A Sneak Peek Inside the West Hartford Home Chosen as Junior League Decorator Show House
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126 Waterside Ln., West Hartford, CT, has been chosen as the 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A Waterside Lane home, which affords breathtaking views of Wood Pond or Woodridge Lake from nearly every window, has been chosen as the Junior League of Hartford’s 2018 Decorator Show House.
Two-story foyer of the 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
The 7,200 square foot waterfront estate, which sits on 2.45 acres nestled between Wood Pond and Woodridge Lake in West Hartford, is striking even stripped of most of its furnishings and on a gray winter day when views of the lake are partially shrouded in fog.
Beginning in March, the interior and grounds of 126 Waterside Ln. will undergo a dramatic transformation, as a bevy of the area’s top interior designers, decorators, and landscape architects get to work, eager to show off their best work for the Junior League of Hartford’s major triennial fundraiser.
Meghan Guerrera, who is co-chairing this year’s Show House with Lissa Johnson, said that finding a house to use for the event is a challenge and involves looking at a large number of possible homes. “It’s tough to have one that qualifies,” Guerrera said. The house needs to be at least 5,000 square feet with enough distinct spaces to assign to the designers who volunteer for the opportunity to showcase their creative talents. Ample parking is also important.
“This style of home is definitely a departure for us,” said Guerrera. Most of the previous homes have been much older, with the history of the home and architect part of the allure.
The setting for this year’s home, and the water views from nearly ever window, however, make up for any lack of history.
Several of the home’s most impressive spaces include the two-story tiled foyer with a medallion on the ceiling, a sprawling Mexican-tiled kitchen, a semi-circular sunroom with a sweeping view of the lake (a bathtub off the master bathroom occupies the second story’s semi-circular room), a master suite with built-ins and a separate dressing area, and a basement that includes a tiered theater, wine cellar, and two exercise rooms. There are five fireplaces.
The exterior features a multi-level deck, gardens, and pool, with breathtaking views of Wood Pond.
The current owner of 126 Waterside Ln., Deborah Muntz, has owned the house since 2002, and now that her three children are grown she has downsized but still lives in the Wood Pond area. Previous owners of the property, which was built in 1985, include author and business owner Kevin Dowd and law professor Nicholas Georgakopoulos.
The home is “actively for sale,” Guerrera said.
While the decorators and designers won’t be making structural changes, they are permitted to paint or add wall covering, and change fixtures. Everything is removed once the Show House has ended, unless the owner negotiates directly with the designer. “They are obligated to return the home to a neutral state unless otherwise agreed,” Guerrera said.
Designer choice day was held last week, and each potential participant can submit up to three proposals for spaces they would like to design. The selections will be announced on March 12, and work will begin on March 19.
A “first look” will be held on March 10 and 11, allowing the public the chance to have a “before” look prior to the transformation. The Show House officially opens for tours on April 27, and tours will be offered through May 20 on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Junior League will hold a Derby Party at the home on May 5.
Show House is a fundraiser for the Junior League of Hartford. Funds are raised through ticket sales and sponsorships. Guests can also shop for gift items at a boutique, and many of the designer furnishings are also offered for sale.
A variety of tickets options are available and can be found by clicking here. Contact [email protected] for more details as well as group pricing. For more information about the Junior League of Hartford, visit their website.
To see even more of 126 Waterside Ln., a unique virtual reality experience prepared for realtor Meg Goodrich of William Raveis Real Estate is available on the view360properties.com website.
This is the Junior League of Hartford’s 14th Show House. The last one was held in 2015, at 64 Orchard Rd., West Hartford.
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One of the five fireplaces at 126 Waterside Ln. is in the kitchen. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kitchen eating area. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kitchen. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Kitchen. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
View of Wood Pond. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
View of Wood Pond from the window of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Fog on Wood Pond viewed from the deck. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The deck of 126 Waterside Ln. overlooks the yard, pool area, and Wood Pond. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Dining room of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The semi-circular sunroom overlooks Wood Pond and the private pool. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Living room of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A medallion graces the ceiling of the two-story foyer of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Paneling and built-in bookshelves line the walls of the den at 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Entryway of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Master bedroom. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Delft tiles line the fireplace in the master bedroom of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Built-ins in the master bedroom of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
View from master bedroom deck. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Dressing room off master bedroom. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Double sink in master bathroom of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The master bathroom of 126 Waterside Ln. features a ‘tub with a view.’ 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
One of the bedrooms at 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
View from bonus room. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A ‘bonus room’ on the second floor. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A second staircase at 126 Waterside Ln. leads to the kitchen. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Main staircase of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A room off the kitchen has served as a changing room for the pool and could also be a playroom or office. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A multi-level theater room in the basement of 126 Waterside Ln. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
A basement room of 126 Waterside Ln. served as a wrestling practice area for the homeowner’s son. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
One of two fitness spaces in the basement of 12 Waterside Ln., the 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
One of two fitness spaces in the basement of 126 Waterside Ln., the 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Powder room. 2018 Junior League of Hartford Decorator Show House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
[…] sprawling waterfront estate at 126 Waterside Lane in West Hartford made a striking statement in its …, despite wall coverings and fixtures that were outdated and rooms that were mostly bare of […]