music room in a château in France. The 14k gold trim and moldings from the doors is carried throughout the room. Zuber mural panels are also framed in 14k gold molding along the living room walls. A beautiful antique chandelier graces the living room ceiling.

The library has high-coffered ceilings and a beautiful carpet from England woven on an antique loom. There is a hand carved 19th century Irish bar in the library that stood in a pub outside of Dublin. The library features a collection of fine art, bronze horse statues, a Remington and a collection of Franklin Mint leather bound books.

Throughout the home, fabric walls and interiors have been made with Christopher Highland fabrics. Finally, LHW Designs’ use of copper, gold, and rust tones throughout help make our grand home feel warm and welcoming.

CCD/LLC
Carolyn Crabtree, Managing Member
Builder: Joseph Calabrese
Custom windows by Hope Windows & Doors, Manhattan

Bespoke Colonial

We chose this house because it offered the mellow character of an older home – detailed moldings, plaster walls, old glass, and polished hardwood floors – as well as ample space to incorporate a modern aesthetic. The floor-through view from the front door to the pool and terrace in the rear allows the house to be filled with light throughout the day.

The architectural style is a classic center hall New England colonial, at once spacious and intimate. The exterior of the modern addition with wood roof blends seamlessly with the original late 19th century shingle home. There is a small courtyard between the garage and the main house, with access to the family room area.

The original house was built circa 1890. A total renovation was completed in 2000, including the addition of a media room/library off the living room and his and hers dressing rooms located off the master bedroom. The former third floor attic was converted into an office-atelier. Four of the six bathrooms were gutted and completely redesigned, and a contemporary wing was added to connect the garage space to the main house. This modern space, with its dramatic staircase to the second floor playroom and guest suite, holds an office area, laundry room and mudroom.

We had decided on the architectural plan for the new wing, as well as an extensive renovation of other existing areas and asked Sandra Morgan, a professional interior designer in Greenwich, to help fine tune our plans, provide interior design direction and oversee the complete renovation of four of the six existing bathrooms. She also assisted with conversion of the attic space into an office/atelier. Upon our return a year ago from a four-year sojourn in London, we asked for Sandra's advice again to integrate new purchases and the "London Look" into our existing design. The result is a comfortable, richly layered blend of both worlds.
 
We collect art with a passion and have found exciting paintings on both sides of the Atlantic to energize our space. It is a pleasure to view and creates an atmosphere that goes well beyond the world of decorating. Sandra's art background and appreciation of our growing collection has been an important element in achieving the modern spirit of our traditional home.

We also enjoy collecting antiques and unique vintage pieces. We are traditionalists who love to discover a serendipitous object that provokes a smile. The pair of slipper chairs in the master bedroom is a good example of an unexpected London find, recently re-upholstered with a tongue-in-cheek twist. One of our favorite styles is French Art Deco. The glamorous Macassar wood desk in the office/atelier is a classic example of Art Deco style and inspired the sleek international look of this space.
 
Our favorite room is the living room, used on an everyday basis. It is a comfortable mix of old and new and of all the rooms reflects the incorporation of the “London style” with the way we live now.

Artwork
Living Room
Over mantle - "Flooded River, Dawn Fog:  Clearing Glen", oil painting by Stephen Hannock
Over sofa – “Where We Live” - Landscape oil painting by Victoria Adams
 
Dining Room
Over buffet - Silver Landscape oil painting by Cynthia Knot
Large Wall - Blue/Green Landscape oil painting by Kathryn Lynch
 
Media Room
"Rum and Coke", oil painting of airplane by Julio Larraz
“Choctini”, lacquered Oil of woman by Lucy Bennett
"Untitled”, oil painting of dog by Joe Andoe
 
Interior Design by Sandra Morgan Interiors, Inc./SM Home
70 Arch Street, Greenwich, CT.  06830
(203) 629-8121
www.sandramorganinteriors.com
 
Christmas decorations by Elegant Effects, Norwalk, CT
Christmas Goodies Courtesy of Aux Delices

All decorative finishes, including stenciled diamond floor in Entry Hall by Lawrence Oliver
 
Carpets in living room, dining room, media room, main stairway and second floor hall - Stark Carpet
 
Tile and stone:
Powder room - Tortoiseshell glass tile - Waterworks
Master Bathroom - Mosaic Tile - Waterworks
Office/Atelier Bath - Herringbone tiles - Ann Sacks
Guest Bath (Modern Wing) - Waterworks
 
Source Guide:
LR - Curtain fabric- Manuel Canovas, Empire sofa/two arm chairs satin jacquard fabric, Etamine
 
Entry Hall- Small bouquet on mini-console shelf - Diane James, custom design through SM Home
 
DR - On buffet, pair of silver lamps with silk chiffon shades - SM Home, Chandelier, Hiden Galleries
 
Media Rm.- Suede wall covering by Blumenthal
 
Family Room - Custom banquettes by Sandra Morgan Interiors, Velvet cheetah fabric by Cowtan & Tout, Faux leather by Kravet, Area Rug by Odegaard, Sofa pillows by SM Home
 
Master Bedroom & Dressing Rooms - Pair of Slipper chairs – Fabric - Panne velvet by Etamine, organza fringe by Osborne & Little. Curtain poles, Fabricant. Fabric Panels, cotton faille by Kravet, Flat Braid trim by Samuel & Sons. Pair of neoclassical lamps, Hiden Galleries, Roman shades, embroidered linen dot fabric from Sanderson & Sons/Zoffany Ltd. And beaded ball fringe trim from Osborne & Little.
 
Daughter's bedroom - Walls, shirred silk check fabric from Kravet. Bed and dresser from Maine Cottage, Pair of crystal lamps from SM Home, pair of flower prints by Andy Warhol, from SM Home.
 
Guest Bedroom - Main House - Striped silk bolster and hand woven Nantucket throw from SM Home, Wall-covering, chartreuse shagreen from Osborne & Little, headboard and shade fabric from M. Canovas.
 
Guest Bedroom - Modern Wing - Mini-lightning rod table from SM Home
 



Cotswold Reinvented

This traditional colonial with shingle and stone accents was built in the 1940’s. I chose the house for its location (close to town, school and work) and for the unique charm of Milbrook. I also loved the size of the property – big enough for raising a family but small enough to be manageable for a single mother. Also, I have always admired the architectural style of a traditional colonial home.

When I bought the house in March of 2008, however, the inside layout did not make sense, and so I began a yearlong renovation project, keeping the original footprint but completely restructuring the inside. I designed the interior and Rudy Ridberg was the architect. My aim was to create a very open space that would accommodate a family of three children as well as many friends. I also wanted to open the back of the house to the wonderful backyard view. My aim was to bring the outside into the house and the inside to the out.

Another goal was to make the inside of the house contemporary, open and loft-like, but still maintain its warmth. I incorporated very old materials such as reclaimed oak floors from France and 18th and 19th century Belgian antique doors. I also added a third floor by using and modifying the attic. Clapboards were applied to the third floor interior walls to give one the feeling of being on a boat.

The back patio was redesigned entirely using a predominance of boxwood to create a Belgian garden. The driveway was also redesigned to continue this Belgium motif.

My favorite room is now the bar/Parisian café. This is an intimate room, and we all enjoy it for different reasons. My children do their homework there. I love to have morning coffee there with “the Times” and a croissant, or enjoy a glass of wine with friends in the evening. 

Sources:
Architect: Rudy Ridberg
Interior Design: Claire Maestrioni
Mis en Scene, Greenwich
Antique and Artisan Center, Stamford,
Toc Toc, Greenwich

Worldly Georgian

Our house was completed in 1980 with additions added in 2002 and 2005. The style is traditional using very dense, unique-quality brick. Certain details refer to a Georgian influence. We chose this house because the ceiling height and proportion of the rooms just felt right. Having just moved from the English countryside where we resided in an 18th Century Georgian home, my husband and I loved the fact that the builder used many 19th century architectural elements in the design.

I have been an interior designer for 30 years, so it was a joy to do the interiors for our family. Four years ago we completed the conservatory – perfect for items collected while we were in Southeast Asia. We also completely redesigned all of the landscaping and pool area. The development of the gardens took several years and is a daily source of pleasure.

Having lived in the English countryside for several years, many items throughout the house were acquired there and on various trips we made to Europe. We brought over three English antique late 18th and early 19th century carved marble mantles, which may be seen in the rear front hall, living room and the dining room.

In addition, when the late 19thc Graham house (formerly located next to the Belle Haven Club) was demolished, many of its elegant historic architectural elements were removed and incorporated into our home. These include the beautiful front and rear doors with leaded glass surrounds as well as all of the French doors from the rear of the house. In addition, the entire library was carefully removed and reinstalled in our home after four months of work to strip and rewax the wood to its original luster. 

Note the beautifully carved niches in the dining room. Architrave details as well as many of the ceiling moldings also came from the Graham House.

And finally, our favorite room is the conservatory. We make good use of it year round. It is a magical place when snow falls and just like being outside in the garden during the spring and summer.

Source Guide:

All holiday garlands and décor graciously donated and installed by Suzy Bonbrisco and Patricia Gourlay fine lingerie.

Faux painting by the late Robert Jackson (Dining Room)

Faux painting by Geoffrey Rockwell (718) 349-9183 (Conservatory)

Landscape beautifully maintained by Bill Spitzer, Horticultural Solutions, (914) 737-0881
 


Estate of the Art

My husband, architect Alex Kaali-Nagy, designed and custom-built this six bedroom, 7-1/2 bath Georgian colonial as our family residence in 2006. And it truly is our dream house!
 
Alex studied architecture in Europe under the masters of his craft. His field trips included some of the most magnificent architectural landmarks in Europe, and their incredible millwork, carvings and hand-crafted details are his inspiration for the houses he designs and builds.
 
Outside, meticulous stonework pays tribute to stately European manor houses and Connecticut’s iconic stonewalls. Soaring 10-foot ceilings create spacious, light-filled interiors and provide the perfect canvas for our collection of 19th Century European paintings and hand-painted mural of the Hudson River in the front foyer.
 
Old World craftsmanship abounds from quarter-sawn oak floors and pedimented doorways to detailed crown moldings and wainscoting. We have a great balance of formal and informal living spaces. The formal living room and dining room are complemented by a cozy breakfast nook and family room. Alex designed our gourmet kitchen with appliances that make it easy for anyone to become an accomplished chef.
 
We love to relax by a roaring fire. We have six fireplaces in our house, including two in our master bedroom suite. My favorite is in the mahogany-paneled library. There, our guests sink into the couches with a cocktail or a cup of tea and never want to leave. Another hidden treasure is a four-stop elevator that takes you from the pool house to the third floor billiards room.
 
When you’re able to work with a palette of this architectural stature, your work becomes a showcase for design. As an interior decorator, I was able to create rooms that speak to all-American comfort and a rich European heritage with a mix of antiques, fine art and family heirlooms as well as custom colors that are both welcoming and sophisticated.
With all the lifestyle delights we have right here, every day at home is a vacation.!
 
Architect and Builder: Alex Kaali-Nagy
Interior Design: Karen Kaali-Nagy
Lisa Krieger, LLC, Classic Garden and Floral Design, Westport, CT

Converted Barn with Star Quality

We fell in love with the warmth and charm of this unique residence, originally constructed as a barn in 1935. In 1936, construction was started on a garage-studio and car rack. The barn had no interior walls and just one small chimney to exhaust car fumes. The premises were later used as a motion picture studio and site for the filming of commercials. The previous owners purchased the property in 1978 and continued to use it as a studio until 1985 when they decided to convert it into their home.

Architect MacLeod Snaith, and Michael Griffin, who did the fine carpentry, transformed the motion picture studio into a remarkable and comfortable residence. The entire ceiling was raised in the main portion of the house to provide space for new windows whose design was inspired by the recollection of windows in a school building. Many of the fabrics and furnishings were selected by JK Design of Greenwich. In addition, family photographs and warm colors enhance the home’s charm and intimacy.

Of special note is the hand-painted mural by Wylene Commander in the entry meant to be evocative of a painting by Stubbs. The powder room is also hand painted by Commander. In the great room, there is a rose-colored banquette with a large table made from 250-year-old pine floorboards.

The children’s wing, formerly prop construction rooms, is now a suite for adult children containing two bedrooms, one bath and a large family room where this sports-oriented family frequently gathers to watch games.

The kitchen boasts varnished walnut counters with birch inlay as well its original rear door and includes a loft with children’s playthings. The wall between the dining area and kitchen is the original exterior stone wall.

A favorite spot is the cozy nook with large desk where we enjoy working, corespondence and a wonderful the view of the property.

Architect: MacLeod Snaith
Interior Design: Joan Kearney JK Designs in Greenwich
Finish Carpentry: Michael Griffen
Custom Murals: Wylene Commander
The Bee’s Knees Floral Designs by Emmy Ogden, Wendy Serrell, Bridget Bucknall