Design for a Cause
The Designer Showhouse of Westchester benefiting Cerebral Palsy of Westchester is open now through June 12. More than 20 interior designers and decorative artists have transformed an imposing estate in Bedford Corners into a decorating masterpiece: dramatic living spaces, luxurious bedrooms and baths, exquisite artwork, and an envy-inducing kitchen, surrounded by gardens, a pool, and sculptures. Tours are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 am to 4 pm; Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm; and Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm. It is located at 205 West Patent Road in Bedford Corners. For more information, contact Stephanie Russo at (914) 937-3800, ext. 411, or Kristen Harris at (914) 937-3800, ext. 353, or email stephanie.russo@cpwestthester.org or kristen.harris@cpwestchester.org.
Good Buys
Especially in the current real estate market, there are some good deals out there. Here’s a sampling of homes from modest to luxurious that have since seen substantial price reductions since they came on the market.
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Chappaqua Cape First Listed At: $549,222 Now Reduced To: $489,222 Address: 140 Millwood Road Vital Statistics: 3 bedrooms, 2 baths Current Listing Agent: Mark Seiden, (914) 762-2200 |
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Armonk Split |
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Scarsdale Colonial First Listed At: $1,699,000 Now Reduced To: $1,579,000 Address: 17 Foxhall Place Vital Statistics: 5 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths Current Listing Agent: Claire Civetta, (914) 584-3476 |
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Bedford Corners Colonial First Listed At: $3,295,000 Now Reduced To: $2,395,000 Address: 59 Chestnut Ridge Rd Vital Statistics: 5 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half baths Current Listing Agent: Muffin Dowdle, (914) 234-9234 |
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Briarcliff Manor Tudor |
Q&A with Stephen Tilly
In addition to designing homes, architect Stephen Tilly of Dobbs Ferry also specializes in historic preservation and landscape design.
Q: What do people want to build these days?
A: It’s hard to generalize about style, but there is a simple, contemporary style developing that is nevertheless sympathetic to traditional contexts, often with shingles outside and pitched roofs. Inside, there’s interest in quiet [Asian, for example], zen-like spaces with natural materials; matte and nubby finishes; and warm, earthy colors.
Q: What are people requesting for their interiors?
A: People want comfortable kitchens and informal TV rooms, but more and more, they want great home offices that can double as guest rooms every so often.
Q: What are homeowners not doing that they used to?
A. They are not going for extravagant and showy finishes, extra-large rooms, or formality.
Q: What are the biggest mistakes folks make when it comes to the construction and design of their homes?
A: They skimp on important things without looking at the long-term payback for their investment. They don’t think about how they will furnish the home. And they let the electrician do the lighting.
Q: When it comes to home construction and designing, what is a waste of money?
A: Replacing vintage windows, heating driveways and sidewalks, blowing away leaves to be carted to a landfill and then importing mulch from Canada, installing deer-edible plantings [which is almost anything] without deer protection.
Q: To what extent are clients willing to foot the bill to go green?
A: Green is built into our practice, so it’s a given. Clients look closely at the economics and potential payback for special green options like geothermal heating and cooling and solar thermal or electrical systems. There is a lot more buy-in than there was ten years ago.
