A Home for the Holidays

Think of a woodland glen nestled in the trees with a babbling brook running through it. Then picture exotic creatures roaming through this idyllic setting. Lastly, picture a stone and natural wood residence with numerous terraces and porches to overlook the pastoral beauty of the 10-acre setting. Put them all together and you have this idyllic home that exudes even more charm during the holidays.

The original house was built in 1988, and since that time, it has undergone three separate renovations, the latest being the most expansive. The most recent rehab added stonework in the front, a breakfast room wing, antique oak flooring, and a large bluestone terrace with an outdoor kitchen. The wife had the idea of adding a stone waterfall to a stream that already ran across the front of the property. It is now a major landscaping feature of the home and provides a favorite place for the two youngest children to play.

This year was the first of what the couple hopes will become an annual event, a Halloween party, and a pig roast. Friends and family gathered for games, decorations, drinks, and, of course, the aforementioned pig. The whole house was decorated with a fall and Halloween theme that reflected the season.

Christmas is another holiday that is very important to the couple. On Christmas Eve the whole family gathers for dinner. The entire house is decorated, and after dinner, the wonder of all wonders, Santa Claus, takes time out from his most important night of the year to put in an appearance, a thrill for everyone in attendance. The tree in the large bay of the great room is 14 feet tall and decorated in a very traditional style to match the house. The lush reds on the tree and the greenery draped on the stairway accentuate the rich warm colors used in the decoration of the room. A large oriental rug covers part of the oak flooring.

The tree in the large bay of the great room is 14 feet tall and decorated in a very traditional style to match the house. The lush reds on the tree and the greenery draped on the stairway accentuate the rich warm colors used in the decoration of the room.

Longwood Antique Woods provided the floors throughout the house. The antique oak came from one of the historic horse barns at Hamburg Place Farm, home to six Kentucky Derby winners. The wood was taken from the barn stalls and was re-milled and finished. One of the most striking features of this stunning home, the floors beautifully set off the oriental and needlework rugs used throughout the house.

In the foyer is a hand-blocked and printed wall mural from Stark, titled “Montchanin,” establishes the hunting and pastoral theme used throughout the home. At one side, a walnut barley twist table is placed between two French open arm wing chairs. Through the arch in the main hall, the painting and wall sconce have been draped with greenery and striped silk ribbon. At the end of the hallway is a grandfather clock that belonged to the wife’s grandmother. The recent renovations made changes to the long center hallway. The space was divided into several sections with a series of arches and paneled the walls, creating a series of small galleries. The effect looking down the hallway is breathtaking.

In the foyer: “Montchanin”, a hand-blocked wall mural from Stark in the foyer are a pair of two French open arm wing chairs on either side of a walnut barley twist table. Longwood Antique Woods provided the floors throughout.

The comfortable hearth room is decorated with another traditional tree surrounded with festively wrapped gifts. The room, which joins the kitchen, has deep, comfortable seating facing the massive wooden breakfront bookcase and entertainment center. A wall of windows opens to a large screened porch, while overhead the ceiling is paneled with wood.

In the kitchen, greenery, fruit, and candles make the large mahogany island and the painted wood mantelshelf festive for the season. Once again, the hunting and animal theme has been carried out. The multi-colored glazed cotton chintz patterned with quail and woodland scenes from Scalamandre used in the breakfast room also ties into the country hunt theme. The octagonal breakfast room with windows or French doors on five sides has a raised and arched decorated ceiling. A swaged wooden bead chandelier hangs in the center. This stylish room overlooks the large bluestone terrace, as well as joins the rear porch. On one wall hangs a portrait by Carlton Ridge of two of the couple’s prized award-winning male alpacas.

The couple raises alpacas on the 10 acres of property. With a herd size of around 30 and up to 10 babies a year, these gentle creatures keep the couple busy. The couple belongs to a co-op where the wool is sent after they shear the alpacas once a year. Native to the high regions of the Andes, alpacas are related to llamas but are smaller in scale, with softer and finer wool. A very gentle and timid animal, the alpaca’s wool is the finest of any animal, softer and more silk-like than even cashmere.

The octagonal breakfast room with windows or French doors on five sides has a raised and arched decorated ceiling. A swaged wooden bead chandelier hangs in the center.

Animals and hunting have always been important to the husband, an avid sportsman, and as a reflection of that, the spacious den acts as a trophy room. A large stone fireplace at one end dominates the wood paneled room. Large leather lounge chairs flank the fireplace. For Christmas, lighted greens, pheasant feathers, ribbon and large red column candles on wooden candlesticks fill the mantel.

The spacious den acts as a trophy room. For Christmas, lighted greens, pheasant feathers, ribbon and large red column candles on wooden candlesticks fill the mantel.

In the master bedroom, a paneled headboard is crowned by a pleated half canopy. Warm browns and rust colors make a pleasant and comfortable spot for the couple to spend time away from the rest of the busy house. A French-style deep lounge chair and ottoman provide a relaxing place to sit. Overhead a crystal chandelier adds sparkle and elegance to the room.

Designed to handle large groups for entertaining, the home has a cozy and comfortable intimacy because of the careful attention to detail and scale. An abundance of windows and porches opens the residence to the outside. And if you happen to glance out and see an alpaca looking back at you, it is just an added bonus to this unique place.