Haute Property: Bella Home Builders

fashion || food & drink || book nook || haute property

A Pair of Pageturners

BOOKMARK THESE TWO NEW READS BY CAPITAL REGION AUTHORS. BY ABBY TEGNELIA

WE SHALL NOT SHATTER

By Elaine Stock

Elaine Stock’s tug-at-your-heartstrings historical novel We Shall Not Shatter follows the story of friends Zofia and Aanya on the eve of World War II. Inspired by her Polish family’s true wartime stories. Stock’s protagonists defy Nazism—both its condemnation of Judaism and of the disabled (Aanya is deaf). Stock, a longtime resident of Rensselaer County, spent years researching the war and building her family tree (which includes a deaf great aunt who perished in the Holocaust) as a basis for her inspiring book, which hits shelves this May. Her heartfelt connection to her ancestors shines through, landing Stock on the Historical Fiction Company's “Highly Recommended” list.

What’s With Those Adirondack Mountain Names?

By Robert C. Lawrence

Robert C. Lawrence was kayaking with his wife, Carol Ann, in the shadow of Blue Mountain when he found himself wondering where all of his beloved Adirondack mountains got their names. The avid history buff put his history degree to good use and began researching. The result? What’s With Those Adirondack Mountain Names?, self-published here in the Capital Region by the Troy Book Makers. A must-read for all local hikers, this fun resource covers everything from name origins to the definition of a Dippikill.

saratoga living & CAPITAL REGION LIVING

invite you to join us for

Cocktails & Clairvoyance

withTracy Fluty Psychic Medium

TRACY FLUTY has been Nationally Certified & professional Psychic Medium for over 25 years!

Back by Popular Demand!

Thursday, May 19 L Gideon Putnam Hotel 6-7pm Cocktails with hors d’oeuvres, first drink on us! 7-9pm Clairvoyant Conversation

In fairness to all participants, Tracy will randomly draw names for readings throughout the night. Everyone will be able to watch the magic unfold as messages from their spirit guides and loved ones who’ve crossed over are relayed to their friends and family.

Tickets $75/person SEATING IS LIMITED TO 100 PEOPLE—WILL SELL OUT FAST!

TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Scan to sign up for an emailed reminder

home stretch:

fashion || food & drink || book nook || haute property

Brant Lake Beauty

AS THE WEATHER BEGINS TO HEAT UP, ONE FAMILY WARMS UP ITS BRAND-NEW BOATER’S PARADISE, FEATURING HEART-STOPPING LAKE VIEWS AND ALL THE TOP AMENITIES FOR A DREAM WEEKEND AT THE LAKE.

BY RAY ROGERS n photography by RANDALL PERRY

this custom-built stunner on Brant Lake was built with one thing in mind: the water. “The magic is the water, so everything you do, you have to think about the water and your view,” says Dave DePaulo of Bella Home Builders, who designed and built the home for Denise and Jack Rifenburg of Brunswick-based Rifenburg Construction. So with H2O top of mind, DePaulo strategically put all of the closets and pantries on the non-lakeside of the house, so there’s nothing but seemingly endless glass on the side overlooking the picturesque Adirondack lake. “The family room, kitchen and all bedrooms and bathrooms have beautiful views,” DePaulo says. The living area, dining room and screened-in porch all spill out onto the lakeside.

The 5,603-square-foot weekend getaway was built for entertaining and relaxation, featuring a finished 1,902-square-foot lower level that boasts a fabulous bar and TV room. “They put in changing stations and designed the lower level so people may come in and out of the lake wet,” DePaula says. The porch also has a floating tile floor with a rubberized deck.

DePaulo worked hand in hand with the Rifenburgs to design their dream

home. “We started with a blank piece of paper,” he says. “We removed a raised ranch that was there, and this breathtaking house was drawn and designed every inch of the way with Jack and Denise. The home’s layout is perfect as it has exceptional flow. The design, scale and uses of material blend nicely with the surroundings.”

The five-bedroom, four-and-a-halfbath home features a custom timber frame from the front entrance to the interior, and mahogany flooring throughout. The railings inside are all custom, and there’s an open staircase. “Denise did all the design and chose the color of the stones,” says DePaulo, noting that real granite was used all the way around the house, and inside along the fireplace.

Another feature DePaulo is proud of is the use of radiant heat, designed and installed by Anthony “Moose” Lashway, throughout the house. “It’s highly technical,” he says. “For a camp like that to have all of that high-tech stuff is very cool.”

These top-of-the-line amenities paired with the enviable views make this Brant Lake’s newest, and ultimate, boater’s paradise. Jack is “big into boats; that’s his passion,” says DePaulo. “So the lake house empties out onto their private beach with a private dock and the best views of the lake, so they can fully enjoy the sunsets and sunrises.”

lake life livin’ (clockwise from

left) The stunning front of this weekend getaway, custom built by Bella Home Builders; this kitchen was made for entertaining—the homeowners broke it in with a party to thank everyone who helped build the house; the front foyer; stunning Brant Lake views from the dining room; the living room features stonework by Roger Houck, who sourced all materials from New York State.

The Hideaway

It may be called “The Hideaway,” but it’s no secret that Saratoga Lake Golf Club’s onsite restaurant is one of the best places to enjoy drinks or dinner all year long. Whether you’re looking to cozy up to the bar for a light snack and a cocktail, sit by the big stone fireplace for an intimate dinner, or enjoy brunch with a view, The Hideaway has you covered. The staff can’t wait for golf (and outdoor dining!) season, and invite the public to help celebrate the restaurant’s third anniversary on Masters weekend, April 9–10. Open 11am-9pm MondayFriday; 9am-9pm Saturday and Sunday.

35 GRACE MOORE RD, SARATOGA SPRINGS hideawaysaratoga.com 518.306.1900

Henry Street Taproom

Good food, lots of beer and an atmosphere that’s the perfect mix of relaxed, cozy and chic? That’s what you can expect at Henry Street Taproom, which has been serving local craft beers and ciders, classic cocktails, and locally sourced, made-from-scratch food (think: charcuterie, fried chicken sandwiches, fish and chips, and chicken liver pâté) since 2012. After dinner, tune in to Back on the Table, a podcast on beer, movies, music, food and local businesses, hosted by Henry Street owner Ryan McFadden. Open 4-10pm TuesdayFriday; 2-10pm Saturday; 2-9pm Sunday.

86 HENRY ST, SARATOGA SPRINGS henrystreettaproom.com 518.886.8938

Osteria Danny

Run by Executive Chef Danny Petrosino and his wife, Patti, Osteria Danny specializes in Italian-American cuisine with an emphasis on simplicity and creative development. As such, the menu is updated frequently to encompass new culinary concepts and locally sourced ingredients whenever they are available. Although the menu is continuously evolving with the creative will of Chef Danny, the original recipes remain a pivotal influence on the dishes that Osteria Danny produces. Open 5-9pm Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 5-10pm Friday and Saturday.

26 HENRY ST, SARATOGA SPRINGS osteriadanny.com 518.423.7022

Lake Ridge

Tucked away in the village of Round Lake, just off Exit 11 of the Northway, Lake Ridge is only 15 minutes from Saratoga Springs and 25 minutes from Albany. Enjoy a full seafood, steak or pasta dinner in one of the award-winning restaurant’s three dining rooms, savor a snack from its expanded small plates menu, or skip food altogether and stop in for a martini or specialty cocktail at the breathtaking mahogany bar, which stocks an abundant supply of more than 30 scotches and 20 bourbons. Open 4-8:45pm Tuesday-Saturday.

35 BURLINGTON AVE, ROUND LAKE, lake-ridge.com 518.899.6000