Butler's Pantry View to Dining Room Tis' the season for big meals with plenty of friends and family.  Wouldn't it be nice if we all had a butler's pantry to store all the dishes and serving platters, silverware, and glasses. In my house they are scattered from the kitchen to the dining room in cabinets and various hutches and servers.  When our clients ask that we include a butler’s pantry in their home, we jump on it since it [...]
http://www.youtube.com/embed/78wJlDaxrx8 Once again we had the best show ever!  Everyone had a great time with more vendors and visitors enjoying a picture perfect fall day.  This years show showcased everything from Zoe's Ice Cream Barn to a restored 1959 Cadillac Coupe Deville (by CPR).  Free samples included wine from Clinton Vineyards, cheese from Adams, espresso from Decker and BeeBe and Zoe's ice cream. Zoe's Ice Cream Barn Restored Cadillac Don't forget Aspire Magazine who joined us(and who [...]
In a completely unscientific review of past and current projects, I find that five types of additions are requested more than all the others combined. The reason may be that homeowners value these five additions the most or it could be that most homes lack or only have poor examples of these spaces. While I never try to predict real estate trends or future markets, it stands to reason that a home, which includes fine examples one or more of [...]
Built-in Coffee Center When I wake up in the morning, I need my coffee. Â One of my morning rituals is to start the coffee brewing, check my e-mail, and then try to make sure all the kids are on schedule to catch the buses. Â When my wife walks into the kitchen, after getting our youngest child up and ready for school, I pour her coffee and fix it the way she likes it. Â After that, I am ready [...]
Eat-In Kitchen with Fireplace Recently I visited Washington DC with my family and in addition to the monument tour, we visited the National Museum of American History where Julia Child's kitchen from her Massachusetts home is on display. Mrs. Child donated her kitchen in 2001 and it is exactly as she left it with a big table right in the middle of the room. You can see photos on the ‘Hooked on Houses’ blog. With Julia in mind, [...]
Many people I know are weary of the work required to maintain a large home and the headaches associated with coordinating that task. Although the idea of living in a very compact home isn’t for everyone, there are certainly days around my house that make me fantasize about living in a home, which due to its size, limits the amount of work required to keep it in good shape. Luckily we are often asked to design exactly that [...]
We had a beautiful day, 54 vendors(a record) and over 600 visitors-what more can you ask for? Well, we had a late entry of Telescopes of Vermont who showed everyone the amazing Porter Garden Telescope. Â People were reading the fine print on a dollar bill almost a block away. Â It brought back my amature astronomer's glee. There were vendors like Chris' Coffee showing their amazing Italian espresso makers and handing out free samples to Hudson Company displaying their [...]
A new kitchen can be one of the most dramatic changes to a home and a homeowner’s lifestyle. When my wife and I renovated our kitchen, we went from wincing every time we cooked a meal to really loving to spend time there. The new kitchen is the heart of our home. It is where our family eats breakfast, does homework, gathers with friends and of course cooks. The layout of a kitchen is critical to [...]
I have always loved sitting in a bright alcove eating breakfast and reading the paper. Â These days the object in front of me is often an ipad or other electronics, but the wonderful feeling of a breakfast nook is always the same. Â Of course bays which have windows on three sides are going to be the brightest. Â Depending on the orientation of the house, the sunlight streaming in can be dramatic. If there are some interesting views, that [...]
I will be the first to admit, everyone doesn't need a bowling alley.  But if you would like to see the latest in home bowling, come on out to Fine Home Source on September 28th and take a look.  This year we have some of the most broad ranging and professional vendors ever.  You can speak to the experts from Orvis Sandanona about learning how to fly fish or shoot sporting clays then talk to the folks at Dutchess Overhead [...]
