Fireplace Mantels

Let’s Visit 30 Folly Point Road, Gloucester, MA

May 9th, 2012 11 Comments

This past Sunday, Sally and I attended a champagne reception at Seawinds, 30 Folly  Point Road in Gloucester, hosted by John and Cindy Farrell of Boston North Real Estate. While the address is a Gloucester address, the feel is much more Annisquam and Lanesville. Or, as I said to Sally as we drove up the drive, “We could just as easily be looking out over oyster beds at the mouth of the Loire River, as be in Gloucester”.

A closer shot of the entry. Check out the bell with the rope pull…

Entry at 30 Folly Point Road, Gloucester, MA

 

The terrace looking toward Ipswich Bay…

To my delight, oysters on the half shell were served as an accompaniment to the Champagne. (along with many other yummy treats and appetizers…) While we were there, we had a nice chat with the contractor who has worked on the house for the past 10 years, Rocky Neck Associates (Their work is impeccable!) and Katharine Pickering, manager of Beverly’s Coldwell Banker office, and her husband, Richard.

Sally with the guys from Rocky Neck.

 

The home’s interior was a feast for the eyes, particularly the great room, dining room and master bath. Originally built as a three season summer home, the views are to die for.

When the house was original built in the 1920′s, the dining room was designed around 16th Century English paneling imported from England.

A close up of the fireplace…

Isn’t it spectacular?

The wood trusses, doors and hardware were imported to the project site from England and Europe.

A detail shot of the fireplace… The tile as fantastic!

 

There is a tiny bay window room off the great room that is to die for.

Sally and I were so taken by the detailing and paint work in the room. Great stuff going on here!

Note the roping and the painted dentils.

And check out the antique doors. Mortise and tenon and pegged together. Chamfered door stiles. Mmmmm.

Awesome pull, yes?

 

One last shot of the ocean thru little port hole windows that were in the upstairs bedrooms…

Wouldn’t you, love to wake up here???

 

Cheers,

Oh… This weekend the Wenham Museum’s North Shore Design Show opens. We’re bringing a little Belgian Style to the show. On Tuesday the 15th and Thursday the 17th, the Museum will remain open until 7 PM. I will be there from about 5 – 7. Sally and I are hosting a Home Styling Seminar on the 17th at 6 PM, where we will completely change the look and feel of our vignette using rugs, accessories and artwork. Hope to see you there!

If you’d like us to bring a little Belgian Style into your home, contact us here.

4th Annual Wenham Museum Kitchen Tour, October 15th

October 14th, 2011 8 Comments

Just a quick reminder… Sally and I are proud to be sponsors of  tomorrow’s Wenham Museum 4th Annual Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour. It is from 11 – 4. Tickets can be purchased on line at the Museum’s website. If you take the tour, be sure to swing by 41 Central Street in Manchester. Sally and I would love to meet you and have the opportunity to chat a little. While you’re there, you can pick up a complimentary copy of the current Boston Design Guide and tickets to next weekend’s Ellis Boston Antiques Show, of which we are a proud supporter. It is going to be a specatcular show!

41 Central Street during renovation.

 

A few sneak peaks of the interior and it’s gorgeous original Federal Period architecture.

 

 Original Samuel Mcintire fireplace mantel. 

 To see the kitchen you’ll have to come on the Tour! Saturday’s weather is going to be terrific. Come on out. See gorgeous kitchens and support a wonderful North Shore museum and institution. We’d love to see you!

Cheers,

Back in the Saddle

September 29th, 2011 2 Comments

After my long weekend break, I find myself reluctantly jumping back in to my daily work routine. I’ve waded through emails, phone messages, blog, Facebook – even visited our 1804 house jobsite to check on the progress of the stair and wall papering. One foot is clearly still back in northern Maine and it won’t be until tomorrow that I‘m fully engaged with work. The weather was perfect and the fishing exceeded my wildest expectations. In my previous post, I said that if I caught a native Brook Trout that I’d share a picture  with you. I was able to fool several, including this male in full spawning color. Mother Nature sure knows how to use a paint brush, doesn’t she? The range of tints and hues is staggering!

Fall foliage was just starting to come in to its own. I took these two shoots on the West Branch of the Penobscot River.

Mt. Katahdin in the background.

The swamp maples were in their glory!

At breakfast and at the end of the day, we’d watch pontoon planes transport guides and their sports to remote wilderness lakes.

Our rustic cabin…  Life is good!

The weather cooperated on Monday and Sally was able to get the photo shoot of the little summer cottage done. We’re waiting on pins and needles for the proofs! I was especially pleased to hear that she used several custom tote bags from her Olivia Kent business as accessories in the shoot. She put that effort on hold when we shifted gears to focus on residential design. I keep telling her she needs to find a way to resurrect it.

One of Sally’s custom tote bags in my favorite chair.

When I visited the 1804 house jobsite this morning I was thrilled to see that wall paper is hung, light fixtures are all installed, and the stair, with its cherry treads, balustrades and handrail, is beginning to look like a stair. We should have a final cherry finish sample for the stair tonight and staining of stair parts can begin post haste!

Osborne & Little wallpaper detail in the dining room.

A light blue Cowtan & Tout stria in the parlor. The delft tile looks perfect!

And a black Brunschwig & Fils toile paper for the powder room.

The foyer chandelier hangs from the 2nd floor ceiling.

The stair begins to take shape!

I invite you to come see the finished kitchen and 6 other beautiful kitchens in the greater Hamilton/Wenham/Manchester, MA area. The tour is on Saturday, October 15, from 11 – 4. Tickets can be bought online here. Complimentary tickets to the following weekend’s Ellis Boston Antique Show will be available at our kitchen during tour hours.

Cheers,