The Luxury Space
DECEMBER 2022 ISSUE
A few words from Tony Cutugno
“To me, food is as much about the moment, the occasion, the location, and the company, as it is about taste.”
— Heston Blumenthal, OBE, British chef, James Beard winner
Holiday entertaining is the quintessential moveable feast and, as Chef Blumenthal rightly points out, location is key to magnifying the merriment and thoroughly enjoying food and drink. (Trust him: he once cooked for the Queen at Windsor Castle). Of course, family and friends no longer expect celebratory meals to be confined to the dining room. Arriving guests are often greeted with an aperitif in the entrance hall, a savory starter or two in the kitchen while the host puts finishing touches on the feast, antipasto and main meal in the dining room, and, finally, dessert and espresso in the library. On a winter’s night, nothing amplifies the experience like a cozy fire. The rooms of the Private Brokerage properties featured on these pages—each with a stunning fireplace—seem designed to stimulate the senses, certainly the appetite. The recipes hail from Occasions to Celebrate:
Cooking and Entertaining with Style the latest book by American chef Alex Hitz, whom the Wall Street Journal appropriately dubbed “the very best host in the world.” It seemed to me the one and only choice for our December newsletter. Hitz’s own mantra, as well as my own, can be summed up with a quote he includes by Oscar Wilde: “I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied by the best.”
I hope you might enjoy a little taste of these special Private Brokerage properties while imagining yourself hosting your next “best” party in them.
On the cover: 539 Killearn Road, Millbrook, NY listed by Marc Maclean
eat
Guests
your
to be so
OFFERED AT CONTACT $6,950,000 ANGELA KESSEL | M. 914.841.1919 Four Ashfields 4 Ashfields Lane | Armonk, NY BEDROOMS 8 BATHROOMS 11.2 SQ FT 12,275 ACRES 10.06
“People who love to
are always the best people.” -
Julia Child
naturally gravitate toward
most spacious living spaces, which is why this grand colonial’s great room was designed
welcoming. High ceilings, hardwood floors, and a contemporary natural stone hearth. Inspired by Alex Hitz’s Occasions to Celebrate , serve espresso and Super-Decadent Butterscotch Bourbon Blondies around the fire and indulge!
“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” - Ruth Reichl You’ll feel forever young in this casually luxurious 1908 Colonial Shingle estate. Built the year Thomas Edison proclaimed :“Anything is possible!”, the warm character of the classic wood structure exudes American confidence. As does the emerald green 4-bedroom converted Barn: a particular favorite with young families. Treat them to the late, great Betsy Bloomingdale’s Peanut Butter and Bacon Rounds! OFFERED AT CONTACT $6,900,000 MARTHA VIOLANTE | M. 914.643.4691 Squirrel Hill 577 Harris Road | Bedford Hills, NY BEDROOMS 5 BATHROOMS 6.2 SQ FT 5,520 ACRES 12.39
is too short to be surrounding by people without joy.” - Susan Fales-Hill Living at Killearn Farm, you’ll never worry if more guests arrive than expected. The party never ends inside this splendid 7-bedroom 1832 Greek Revival, with sprawling kitchen and two adjacent dining rooms that spill out onto wide terrace with stone grotto, fireplace and covered porch with sweeping vistas of the countryside. Enhance the dolce vita experience serving up Sophie’s Veal Saltimbocca. OFFERED AT CONTACT $6,100,000 MARC MACLEAN | M. 917.922.4131 Killearn 539 Killearn Road | Millbrook, NY BEDROOMS 7 BATHROOMS 6.1 SQ FT 10,108 ACRES 68.26
“Life
is our common ground, an universal experience.” - James Beard When is an entrance hall like an appetizer? When guests enter your Pietro Cigognani-designed modern farmstead and are greeted with radiant-heat stone floors and ceilings high enough to accommodate monumental pieces of modern art. Offering them a flute of Veuve Clicquot and perhaps mini Croque Monsieurs (the French version of ham & cheese cut into petit squares) will seal the deal! OFFERED AT CONTACT $5,995,000 OLIVER BROWN | M. 917.680.8933 Kennel Road 173 Kennel Road | Amenia, NY BEDROOMS 4 BATHROOMS 4.1 SQ FT 4,551 ACRES 172.71
“Food
History buffs—and Hamilton fans--- swoon over this glorious Georgian Manor, one of very few built before the Revolutionary War. This impeccably restored brick mansion hosted the likes of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr and British General Burgoyne (as a POW!). Brush up on your history in front of an original hearth while sampling Deeda Blair’s Oven-Baked Potato Chips with Crème Fraiche and Caviar.
“Perfection is lots of little things done well.” - Fernand Point
OFFERED AT CONTACT $2,695,000 ANDREW GATES | M. 917.755.2640
House 24 Broad Street | Kinderhook,
BEDROOMS 6 BATHROOMS 3.1 SQ FT 5,796 ACRES 6.8
Burgoyne
NY
always cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.” - W. C. Fields
OFFERED AT CONTACT $1,000,000 JOSEPH BRIGGS | M. 917.975.9926 Ralph Rapson Mid-Century 8711 Miller Hill Road | Averill Park, NY BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 3 SQ FT 2,968 ACRES 18.9
“I
Nothing is more emblematic of casual luxe living than a bright, airy open kitchen: it allows hosts to cook and socialize while also creating a seamless flow on the ground floor. Master Modernist architect Ralph Rapson had entertaining in mind when he created this mid-century gem near Saratoga. Consider Crowd-Pleasing Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli, the ultimate informal meal to enjoy at the quartz and wood counter.
PRIVATE BROKERAGE BOOKSHELF
"Occasions to Celebrate: Cooking and Entertaining with Style"
by Alex Hitz
The renowned chef and master host presents his second Rizzoli cookbook: a collection of more than 100 recipes inspired by traditional Southern fare and French culinary flair, with an emphasis on seasonal fresh-from-the-market ingredients that are perfect for entertaining. Alex Hitz shares a spectacular array of classic yet contemporary seasonal comfort dishes—from hors d’oeuvres, soups, salads, sauces, main dishes, and sides to desserts. He has a penchant for crowd-pleasers, including spiced pecans, gazpacho, mini crab cakes with mango chutney, cucumber and mint salad, mustard-crusted rack of lamb, tomatoes Provençale, key lime mousse, and lemon pecan shortbread cookies. Hitz imparts cooking, serving, and entertaining secrets to ensure success for the amateur or experienced home cook alike, champions elegance and simplicity, and boldly encourages all who read and cook to celebrate with delicious food. Hitz’s message is clear: whether it’s a holiday or just another Tuesday, make every day a special occasion. This stylish tome is replete with impeccable dishes, seasoning secrets, and table-setting and seating advice—as well as foolproof menus for creating flawless occasions to share with family and friends.
ANTHONY P. CUTUGNO
Senior Vice President Director of Private Brokerage O. 914 234 0308 M. 914.582.7789
ACutugno@HoulihanLawrence.com @apcutugno359 | @hlprivatebrokerage
