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We tracked down the gazebo that Governor Holley gave to his wife in 1859! As you can see in first two photos, from the 1860s, formal gardens were created around it. It was sold in the tag sale before we bought the house, but Peggy O'Brien connected us with the buyers who kindly allowed us to buy it back. Rob, Matt, Bill and Larry worked yesterday to piece the parts together, like a puzzle. Today, Matt cut out diamond shapes in a new plank to match the old, which was rotted. The gazebo is only halfway up but already looks magical.  Ellen and Larry designed the garden. After plot was dug and leveled, Larry worked the soil. (photo credit: Ellen Burcroff)  He plotted out garden paths with rolls of black plastic. (photo credit: Ellen Burcroff)  And brought in organic soil from McEnroe's.  Rob dug out deep trench for fencing. (photo credit: Ellen Burcroff)  Trench was backfilled. (photo credit: Ellen Burcroff)  6 foot high cedar post fencing was added, to deer-proof. (photo credit: Ellen Burcroff)  Fencing went two feet down to make garden rabbit-proof.  Rob, Matt and Bill helped Larry finish the job. (photo credit: Ellen Burcroff.)  To maximize plant productivity, not to mention aesthetics, Matt designed trellises and cages that fold flat for winter.  Showing garden off to admiring friends.  And family.  Harvest! (basket credit: Ellen Burcroff) Donald and Rob were born on the same day, a few (ahem) years apart. We celebrate their birthday with cake in the almost-done kitchen. 
We're hoping that our feline family member will be enough to discourage resident mice. Eliza showed up on our doorstep in Amenia on Thanksgiving, 1999 and has been with us ever since. This is her first visit to Holleywood. We don't let her inside, as we're afraid she'll get lost and we'd have to drive back to New York without her.  from L to R: Frank Garretson (architect), Eliza Ross (mousecatcher), Rob Anderson (contractor) We mean to screen in the west porch, with old fashioned wood screens. I was born in the South, to which I attribute a lingering affinity for screened porches and davenports.  To put screen frames inside or outside pillars? That is the question.  #1 Start with wood from old factory. Mill it yourself.  #2 Assemble tools they don't sell at Home Depot.  3. Forget instructions. Use your instinct. And little slips of paper to hold alignments.  4. Add soapstone counters over two inches thick. Commission a few burly guys to help you lug them into your kitchen.  5. Dovetail drawers instead of nailing them.  6. Oil them with three coats of non-toxic stain.  7. Add appliances.  8. Enjoy the fact that you'll never, ever have to renovate a kitchen again. Photo credit: Cynthia Hochswender It's a testament to dedication of the contractors (who don't take on more than one job at a time) and the work of their team of craftsmen and artisans that owners are still happy this far along on a job. 
Donald in kitchen doorway. Jason Hanley, head painter, looking down from a bedroom.
Rob is making good progress on cabinets of Douglas fir he milled on site. Tile splash in the kitchen doesn't cut off where the stove will be, it extends all the way down to the floor. Tiles aren't repro, they are original subway tiles, another gem acquired from Demolition Depot. Vintage subway tiles have a special gleam from a glaze that can't be achieved today. Why? It's illegal. Original glaze was made using arsenic. Bon appetit!   Rob is not only a superb contractor, he's a master carpenter. He set up shop on a back porch to make cabinetry for kitchen and breakfast room out of vintage Douglas fir salvaged from an airplane factory.   Rob figures placement of billiard lights over kitchen island. |
who we areWe are a couple of Upper West Siders from NYC who never set out to buy an old mansion in Connecticut. But the moment we walked through its massive front door, we were smitten. The info on this site is earnestly cobbled from a variety of sources, including the web. Please let us know if we've gotten something wrong, or if there's a story about Holleywood you'd like to share. forewords
December 2021
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