MAIN LEVEL (6200 sq. feet)
The Main Level encompasses both public entertainment areas – the Gallery, Living Room, Library, Bar, and Dining Room; and living areas – the Family Room and Family Dining Room. The Kitchen, Powder Rooms, and Patios are strategically placed to service all rooms.
Ceilings are 9.5 ft. high and complement floor-to-ceiling double-hung windows and divided light French doors. Four wood burning fireplaces bring dancing flames and warmth. The Gallery has a gorgeous marble slab floor while the other rooms have exposed herringbone patterned hard wood floors stained a color that is a rich blend of walnut and ebony. All rooms have been carefully designed and furnished to maximize sunlight, highlight the stunning views, and feature pieces from the owners' art collection.
Gallery: Four large art walls flank the front door. These are currently filled with two paintings from the owner's art collection and a pair of mirrors. Colors and patterns of the floor reflect off these mirrors – marmalade with black and white highlights all organized into enticing geometric shapes. A two story wrought iron cylindrical floating staircase with a mahogany handrail rises up majestically from the center of the Gallery through the two upper levels of the House, directing your eyes to a gold-leafed dome. Hanging from this dome on a fabric-enshrouded chain that carries it down to the ceiling height of the main level is an eight-armed Venini Glass chandelier from Italy, circa 1940. The chandelier's lights emanate from pristine glass bowls and cast a warm glow in the Gallery and up the staircase. Across from the chandelier is a seating area with space for a painting to float above it on the curved wall.
Just beyond the circular staircase is an Otis elevator of commercial size and speed. While a fully modern vehicle, riding in its carved mahogany and silk clad cab feels stately and reminds one of elevators in luxurious old world hotels. Across from the elevator is the formal powder room which adopted the marmalade marble floor from the Gallery and the mahogany carved woodwork from the elevator.
Living Room: It has windows on its north and east walls and divided light French doors on the south. The designer believed in draperies for windows – but none for the glass doors. Therefore all windows are demurely draped while the French doors remain fully open to the light. Finally, a large limestone wood burning fireplace and mantle, and an art wall are to the west.
The entire living room is encircled by beefy baseboard and crown moldings painted a custom shade of off white. The room has two sitting areas. The first is an "intimate" area to the east side that is nestled against a row of custom radial windows, under a dropped ceiling. It is the perfect space for a single to lounge in a Recamier or a couple to sit at a round table and chairs.
The second area is a much larger square-shaped "entertaining" area that faces the fireplace and is delineated by a carpet resting on the hardwood floor. It is uniquely designed so that no piece of furniture (couches, chairs and tables) need touch a wall – Instead there is a circulation area that encompasses all 360 degrees of the entertainment space to encourage movement and communication among guests allowing all to view the many pieces of fine art that grace the walls.
Library and Bar: Tiger maple covers all walls of these adjoining rooms. Elaborately carved cabinetry and paneling highlight east- and south-facing windows. The shape of the Library is unusual -- it has the feel of a circle but yet two of its sides are straight! The library has a "work space" suitable for a grand desk and chair that look out to the harbor, and a comfortable sitting area that faces the second wood burning fireplace.
The marble wet bar is intimate and jewel box-like. Your eyes are drawn to a back-lit mirror that highlights a gracious display of bottles and glasses. Exploring further you will find within the cabinetry a sink, refrigerator and ice maker, as well as a surprisingly large storage area.
Main Patio: The Living and Dining Rooms share a large granite patio with a limestone railing. It affords 270 degrees of views. This patio was strategically situated just off the kitchen to facilitate outdoor entertaining. It is the perfect place to watch the sun set as golfers finish their rounds on the course and sailors make their way back to the harbor; and to then dine under the stars while availing yourself of subtle sound and lighting systems that adjust to all moods.
Dining Room: This room comfortably seats a couple or a crowd in a comfortable rectangular format. Hanging directly over the table is a shining glass chandelier. On the east side of the room is the third wood burning fireplace which incorporates an antique marble Adams Mantle. Spaces on either side accommodate a pair of china cabinets, while the area above the fireplace is perfect for a major work of art. The South wall is another major art wall that can accommodate a long credenza below. The east wall is comprised of three pairs of divided light French doors which open out to a patio overlooking the landscaped motor court. Finally, the northern wall is punctuated with floor to ceiling windows providing a view out to the front yard.
Kitchen: The kitchen is made of materials that combine to feel warm and cool at the same time. Four large windows bring in sunlight. Further warmth comes from the dark wooden floor and the black (with a hint of white and green) granite counter tops. Stainless steel on the central island, refrigerator and freezer, as well as the ovens, hood and sinks cool the room. Added cooling is provided by the white bead board cabinets and white "subway" tile that work around all 360 degrees of the kitchen.
In addition to being beautiful, this kitchen is highly functional and has produced meals for 2 and 200. It has a full complement of top-end appliances including two Meile dishwashers, a Subzero refrigerator and separate Subzero Freezer, a six burner Viking gas stove and associated hood, two double Jennair gas ovens (regular and convection, and microwave) and two sinks with garbage disposals. The associate butler's pantry has an additional dishwasher and 1/2 size refrigerator as well as warming drawers.
Family Area: The southern exit to the kitchen opens into the family dining room. This room has windows on the east and west walls and the fourth wood burning fireplace to the north. Directly below the dining room is the family room. It has a 270 degree view that takes in the English Garden, the outdoor pool, and a patio it shares with the kitchen.
The final room on this level is a second powder room just off the kitchen. It services the family areas and is situated to service all rooms on the Main Level.
