House of the Week
Ultimate Private Haven
$6.95 million
Annual property taxes: $142,664
One Cedar Island, Larchmont
If your idea of a dream home includes living on your own private island, look no further—this 1925 restored and renovated waterfront Tudor at One Cedar Island in Larchmont is paradise found. Offering the ultimate in privacy, it’s one of only four homes on a private island surrounded by Larchmont Harbor. It’s perfectly positioned to be secluded, but not isolated; Old World, but also luxurious. The 19-room sanctuary is deceptively (and conveniently) close to shops, restaurants, the Metro-North, and Westchester’s major roadways, and is connected to civilization (the mainland) by a small bridge. Originally designed by Westchester architect and artist Walter Pleuthner, the property was reimagined and significantly expanded by New Canaan-based Wadia Associates (known for seamlessly combining a home’s classic past with an updated present). While carefully preserving and restoring its original architectural details—such as the leaded glass windows, handcrafted fireplace mantels, antique stained glass, carved paneling and plasterwork—the 1999 renovation incorporated modern amenities, like smart-home systems, new bathrooms, and an expansive gourmet kitchen appointed with custom cabinets, marble countertops, hand-painted Spanish tiling, a Lacanche range, and other top-of-the-line appliances.
The three-level haven includes six bedrooms (each with an en suite bath), seven fireplaces, a Crestron sound system, Lutron lighting, a temperature-controlled high-capacity wine cellar, a video security system, and the envy of any homeowner who has endured a multi-day power outage—a whole-house generator. Rounding out the 1.26-acre property: a grand covered terrace with soaring ceiling, free-form waterside pool, cabana with full bath, colorful English gardens, and lush landscaping by North Hill Garden. If you can envision connecting with civilization from your own private dock and mooring only when you choose—dream complete. As listing agent Candy Steiner puts it, “This property is the perfect setting for the ultimate waterfront living experience.” For more information, contact Houlihan Lawrence listing agents Steiner at (914) 262-8678 or Liz Sauer at (914) 262-7331 or visit www.houlihanlawrence.com.
Lunch and Learn About Daylighting Your Home with Solatubes
Sign up for Green Design Expo’s lunch and have all your Solatube questions answered by experts on Tuesday, September 20, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm at the shop dedicated to sustainable products—640 Central Avenue in Scarsdale. Solatubes offer an environmentally friendly alternative to skylights for bringing natural light into your home. “I think it’s the wave of the future,” says Green Design Expo’s owner and founder, Eva Finkelstein, of the Solatube technology. “Solar panels aren’t necessary to operate the tubes, and there’s no need for electricity for daylighting. We have five installed in the store.” In addition to becoming more knowledgeable over lunch and drinks, attendees also can benefit from a 15-percent discount on any Solatube purchase at the store. For more information or to register for the lunch and learn, call (914) 902-5305 or go to www.greendesignexpo.net/event/all-you-need-know-about-solatubes.
September Garden and Flower Shows
We may be on the other side of Labor Day, but there’s still time to squeeze in garden and flower shows:
Tour Stonecrop Gardens
Take advantage of the next guided tour of the enclosed English-style flower garden at Stonecrop Gardens, 81 Stonecrop Lane in Cold Spring, New York, from 6 to 7 pm on Thursday, September 15. Tickets are free for members and $10 for non-members. You also won’t want to miss the last opportunity for the Garden Conservancy Open Days on Sunday, September 18 from 10 am to 5 pm. Sign in at the Potting Shed to access Stonecrop’s diverse range of display gardens and plants. Treat yourself to tea in the garden from noon to 4 pm or purchase tea and cake to go. For more information, go to www.stonecrop.org.
Dazzling Dahlias Annual Show
Be dazzled by the Fourth Annual Dazzling Dahlias Show hosted by the Greenwich Dahlia Society of the Garden Education Center of Greenwich at 130 Bible Street in Cos Cob, Connecticut. And, if you grow dahlias, here’s your chance to shine. Early registration for participants in the annual competition begins between 3 and 5 pm on Friday, September 23, with final entries accepted from 7 to 11 am on Saturday, September 24, followed by formal judging from 11 am to 1 pm, also on Saturday, and finally, show time from 1 to 4 pm, plus 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday, September 25. Six trophies will be awarded, including a new Greenwich Dahlia Society Blue Ribbon Sweepstakes Trophy for the exhibitor who wins the most blue ribbons. For admirers of the dahlia’s many forms and varieties, the beautiful blooms go on sale at 3 pm. For more information, call (203) 869-9242 or go to www.gecgreenwich.org.
Using Native Plans for Sustainable Landscapes
If you’re interested in learning how to use a broad palette of native plants for sustainable landscapes, consider participating in the Autumn Landscape Conference hosted by the Native Plant Center (NPC) at Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Road in Valhalla on Friday, September 23. The conference, focused on “Native Culture: Developing Plant Diversity for Sustainable Design,” from 8:30 am to 1 pm in the Gateway Center, is targeted to home gardeners, as well as landscape architects, and landscape designers. Featured presenters Rick Lewandowski of Mt. Cuba Center in Delaware, Kevin Staso from North Creek Nurseries in Pennsylvania, and Jody Payne and Travis Beck of The New York Botanical Garden, will show what’s new, what’s tried and true, and what’s on the horizon, while offering insight into how native plants are selected, developed, and marketed for the landscape and design industry. Participating professionals also qualify for continuing-education credits. Fee to be determined. For more information, call (914) 606-7870 or go to www.nativeplantcenter.org