The first thing I notice when I step inside Westchester Magazine‘s American Dream Home are the mums. Not the yellow or orange varieties in pots on stoops for fall, but hand-painted chrysanthemums on the bright blue entryway wall. The designs pop with pretty without being too girly, and I run my finger over the petals while thinking about where I might paint some in my house.
There are lots of surprises — and inspiring design ideas — at the American Dream Home. It was decorated by local designer Susan Anthony of Anthony-Olanow Design Group. Located at Hudson Harbor, a new development of carriage house-style townhomes that are more similar in style to federal Georgetown than city brownstones, the Dream Home impresses with its homey (and sophisticated) decor, smart bathrooms and gorgeous paint colors. Built on 24 formerly polluted acres on the Hudson River, the carriage houses at Hudson Harbor are between 2,200 and 2,700 square feet and run between $1.2 million to $2.5 million.
Want to see the home for yourself? Take a tour. The American Dream Home is open for free tours from Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm; the last tour is November 11 and you must register in advance. Here are some of our favorite elements of the house.
Rethink Subway Tile
Look at the kitchen backsplash. It’s a skinny subway tile hung in a herringbone pattern. It was a clever way to take a classic element, like subway tile, and present it in a fresh way.
Color Happy
We loved how the small dining nook off the kitchen was separated from the kitchen with punchy color. Benjamin Moore’s “Autumn Cover” screams style while the red-orange shade of the hanging light casts a warm glow around the room.
Framed Books
In the upstairs sitting room, there was a unique art installation on the wall: long framed oversized book spines. Imagine that you blew up a bookshelf and then individually framed each book. It may be hard to see in this photo, but be sure and check it out if you can. It was incredibly unique.
Old Classics, Fresh Take
We loved the soft and cushy couch that looked like it was made of extra-wide corduroy in the living room. (Scroll up to the living room shot to see it.) Apparently, designer Susan Anthony covered the couch in shirred chenille with felted cashmere piping. Swoon.
Also, in the living room, a large flat screen TV was held in place by a large natural wood painter’s easel. Seriously cool!
Coolest Bathroom Ever
Taking a bath in this smart bathroom? Expect the water to cascade down from the ceiling. (See it coming down in the pic?) Use the toilet — and you’ll flush it by stepping on a blue light. In the shower, surround speakers will blast your iTunes list, while a temperature gauge allows you to set your steam shower setting. You can also select a light color to help influence your mood.
There’s lot more to see, so if you’re interested in design or just looking for home decorating ideas, take a look for yourself. Your jaw will drop at the view of the river. Ours did.
American Dream Home at Hudson Harbor, W. Main Street, Tarrytown
