Grace, Beauty, and Charm: The Elegance of Hudson Valley Real Estate

  |  May 15, 2015
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The home of Maureen and John Finch epitomizes a well-maintained older house.

“The Devil is in the Details” is the internationally unspoken creed of interior designers. Dynamic window sashes, triple-crown moldings, and recessed paneling are all earmarks of a well-executed design. Gracious spaces paired with an abundance of natural light can be reminiscent of the great estates of Europe. The success of the PBS Series ‘Downton Abbey’ has created a sensation throughout the design worlds of fashion, beauty and decorating. Or perhaps is the series’ success due to the actor’s performances? To some degree a declaration of equality has been declared. Engaging actors, clothed in stunning fashions, and featured in a backdrop of amazing rooms have literally captivated the world. Julian Fellows next endeavor is rumored to focus upon America’s Gilded Age. Again, engaging characters, swathed in elegant apparel, silhouetted by well-appointed rooms will be the prevailing theme.

But hold on, the new focus will be the Gilded Age? Were not the great estates of the Hudson Valley part of this lively era? Names like Livingston, Gould, Mills, Cordts, and Vanderbilt instantly spring to mind. Indeed the Hudson Valley was a defining participant in the Gilded Age. Prosperous residents of varied station sought the very best money could afford. Elaborate porticos were designed, gardens crowned by tea houses were erected, along with interiors featuring gracious rooms with impeccable detailing. Then the bubble burst.

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The simplistic beauty of nineteenth century architecture

Bursting bubbles are literally a floating dynamic. Bubbles rarely burst simultaneously. Instead some bubbles burst while others float unscathed. The Real Estate market of the Hudsin Valley is a good example. Unfortunately many of the area’s properties – regardless of their design – have one of two dynamics. Either their details have remained intact or they have been mired by unfortunate renovations.

An interior designer’s dream is an updated home whose decor embraces the past; a home wherein the architectural detailing, natural light, and fluidity are unscathed by unfortunate modifications. In Seven Ways to Love Your Older Home, I identified some of the ways to preserve your home’s unique features. Featured in this article was the home of Maureen and John Finch. The Finch’s Home in the Town of Ulster epitomizes each of these seven tenants. Conserved original details, complimentary landscaping and thoughtful exterior color selections are just a few of the home’s assets.

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The spacious dining room is bathed in natural light.

The most appealing aspect of this home is the flow of space. Many of the home’s rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows. The entrance hall, the dining room, and living room wainscoting, along with the raised panels are enhanced by the scale of each of the spaces. When the Finch’s purchased the home 17 years ago the home lacked a large exterior space for entertaining. With a masterful eye, the Finch’s designed a charming screened porch which appropriately compliments the home’s Greek Revival design. The kitchen is an epicurean’s dream. Accented with a glorious bay of windows the kitchen is the perfect gathering place for friends and family. Rarely have I entered a home whose appeal is so pronounced. The ceiling height throughout would readily welcome wall hangings of a large scale. The living room fireplace is exquisite, though not intimidating. This home would lend itself to grand parties and intimate evenings alike.

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The living room lends itself to large gatherings and intimate settings.

The rage in the Hudson Valley these days is for homes that afford multiple uses. The expansive drive, sprawling double lot, and well appointed interior spaces would accommodate either charity events or weddings. Corporate events and cocktail parties could generously fill the home’s rooms. If you are considering starting an Air BNB or listing with FinePlaces2Stay then this is the property for you. The guest wing includes: a sitting/dining area with two 2nd floor bedrooms and a bathroom. A private entrance assures easy access.

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The kitchen provides all of the modern conveniences while preserving the character of an older home.

I assume it is boldly obvious that I’m enamored with this home. To be frank, this home is a one-of-a-kind opportunity. If this property had been listed in 2014, Gary and I would have purchased it. Magnificent properties with the immediate ability to produce income are a rare find. The Spring has definitely sprung in the Hudson Valley. Take a weekend drive up to Storm King, then drive on over to the town of Ulster to see the Finch Home. Listed with John Finch Reality at $599,000 this home is a fraction of the cost of a Brooklyn, Williamsburg or Manhattan Apartment.

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A beautifully designed side porch compliments the home’s classical lines.

About Haynes Llewellyn

Haynes Llewellyn, an interior designer, preservationist and accomplished party planner, relocated to the Hudson Valley city of Kingston from Manhattan’s Central Park West neighborhood in 2007. During Haynes’s almost nine years in the Hudson Valley, he has been featured in numerous television, radio, magazine and newspaper interviews. Haynes’s first Kingston restoration project was of a Historic 1840’s Greek Revival home, featured in the recently released Rizzoli Interior Design book Heart and Home: Rooms that Tell Stories by Linda Okeeffe. Haynes has served on a number of boards of directors, event committees and commissions since arriving in the Hudson Valley. Haynes, along with his two Scottish Terrier Rescues and partner Gary Swenson, is currently in the process of renovating his second Kingston home, a 1939 Colonial.

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