Below is information on the five beautifully decorated homes on the 2015 Ridgefield Holiday House Tour! Enjoy!
TOWER COTTAGE 48 East Ridge
Highlights:
• Queene Anne Victorian built in 1880 as indicated on the historical plaque aside the front door.
• Constructed for Nathan Lounsbury Rockwell, nephew of then Connecticut governor, Phineas Lounsbury.
• As a young girl, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy spent many summers at Tower Cottage...visiting her aunt, Maude Davis, and her family.
• A distinctive feature of this home, the turret, creates a tall tower on three floors, and hence, takes its name, Tower Cottage. The first floor contains the library/office, the second floor contains the master bedroom, and the third floor a games room.
• Ten foot ceilings throughout, and spacious yet intimate room sizes. Original woodwork, fireplaces and surrounds, pocket doors and windows. Generously sized wrap-around porch.
• Many antiques and collectibles, fabrics and furnishings have been brought back from the homeowner's time spent as expats in Europe.
• Family room with fireplace and breakfast area were added on in the 1990s and maintain original architectural integrity of home.
• Stunning butler's pantry with original cabinetry and hardware.
• Original coal burning stove still intact in the kitchen with servants bell above.
• Passed down from owner to owner is a wicker chair said to have been a favorite of Jackie Bouvier's as a young girl.
Affectionately known as "Tower Cottage", this stunning Queene Anne Victorian home was built around 1880 by renowned architect of the time, Charles Northrop, also the designer of the Lounsbury House (the Ridgefield Community Center). It was constructed for Nathan Lounsbury Rockwell, nephew of Phineas Lounsbury, governor of Connecticut from 1887-1889. For years, the house was used as a summer cottage when Ridgefield was in its heyday as a resort town. New York CIty residents called their 15-20 room mansions "cottages".
The family of John and Maude Davis rented the home each summer during the 1930's and purchased Tower Cottage from the Rockwell family in 1946. Jackie was the Davis' niece, by virtue of her father, Jack Bouvier, being Maude Davis' brother. She and her father spent many summers during this time visiting Ridgefield and staying at Tower Cottage. You will find the purported Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy chair, a favorite of young Jackie's, located in the powder room off the kitchen.
Visitors are welcomed today with an expansive wrap-around porch where the homeowners enjoy a morning coffee, the sounds of baseball from the surrounding sport fields, enjoying the pleasant breezes, or viewing the evening's sunset over Main Street. It is here that the tour begins so please enjoy. A unique feature to the house is the tall turret room which houses the library with bowed windows on the ground floor. Ten foot ceilings throughout, an inviting flow from room to room, and intimately proportioned rooms give this home a gracious and airy feeling. The exterior of the home is festively enrobed in holiday decor to complement the season.
Please enjoy the cello and violin duo between the hours of 10--1pm; cookies and hot cider available to eat/drink in the kitchen until they are all gone! Enjoy.....
ENTRY HALLWAY: The start of the tour begins in the welcoming foyer that gives you a glimpse of the superbly crafted rooms surrounding it, each featuring their original pocket doors and windows. An original staircase leads directly into the room. Flanking the foyer are the sitting room to the left, the library to the right, a side hall entrance preceding the dining room, and a finely crafted archway leading through to the kitchen. One can view the foyer Christmas tree of silver and gold twinkling from the street. Garlands decorate the staircase, and needlepoint stockings lovingly made by the family's grandmother, Marmee, hang below.
SITTING ROOM: On your left is the sitting room beautifully furnished with antiques and pieces bought overseas during the homeowner's travels. Notice how the wallpaper complements the English bamboo furnishing. The oversized 19th century Napolean mirror reflects the light in the room. Sitting atop the Chinese desk is the Owl Tree purchased from the Community Center's Christmas Tree Festival in celebration of the family's first Christmas here in Ridgefield. Boxwood wreaths decorate the windows.
LIBRARY: The library houses not only books but the family's working office, and is located to the right of the foyer. It occupies the first level of the turret. Cranberry walls are offset by the white trim within the room, and the handsome black marble fireplace original to the home. Note the Nutcrackers flanking the fireplace and corresponding music boxes on top of the mantel. Boxwood wreaths enhance the festive feeling in this room. The piano provides much musical enjoyment by their daughters.
SIDE HALL ENTRY: On the way to the dining room off the foyer is the side hall entrance on the right. The charming side entrance is lined with the original bead board, wood floors, and illuminated with an antique light fixture typical of the turn of the century. The oak Victorian coat rack captures the original feel of the home. Take a peak onto the wrap around porch or the preciously decorated staircase leading up to the second floor.
DINING ROOM: The formal dining room is not so formal for it is used very often, and also home to many family celebrations. The original windows welcome nature into the room and blends well with the calming green walls, and floral artwork. The crystal chandelier creates a sparkle which is captured in the mirror over the original tiled fireplace. The French marble-topped buffet houses all sorts of holiday treats and sweets. The table is decorated for the Christmas feast. The decorated mantel which displays the family's nativity scene awaits the arrival of Baby Jesus. Candelabras and candles when alight provide a special warmth especially during the holidays.
FAMILY & BREAKFAST ROOMS: Off the dining room are the family and breakfast rooms added by former owners in the 1990s.
The fluted columns naturally dividing the two rooms maintains the integrity of the original architecture. The high ceilings and skylights provide bundles of natural light while the oak and brick fireplace adds a special glow in this room. The oversized, homespun tree and candy cane decorations capture a child's Christmas and for those young at heart. Note a heartwarming letter to Santa and cookies by the fireside. And a puzzle is always a work in progress at the Swedish table. The surrounding bookcases house some well-loved books.
BUTLERS PANTRY: On the way to the kitchen is the stunning butlers pantry, an original and very unique feature at Tower Cottage. The dark oak cabinets line the perimeter of this cozy room with bundles of charm and lots of practical storage especially necessary at the turn of the century for those servants serving up formal and fancy meals to all of their visiting guests. Now it is enjoyed more often by the homeowners for mixing up cocktails and wine tastings, and strung with fairy lights to provide a year-round glow. Don't forget to steal a kiss under the mistletoe!
KITCHEN: The kitchen was completely renovated with the help of Joe Fossi of Pelham Homes and Simon Johnson of Northeast Cabinet Design. Essentially the homeowners adhered primarily to the general layout, but tweaked the placement of appliances, furniture arrangement, and updating the overall style. The black and white color scheme and marble counter tops provide a more contemporary feeling in addition to the crystal globe chandelier suspended over vintage French wood farm table. The table is set festively for a children's Christmas. The charming coal stove is original to Tower Cottage and helped to warm the kitchen while food was prepared. The original servants bell hangs above. Unfortunately, the homeowner regrets no servants are employed today! Do help yourself to cookies and hot apple cider before you move on to the next room.
POWDER ROOM: Passing through the archway which was designed to duplicate the original archway in the front foyer are the panelled refrigerators on the left, and a freestanding English oak cabinet and its display of creamware which mimics the cabinetry in the butler's pantry. Turn the corner and you have reached the powder room. These combined areas were renovated to create the existing kitchen pantry extension and powder room. Handsome wallpaper, crystal chandelier, and antique table lamp provide a cozy corner in which to display the Jacqueline Bouvier white wicker chair.
This concludes the tour of Tower Cottage. On your way out you will pass through a sweet little passageway under the main staircase that will lead you back to the main foyer and the exit.
120 Prospect Ridge
As you pass through the gates of this 1928 grey-shingled colonial you can feel the tranquility of this peaceful sanctuary. The gravel driveway is a picturesque introduction to this tastefully landscaped property with formal English gardens throughout. On the way to the front door visitors are greeted with a bluestone walkway bordered with boxwoods and stonewalls.
The main house is entered through a gracious covered entrance with a custom-built doorframe and leaded glass windows. The welcoming large center hall offers a glimpse of the rear terrace through French doors. There is a hand-carved teak mirror from Bali over a family heirloom desk. An authentic Tibetan chest sits beneath the main stairway, adorned with festive holiday greens. Throughout the home you will notice countless Santas collected by the family.
LIVING ROOM: As you enter the living room to the right, the family Christmas tree shares yuletide cheer for all. This lovely room is often the setting for parties and game nights around the roar of a fire, but it also offers a quiet and contemplative space at the English Barrister’s desk. An antique long case clock from Derby holds court in the corner, and many family photos and memories find their home here.
SUNROOM: Continue on through the French doors to the Sunroom, a favorite gathering spot for the family to watch television together. Windows wrap this light-filled space on 3 sides and provide a stunning view of the heart-shaped pool and perennial gardens.
DINING ROOM: The gracious formal dining room is set for the family’s annual Christmas Eve party. Many of the Santa Claus’ collected can be seen here in the custom cabinets, which along with the French doors, frame the children’s Christmas tree. Notice the lovely art deco crystal chandelier and the detail on the cabinetry and trim.
MUDROOM: Passing through the Mudroom, you will see more finely crafted woodwork with a built in bench leading to a private outdoor setting. There is a large tin sink set in granite and a Chinese Emperor’s vest rummaged by the homeowner from a farmer’s market in Beijing. Continue on through the arched doorway to the kitchen.
KITCHEN: This gourmet’s custom kitchen and sun-drenched porch with a 19th century leaded light window is the heart of the home with its extra large island and ample seating for the entire family. The white inset cabinets and exquisite trim at every turn continue the fine craftsmanship used throughout the home. Notice the coffered ceiling and window seats, another comfortable gathering spot where the family enjoys being together. French doors lead to the terrace and formal gardens that encompass remnants of the old stone barn from the days that this property was part of Fair Acres Farm.
GUEST COTTAGE: the tour continues outside to the family’s guest cottage. As you walk over, you will see a Victorian chimney salvaged from a construction site in East London.
The light-filled entranceway leading to the Garden Room is watched over by a Ming Warrior statue from Singapore and a hand-painted chest collected in Shanghai. Ascend the staircase and imagine spending the night in your own private oasis. Throughout the suite are more Asian and English antiquities collected while the family was living abroad, where they are headed again and reluctantly putting this lovely home up for sale.
This concludes the tour and you will exit out through the gate.
HIGE RIDGE MANOR 63 High Ridge Avenue
Highlights:
• Constructed in the late 1800’s as E.P. Dutton’s summer cottage
• Charming Queen Anne Victorian style with turret and round porches
• Exquisite Tiffany windows, 10 ft. ceilings, custom finished coffered
ceilings and solid oak 3” thick doors
• Estate sits on 3.4 acres on what was considered “Publisher’s Row”
• 3 stories, 14 rooms, 8,700 square feet with 7 bedrooms
Publisher E.P. Dutton built High Ridge Manor in the late 1800’s to be his grand summer cottage. Ridgefield was quickly becoming a summer destination for wealthy New Yorkers during this time and this charming Victorian joined several other High Ridge Homes built around the same time in an area of Ridgefield known as “Publisher’s Row”. Charles Henry Holt was in the brick mansion on the corner of Peaceable and High Ridge, and George Doubleday built a home on Peaceable Street, now the location of Temple Shearith Israel. A feature in this month’s Ridgefield Magazine, the home is as spectacular as it was in the late 1800’s.
The current homeowners, with the help of architect Sean O’Keene, spent the last 1½ years painstakingly restoring and updating this spectacular home. Great effort was made to modernize and improve while maintaining the integrity of the original home. Their goal was to bring it into the 21st century while retaining its 19th century roots. Master craftsman repurposed to other areas in the home any moldings or built-ins that were removed. To make the home more energy-efficient, glass in all of the windows was removed, then grooves were added to the original window frames to accommodate double paned, energy-efficient glass. A labor-intensive method, however this allowed the original window frames to remain intact. These are just a few examples of the many improvements and changes that were made.
A large circular front porch is your first welcome to this home before entering through a stately front door into a gracious ENTRY HALL with exquisite wainscoting and a rounded ceiling. As you enter you feel you have taken a walk back in history. The homeowners have restored it to its original splendor so that it looks much like it did when E.P. Dutton spent his summers here.
LIVING ROOM: on your left, is a grand sized living room with extensive moldings and lofty ceilings. It is a perfect backdrop for the homeowner’s modern art collection that is showcased here, and throughout the home.
The DEN, on your right, with exquisite wood paneling, is also filled with some of the homeowner’s vast art collection. The artwork displayed here are photographs that have been enhanced with different mediums. The stained-glass windows are original to the home and were completely restored and modernized so they are energy efficient.
DINING ROOM: a magnificent, formal room, it still has the original fireplace framed with duck tiles; Dutton was an avid duck hunter. Notice the exquisite mahogany cutouts in the coffered ceiling, wainscoting and the crystal chandelier.
Twisted balusters, wainscoting and a detailed ceiling create a grand main staircase.
As you proceed down the hallway you will see a MUDROOM on your left, which was added during the renovation. It has built-in lockers and hooks for coats to make the home function for a modern-day family.
KITCHEN: was completely gutted and redone during the recent 1½ renovation. The finely crafted cabinetry and marble counters remain true to the age and architecture of the home. The columns in the island and flanking the desk came from cabinetry removed from the living room. The fireplace in this room was turned into a 2-sided fireplace and the adjacent FAMILY ROOM was added during the kitchen project.
French doors off of the family room lead to a new TERRACE created with stone that had been removed from parts of the outside structure. The stone used on the addition took 14 months of searching to find a perfect match to the original stonework. From this terrace you have a view of the pool house, garage, pool and tennis court beyond.
You will proceed back to the main stairway to head to the second floor.
SECOND FLOOR: was essentially gutted to allow for electrical upgrades and the addition of HVAC. The moldings were removed during the gutting, stored in the garage, and then reassembled. Missing moldings were replaced with new moldings that were made from scratch. To achieve an authentic copy of the original moldings artisan’s recreated the original “knives” so their lumberyard could create authentic, matching moldings as needed. The fireplaces in each of the bedrooms are originals. The master bath is new but looks like it might have looked when the home was first built ~ with some modern improvements!
LAUNDRY ROOM: is a short walk down the hall from the bedroom wing. It is a large room outfitted with the original, exquisite built-in cabinetry. During the renovation this room was actually reduced in size. As you continue further down the hall you have entered where the servants were quartered back in Dutton’s day.
THIRD FLOOR: A staircase leading to the third floor, added by architect Sean O’Keane in the recent renovation, looks like it is part of the original home. Mr. O’Keane created this light-filled space by taking down walls and using the turret that holds the back stairway from the 1st floor, to open it into an airy stairway to the 3rd floor.
PLAYROOM: the playroom is on this floor, a child’s paradise, with every kind of toy you can imagine. The large mirror in the “dress-up” corner came from the living room, as did the large benches flanking the doorway.
This now completes the tour and you will exit downstairs to the main entrance. We hope you enjoyed your tour!
NYDEGGEN 7 Christopher Road
Highlights:
• Constructed in 1910 on 30 acres of land; now on 2.8 acres, subdivided in early 1950’s
• Outbuildings originally included a carriage house, a greenhouse, an icehouse and a boathouse
• 7,500 square feet with 9.5 ft. ceilings
• Original telephone in “telephone room”
• Doorbells inset into many doorframes to call servants
• Servant call panel in kitchen – [no longer in working order]
• Leaded glass windows with 2 stained glass insets in solarium
• Heavy wooden doors at front entrance are original
• Wood paneling in family room is original
• Butler’s pantry cabinetry is original
• Oil paintings throughout the 1st floor purchased at various art auctions
• Many examples of Norwegian decorative objects, including pewter items and “rosemaling” items [a style of Norwegian decorative painting on wood that uses flower ornamentation, scrollwork, lining and geometric patterns, often in flowing patterns].
Nydeggen was built in 1910 for Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schenck as their summer residence. According to the Holland Society of New York their main residence was in Brooklyn, NY. The house was built on 30 acres of land on Lake Mamanasco, with a rolling lawn down to the lake and virtually no trees, as it was open farmland prior to the house being built. Outbuildings on the property included a carriage house, [which is now 22 Lisa Lane and also on the Holiday House Tour], a greenhouse, an icehouse and a boathouse.
The name of the house, “Nydeggen”, came from the Schenck van Nydeggen line in Germany, from which Henry believed he was descended, and named after the famous castle, Nydeggen, located in Germany and built in 1177.
In the early 1950’s approximately 27 acres were sold off, including all outbuildings. In that transaction, 2.8 acres were retained with this house, 22 new houses were built and Christopher Road and Lisa Lane were created.
Maria Theodora van Wyck Schenck was born in 1862 and died in 1942 at the age 80. She married Henry de Bevoise Schenck relatively late in life at the age of 35 and never had any children. With the maiden name of van Wyck it is believed she may have been related to Robert Anderson van Wyck who served as 91st mayor of NYC January 1898-December 1901 and for whom the Van Wyck Expressway is named. Maria had one sister, Katherine, who built the “sister” house to Nydeggen in a very similar architectural style. That house is now the St. Ignatius Retreat House on Tackora Trail.
Henry de Bevoise Schenck was born in 1861 and died at age 67 in 1929. He married Maria relatively late in life at age 36. Henry worked for the very prestigious London-based private banking firm Brown Shipley & Co. It is believed he was related to the founders of a very prominent law firm in NYC at that time called Debevoise & Plimpton. In the 1890’s, before he and Maria were married, he built a 45-room mansion that he called “Boswyck” located on Florida Hill Road in Ridgefield. He sold “Boswyck” to Col. Edward Knox, a Congressional Medal of Honor winner from the Civil War, who was frequently visited by the famous author Mark Twain.
The tour of this lovely English Country house begins as you enter through a heavy wooden door, original to the home, into a stately foyer. The ceilings are 9.5 feet throughout and note the doorbell inset in the doorframe at the front door. This bell was used to call the servants; you will see there are many like this one throughout the house. If you peek to the right you will see the original “telephone room” which you’ll pass through on your way out. Right now you will continue to the left into the living room.
LIVING ROOM: this large, gracious room was probably where the Schenck’s received their guests. The homeowner’s main Christmas tree takes center stage in this room, along with their Christmas stockings. Many lovely oil paintings purchased at various art auctions are hanging in this room, and throughout the first floor. A player piano sits opposite from the Christmas tree.
SOLARIUM: this sun-filled room located adjacent to the living room has a stunning wall of original leaded glass windows with a breathtaking view of Lake Mamanasco in the distance. If you look closely you will see the 2 stained glass insets in the windows, one of which looks to be medieval, quite possibly Schenck van Nydeggen relatives from Germany. The other is believed to be an image of the “lady of the manor”, Maria van Wyck Schenck.
FAMILY ROOM: is handsomely crafted with the original wood paneling and built-in cabinetry. If you look out the side door there is a large pergola with a 100 year-old wisteria growing on it. At the other end of this room there is an OFFICE with an antique typewriter and cabinetry designed to match the original cabinetry throughout the home.
DINING ROOM: is a grand sized room with a spectacular view of the rolling lawn down to the lake. The table is beautifully set as it would be for entertaining on Christmas. Many items in this room have been in the family for several generations, including the antique oriental carpet, the grandfather clock, and the china cabinet adjacent to the window, as well as the items within it. More paintings from the family’s oil painting collection are displayed here.
BUTLER’S PANTRY: is the next stop on your tour with the original, finely detailed cabinetry. Storage abounds in this room as it was designed to support the servants in the early 1900’s serving formal meals each day to the Schenck’s.
KITCHEN: A large, bright room, this kitchen/breakfast room was completely renovated recently with the goal of modernizing and improving it, but also staying true to the age and integrity of the home. The cabinets were carefully matched to the original cabinets found elsewhere in the house, with details such as inset doors, exposed hinges, drawer pulls and latches. The range is tucked into a space that was originally the fireplace, with an exquisite mantel topping it off. You will also find, if you look above the door under the kitchen stairway, the servant’s bell. All of the doorbell buttons you’ve seen in the moldings around the doors throughout the house used to ring here to alert the servants.
The tour concludes as you pass down a hallway that leads to the TELEPHONE ROOM. This room has an original telephone on the wall to the left of the doorway that leads you back to the foyer.
THE CARRIAGE HOUSE 22 Lisa Lane
Highlights:
• Built sometime around 1910
• House was the carriage house for the Nydeggen Estate
• Estate was subdivided in the 1950’s
• Carriage house, together with the icehouse, were sold at this time
• Current homeowner’s purchased property in 1975
• Living and dining rooms were where the carriages were parked
• Kitchen was the car wash and the 2nd floor was the chauffeur’s apartment
• Front porch added by the homeowner’s
• Glass bottle collection in living room came from the property grounds
• Wooden Santa Claus collection in dining room were made by the homeowner 30 years ago
• Signed Robert Stubner painting in the dining room came from the manor home
This charming home was once the carriage house to “Nydeggen” at 7 Christopher Road, also on this Holiday House Tour. It was built sometime around 1910 on the 30 acre Nydeggen estate. In the early 1950’s Nydeggen was subdivided into a housing development and the outbuildings were sold. The carriage house and icehouse were kept together on one piece of property and are together still today. 40 years ago the current homeowners purchased the carriage house property, raised their 5 children here, and have been renovating it room by room over the course of that time. The icehouse house was refurbished and converted into a guest house and is now called the “cottage”. When the homeowners purchased the property the icehouse still had some of the corncob insulation in the walls!
As you enter the carriage house you will feel as if you have entered a magical winter wonderland, beautifully decked out for the holidays with festive Christmas decorations. It has been painstakingly renovated to stay true to its carriage house roots yet also transformed into a lovely, comfortable house for modern times. The homeowner’s talented son, Thomas McInerney, of McInerney Building and Remodeling, crafted the exceptional millwork and wainscoting you will see throughout the first floor.
The FOYER gives visitors a warm welcome with its creamy painted walls and pristine white millwork. Look up and you will see some of the original ceiling beams. Back in its carriage house days the living and dining rooms were where the carriages were parked and the kitchen was the cart/car wash. The upstairs was the chauffeur’s apartment. The homeowners added the front porch 40 years ago.
LIVING ROOM: it is hard to believe that in the early 1900’s this room was where the carriages were parked. Now, in its place, there is exquisite millwork and built-in cabinetry that holds an extensive collection of books and family photographs. The family Christmas tree sits in this corner. The ceiling beams are either original or made to match the original beams to maintain the integrity of its heritage. In one corner there is a cabinet with a glass bottle collection that the homeowner’s children found around the property. They believe the main house, many years ago, used the land behind the icehouse as a dump. Over the years the bottles have slowly moved to the surface of the land. When their children were young and playing around the property they would dig them up and bring them home to mom. The bottles now fill the shelves of this corner cabinet.
BUTLER’S PANTRY: as you continue down the hallway towards the kitchen you will see, on your right, a stunning butler’s pantry. Once an enclosed pantry/closet, it was transformed by son Thomas into an exquisite space with marble counters and handsome, dark cabinetry. When the homeowners entertain their many friends and extensive family, it is the perfect setting to serve buffet dinners.
KITCHEN: A car wash back in its carriage house days, the kitchen was recently renovated during the past 2 years by son/builder, Thomas McInerney. The homeowner told her son to make all decisions regarding the details of the kitchen, including cabinets, hardware, floor plan, appliances and lighting. The message/telephone center is a magnetic backsplash. It was cleverly made using a piece of sheet metal that was etched with a sander. It is a fine example of what a master craftsman can do when left to his own devices. His mom absolutely loves her kitchen and calls her son a creative genius. It is beautifully appointed with exceptionally detailed millwork, white inset cabinetry, marble counters and stainless steel gourmet appliances. The island is large enough to seat all 12 of their grandchildren and has under counter lighting on it. Take a look out the windows above the sink and you will see an expansive deck with a view of Lake Mamanasco.
FAMILY ROOM: was added to the original carriage house 40 years ago. As you circle around from the kitchen to the family room and look partway up the stairs you will see a window that opens to the dining room on the other side. The grandchildren use this window and landing as their stage to put on plays for the adults sitting in the dining room. The stunning cabinetry that holds the television is also the perfect place to display the husband’s Lionel Train collection.
DINING ROOM: is lovingly referred to, by the family, as “the Sistine Chapel” because of the extensive millwork and wainscoting crafted by their son, Thomas. The painting above the buffet is a signed Robert Stubner [1874-1931], a German artist who was popular in the early 1900’s. The painting was left in the barn when the homeowners bought the property, and was one of the reasons they purchased the property. It most likely was hanging in the manor house back in its heyday. The homeowners fell in love with it. Their son designed and built a special place of honor for the painting on the wall framed with extensive wainscot and moldings and highlighted with special lighting. He made the same custom space for the china cabinet. 30 years ago the homeowner made the charming collection of Santas decorating the window. Don’t forget to look for the “puppet show” window before you leave the dining room.
This concludes the tour of the Carriage House.
Thank you for coming to the 2015 Ridgefield Holiday House Tour and supporting Tiger Hollow. We hope you enjoyed it. Happy Holidays to all!