House of the Week: Contemporary Take on One-Level Living
$999,000
Annual property taxes: $14,751
144 Salem Rd, Pound Ridge
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One-level living never looked or worked so well as in this 1956 Pound Ridge contemporary, set on more than three acres and surrounded by ponds and woodlands. “It’s a fun house with soaring ceilings, skylights, beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows, screened-in porch, decks, and a design that really brings the outdoors in,” says listing agent Mady Wengrover. Add to that a gourmet wood-lined eat-in-kitchen; wood-beamed ceilings; large, spacious rooms, including a massive master bedroom suite; an oversize screened-in-porch that doubles as an outdoor living room; plus a separate 1,100 square-foot converted barn that can be further converted into guest or office space, and what’s not to like! Possibly only the distance to the train for commuters. For more information, contact Vincent & Whittemore Real Estate listing agent Mady Wengrover at (914) 261-5663 or visit www.vinwhit.com.
State-of-the Art Green Living
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Photo by Suzanne Levine for Christina Griffin Architect |
Not only is the home of Keller Williams NY Realty eco-broker Gerry Angel becoming a popular destination for area architects and designers, but it’s quickly becoming recognized as a model of green living in White Plains and a showcase for transforming an older home into a state-of-the-art sustainable wonder. At least that’s the view of Mayor Tom Roach, who briefly addressed the more than 40 interior designers, architects, and other industry pros attending the June 13 information session and site tour. The third in a continuing series of information sessions and open houses provided another opportunity to see the renovation progress in real time. “We’re pleased to have this type of construction in our city,” says Roach, emphasizing the city’s commitment to create an environmentally friendly community, including green housing that’s also affordable, such as the energy-efficient Minerva Place Condominiums, and current initiatives, including vehicle charging stations at the White Plains train station, newly installed bike lanes, making Zipcars available as an alternative to car ownership and rentals, and a substantial increase in the number of people walking. “We hope committing to environmental issues will draw more people to the city,” Roach adds. The information session featured presentations on “Controlling LEDs to Meet Customer Expectations,” led by Jeff Cohen of Yusen Associates, and Richard Heller, founder and CEO of Greener by Design, who provided an introduction to rainwater harvesting and sustainable landscaping in “Rainwater 101”. Stay tuned for more on the ambitious whole-home renovation of Angel’s 1953 raised ranch (a project managed by Murphy Brothers Contracting) that is expected to be completed in mid-July.
Separately, architects interested in learning more about lightning protection systems might want to consider a special information session hosted by Murphy Brothers Contracting and led by Tom Grayson, engineer and estimator for Associated Lightning Rod, on Wednesday, June 20. Participants have a choice of one of two sessions—9:30 am or noon—held at the company’s Mamaroneck office (416 Waverly Ave). Space is limited, but a few seats are still open. For more information or to reserve a seat, call (914) 777-5777 or e-mail michael@murphybrothers.com.
Gorgeous Gardens on Display
Westchester’s next gorgeous gardens on display (at $5 per garden) under the Garden Conservancy Open Days Program are set for Bedford, Bronxville, and Tarrytown on Sunday, June 24, from 10 am to 4 pm. Below are locations and highlights.
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Photo courtesy of the Garden Conservancy Brae Willows |
Brae Willows (49 Long Ridge Rd, Bedford): Brae Willows, a one-acre, 45-year-old garden, was completely designed, planted, and still maintained by the owner. Only the large hedges are professionally pruned. Two sides of the property (naturally divided by a small seasonal creek) are cleverly connected through a careful placement of trees and bridges, while the extensive use of conifers creates a sense of seclusion, surprise, serenity, and year-round beauty. Other features: arbors, five natural stone garden paths, a secluded patio, bird baths, cement and decorative iron planters, and strategically placed benches and bridges.
The Murray Garden (Bronxville): Nestled into the hillside of a historic Bronxville neighborhood, this woodland garden features a series of stone terraces wrapped around a recently restored Arts and Crafts-style house, trumpet-covered vine arbors, and a woodland palette of Astilbes, Hostaa, brunneras, autumn fern, and rhododendrons. Designed by Richard Hartlage, landscape architecture principal of AHBL, the garden appears far more mature than its mere two years. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes for safely accessing the steep site.
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Photo by David Davenport |
Westover on Hudson (149 Neperan Rd, Tarrytown): Westover on Hudson (an inspiration for filling a small yard with year-round beauty) proves that suburbs don’t have to be all about lawns. It’s set on a steep slope with gravel dining, a lounging terrace, and not a lawn in sight! Instead, the garden designer and owner, Robert Welsch of Westover Landscape Design, created a series of stone paths; planted with waves of color and texture using rare rhododendrons and Aralias, Cryptomerias, mature oak leaf, and limelight hydrangea; and populated a hillside with hundreds of caryopteris, Agastaches, red hot pokers, and Salvias. Built-in landing pads, oversized window boxes and container plantings, and a bubbling fountain spilling over a Balinese jar complete the organic effect.
For more information, call (845) 265-5384 or visit www.opendaysprogram.com.
Beyond the Garden Gate Tour
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Photo courtesy of Westchester Land Trust |
Westchester Land Trust presents Beyond the Garden Gate, a tour six of Waccabuc’s and North Salem’s most spectacular gardens and relax with a picnic lunch at Long Pond Preserve, on Sunday June 24. Tickets, tour map, and lunch (for an extra $10) are available starting at 10 am at Long Pond Preserve (Mead St and Chapel Rd, Waccabuc) where parking and restrooms also will be available. Westchester Land Trust is a countywide organization focused on protecting land in partnership with private property owners. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.westchesterlandtrust.org/lewisboro or e-mail grace@westchesterlandtrust.org.
Rye Playland’s Craft Fair/Flea Market
Rides aren’t the only attraction at Rye Playland. Interested in switching up your home décor without investing a bundle? Add Rye Playland’s Craft Fair/Flea Market to your list of possible resources. The next opportunities to browse through a grand selection of crafts and home accessories are Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24, from noon to 8 pm, in the iconic amusement park. The fair, featured on the boardwalk and in the fountain area, continues on select dates through September. Admission is free. For more information, call (914) 813-7010 or visit www.ryeplayland.org or www.eastcoastvendorevents.com.
Photo courtesy of Rye Playland
We welcome information about fascinating homes on the market or real estate/home-related news and events—send to Karen Odom at kodom@westchestermagazine.com.
