KYKUIT

The last few weekends have been amazing from an aesthetic standpoint! I'm still reeling from sensory overload after spending three days in the Hudson Valley at the Rockefeller properties of Kykuit and Fieldwood Farms. Extraordinary in every way- our weekend started with dinner at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The barns were part of the Rockefeller estate and the property along with the stellar restaurant is dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture and local food. We were hosted at Fieldwood Farms during our stay, the home built by John D. Rockefeller III and his wife Blanchette. In the wake of both Hurricane Sandy and the subsequent nor'easter, the wood burning fireplaces and an amazing collection of American art was food for the soul.

 

Saturday was spent on the grounds at Kykuit, the country home of John D. Rockefeller built between 1906 and 1913 by architects Delano and Aldrich and now part of the National Trust. We spent the morning wandering the Playhouse- the Tudor style mansion housing the indoor pool, tennis court and bowling alley. Our afternoon was spent touring the Big House with its interiors by Ogden Colman and meandering through the spectacular gardens designed by William Welles Bosworth.

 

A truly unforgettable weekend with equally extraordinary friends! Sometimes "life can be a dream!"

 

http://www.bluehillfarm.com/food/blue-hill-stone-barns/directions

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kykuit

 

 

 

 

 

THERE'S A CHILL IN THE AIR

"Listen! The wind is blowing and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!"

Humbert Wolfe

"Morning in the Fall" by rclark

GIL SCHAFER AND THE GREAT AMERICAN HOUSE

I had the pleasure of spending time with the very talented Gil Schafer the last two years at the Design Leadership Summit, so I was thrilled when I received an advance copy of his new book from Rizzoli, The Great American House: Tradition for the Way We Live Now. Not only is Gil one of AD's 100, but also a winner of Veranda's "Art of Design Award". In addition to being an amazing architect, Gil is also a very charming man with a fabulous sense of humor. The book is gorgeous, the photography luscious. It is positively inspiring down to the very last detail!

Gil will be speaking at ADAC on October 16th at 10 am and I, for one, cannot wait to grab a front row seat!