[From the Fall 2023 Showcase of Homes Magazine]
Showcase of Homes…one of my favorite Saratoga events of the year! I love home construction and walking through these spectacularly crafted estates just gets my goose bumps a bumpin’! And to top it all off, this year I was invited to join the planning committee for the Showcase of Homes…a true honor to be a part of this autumnal tradition! As I hunted for this year’s Fall items, I did note that some of them just happen to be in a few of the Showcase homes, so…I will be sure to direct you where to find these treasures so you can see them first hand in an actual setting, inspiring you further for your next home project… the Honey-Do list grows!
Now, where else would I start but at The Furniture House! You won’t be able to resist this 7173 Renovation Recliner on display at the DeGraff-Bloom house located at 27 Winterbury Lane in Stillwater! With impressive burled wood sides, the tan burnished leather sits atop a maple finish accented with Truscan “R” nail heads. It’s streamline design allows the chair to sit only 17” away from the wall while still offering 67” of pure relaxation when fully extended. I’d say it’s the perfect seat for fall football, wouldn’t you?
The Furniture House
1254 NY-9P, Saratoga Springs
TheFurnitureHouseNY.com | 518-587-9865
And as I stroll the streets of Downtown Saratoga, I had to stop in at Compliments to the Chef to see what owner, John Reardon, had for whipping up delicious Fall feasts! I quickly focused in on his collection of pasta making goodies. As someone who lives with celiacs, I make all my own meals from scratch, and have tried my hand at pasta as well. This Marcato Atlas 150 is my go-to, turning out pasta sheets for cutting into ravioli, hand-crafted fettuccini and so much more. It’s ease of use makes it fun for the whole family to join in and roll out the merriment of a homemade pasta dinner! Don’t worry, it includes recipes for the perfect Italian pasta! And where would we be without the NORPRO Pasta Drying Rack to hang all those luscious laces of pasta until dinner time or for storing for future use? Now, for those raviolis; pick up a few of the Fante’s Grandpa Dante’s Classic Ravioli Forms, allowing you to craft, fill and seal up to twelve 2” square ravioli’s at once! If you prefer to cut your dough and fold, then check out Fante’s Grandma Rina’s Ravioli 2 ½” Round Stamps or 2 ¾” Square Stamps. With the decorative edge, these cutters could double for cookie cutters as well!...Bon Appetit!
Compliments to the Chef
33 Railroad Plce, Saratoga Springs
SaratogaChef.com | 518-226-4477
For all my coffee, beer or soup lovers out there, the Dark Horse Mercantile offers this classy Hand-crafted Mug with layers of glaze that beckons you to sit and sip. Its authentic, rustic feel makes your senses recline to cooler days while The Dark Horse emblem always reminds us of our Saratoga seasons that are on their way! Now I admit, I’m a bit of a frame collector. When I spotted this Stitched Leather and Solid Brass Frame, I knew I had to brag about it! Perfect for family photos from the track, favorite horses as they crossed the finish line or adored family pets. Several sizes are available to mix and match…be sure to stop in and feel the genuine craftsmanship made perfect for each special moment. One last item…I have such a hard time choosing! Pair your frames with this Woven Leather Ice Bucket to complete your Fall bar. The stainless steel, removeable liner makes it convenient to fill while the woven leather handled top with brass strappings and tongs finish the allure of this truly Saratoga bar addition. And note, there are coordinating frames as well! So many good finds in this shop…get over there and peak for yourself!
Dark Horse Mercantile
445 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
ImpressionsSaratoga.com | 518-587-0689
At their sister store, Impressions of Saratoga, I immediately spotted their Bourbon Raceday Candle crafted from soy wax. The scent combines bourbon, tobacco & vanilla to arouse the senses of Saratoga racing days gone by. Always a wonderful gift for visitors or just to bring in that all-things Saratoga racing scent to your home. For art lovers, be sure to seek out one of our own Saratoga Spring’s artists, Heather Lacoppola and her Paintings On Recycled Wood Panels. Ingenious in her pursuit of crafting artwork on alternative mediums, her pieces take on the architecture of their structure. These tall door panels come back to life with slender jockey motifs amid rustic backgrounds of old. Heather’s work can also be found on textiles such as Tea Towels showcasing a combination of her paintings. For my peeps who miss an old-fashioned map, you can treasure this Saratoga Springs Wood Relief Map crafted on pine and made in South Carolina! Set on a white background, the map is subtly carved into the surface offering visual details as well as tactile. Search out your favorite street or try to locate your home’s address for fun! It’s available in three different sizes, making the purchase even more effortless for any space!
Impressions of Saratoga
368 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
ImpressionsSaratoga.com | 518-587-0666
Silverwood Home & Gallery has been well known for offering classic American style and regional vernacular design. They also have a full line of furniture, including this luxurious Green Velvet Madeline Sofa by Rowe Furniture. With racks of fabrics and leathers to choose from, your options are endless. And don’t forget, many of the fabrics are “Kid Proof” performance. Need a different size? No worries, this sofa is also offered in a loveseat or sectional…so Mom…what are you waiting for?
Silverwood Home & Gallery
398 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
SilverwoodGalleries.com | 518-583-3600
As we head into cooler weather, a beautiful area rug always brings warmth into a home. At Jacobsen Rugs, located at the Old Fire House, their showroom is stocked with marvelous hand knotted oriental rugs that take your breath away. For instance, this Hunting Rug features a full array of colors, from deep salmon, ochre, sky blues and hints of eggplant. The varying shades of black perfectly ground this piece to any space. I could look at this rug over and over again, just imagining the “hunting” elements present; I see birds in flight, what might you imagine? And the options and sizes go on from there! Stop into appreciate the one-of-a-kind craftsmanship; who knows, you may just walk out with a find after “hunting!”
Jacobsen’s Rugs
543 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
JacobsenRugs.com | 518-583-2044
I love the shops along Rt 9 heading toward Malta. Finishing Touches always brings in delightful items to complete your homes décor. With Fall, those firepits can get heated up and who doesn’t like a good Horse Silhouette Charcuterie Board decked out with meats, cheeses and even some of FT’s Chocolate Moonshine Co. chocolates to nibble on with a favorite beverage? Choose from a variety of woods including walnut and oak. Continue your Saratoga theme with this 40” x 36” “Apple of My Eye” Framed Print showcased in a simple satin black frame with white linen liner. The perfect size for a large entry or over the fireplace! Peter Kreeft once said, “Love gives you eyes,” an ideal reminder to always see the best of those around you. And to warm your lap on cool Fall evenings, wrap yourself in this Faux Fur Blanket of fine black & white “hairs” that resemble a feather from afar but without the quill! They also have an option in warm tones of mocha which richly reflects the plume of a pheasant! Either way, this luscious swathe, with a soft microsuede reverse side, will add a touch of nature to any room.
Finishing Touches Home Decor
450 E High Street, Ballston Spa
FinishingTouchesStore.com | 518-584-1490
Just down the road, Accents at Allerdice has just loaded up their shop for everything Fall! Harvest season is definitely in abundance here with their Crocheted Pumpkins in various sizes, colors and stiches. Make a fun arrangement on your dining table for a centerpiece, line them on the fireplace mantel with Fall family pics between or have fun placing them on a guest bed in front of a mound of throw pillows to greet friends and usher in your leaf peeping excursion for the weekend! To further prepare for visitors, try propping this adorable Seated Gnome on a pile of neatly folded Plaid Cloth Napkins. He’s sure to make your friends chuckle with a Wooden Sign in tow that echoes “I’m Here For The Boos,” wrapping up the Halloween celebrations to boot! Stop in and see all the varieties available to make your Fall travelers feel right at home!
Accents at Allerdice
2570 U.S. 9, Malta
Allerdice.com | 518-899-6222
Onto appliances and the fast-paced industry of change…wider refrigerators have become the trend as many renovations and new builds are now incorporating true counter depth units into the design to maximize space yet maintain an abundance of interior cubit feet. At Earl B. Feiden’s, be sure to ask about the new Thermador 48” Freedom® Built-in French Door Bottom Freezer in Stainless Steel, with Masterpiece® Handles or Panel Ready option, offering a wide refrigeration space while keeping your freezer space well organized. The Elevated Dual Ice Maker with signature Diamond Ice, plus all-new cocktail-sized ice in a unique geometric shape, surely adds a je ne sais quoi to your entertaining experience! The ThermaFlex™ Drawer can be adjusted to meet changing needs from freezer, soft freezer, refrigerator, and beverages to meat & fish, deli & cheeses, all way to dessert items like cheesecake! Wi-Fi connectivity offers access to built-in cameras for on-the-spot refrigerator inventory, temperature settings and notifications if the door is left open. Similarly, Thermador has introduced the 36-INCH LIBERTY® Induction CooktopPRO Harmony® Range Professional Series with a black finish cooktop surface. With three large cooking zones, the flexibility is endless starting with HeatShift® which is power control on the move. To increase the power level, move the cookware towards you. To decrease the power level, move the cookware away from you…it’s as simple as that…no buttons to push or controls to locate, just move your pan! MoveMode® allows you to move your pan to another cooking zone and the cooktop setting moves with it! Perfect for busy home chefs! Yet another feature is the PowerBoost® which allows you to increase the heating power by up to 50% to bring soups, stocks and water to boil more quickly. And with three…yes three, Full Access® Telescopic Racks within the oven, your ability to test or retrieve your favorite dishes is made all the easier! The features are endless, be sure to stop into Earl B. Feiden’s at either Clifton Park or Latham for more information.
Earl B. Feiden Appliance
1771 U.S. 9, Clifton Park | 518-383-2215
785 U.S. 9, Latham | 518-785-8555
EarlBFeiden.com
Microwaves also play a large part in cooking and have become more versatile in their capabilities to prepare food in different disciplines. You’ll find this Frigidaire Professional 2-In-1 Over-The-Range Convection Microwave, sourced at Marcella’s Appliance, at the BDC Group condo located at 4 Footpath Way in Lake George. More than a microwave, it also doubles as a convection oven with PowerSense cooking technology that automatically senses ideal time and power levels. The PowerBright LED lights illuminates your cooking surface with clear LED lighting while the PowerPlus® 4-Speed Fan offers 4 levels of ventilation for the cooktop below, up to 400 CFMs. This compact workhorse can conjure up a full meal or simply warm leftovers, all beautifully displayed in a sleek stainless steel frame with professional handle.
And with cooking, comes cleaning! Located within the island of the BDC Group condo, the Frigidaire Professional 24" Built-In Dishwasher with EvenDry™ System is a must have for a busy home. Showcasing the SpacePro Organization System, the 3rd rack offers easy access with a tray for small cooking utensils; the second rack adjusts in height for larger pots and pans to easily be washed from the lower rack amid dishes and dining silverware which neatly stacks in a removeable basket. Best of all, the PrecisionPro Wash Zones™ target hard-to-reach spots on your pots and dishes for a powerful clean in as fast as 30-minutes!
Marcella's Appliance
15 Park Avenue, Clifton Park
MarcellasAppliance.com | 518-952-7700
And what would a Showcase home be without beautiful stone? Within the DSG Construction & Remodeling home located at 1181 Hunt Lane Rd North in Lake Luzerne, they installed Taupe White Granite in the kitchen from Granite & Marble Works. I know, the appellation seems quite uninspiring, but don’t judge a stone by its name! Its deep mix of natural tones include green beige, taupe, creamy whites, black and an occasional iron deposit in the veining. A perfect selection to coordinate with woods and a multitude of cabinet finishes. Be sure to stop at the DSG house to see how they have incorporated this stone into their Showcase of Homes property. Over at the Degraff-Bloom home located at Luthers Woods, 27 Woodberry Lane in Mechanicville, be sure to find this celestial Leathered Kosmus Granite centerstage as the fireplace surround! Remarkable in person, with the glitter of mica dancing about a milky way of black, grey, brown and taupe, this homeowner will forever gaze into its mysterious spirals finding endless “stars” to capture their imagination. Natural stone on any surface can add a layer of mystique…finding new details each time you contemplate its unique palette of movement, minerals and majesty!
Granite & Marble Works
8 Commerce Park Drive, Wilton
GraniteAndMarbleworks.com | 518-584-2800
I hope I’ve inspired you to peruse the Showcase of Homes and take some time to wander our local shops for all your Fall décor needs. If you spot me at the Showcase, be sure to say “Hi,” I love to hear how my readers incorporate these picks into their own homes! You never know…you may just inspire me with YOUR creativity!
Until next time my friends,
Colleen Coleman of CMC Design Studio LLC
Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer
Certified Aging in Place
True Color Expert
@cmcdesignstudiollc
“Creating Environments for Life”TM