2008 Annual Tour Photos:38th Annual Prospect Lefferts Gardens
Date/Time: Sunday, June 1, 2008 — 12 Noon to 5 PM |
About homes being featured on the
PROSPECT LEFFERTS GARDENS 2008 HOUSE GARDEN TOUR . . .
- A ninety–nine year old three–story neo–Renaissance limestone town house that has undergone a major top–to–bottom 21st–century renovation transforming it into an oasis of open space and light with user–friendly access to all modern day conveniences.
- An "in–progress" 1909 limestone home showcases an artist's own fabulous creative clay sculptures along with a diverse and dramatic collection of artifacts, art and eclectic furnishings. The peaceful back garden, a room unto itself, boasts flowering wisteria overhead.
- Heavily damaged by fire, water and smoke then left uninhabited for five years, this 1921 three–story brick home has been brought back to life through an impeccable inside and out renovation. Surprising amenities await view–a dazzling private roof deck crafted of Brazilian red mahogany accented by stained–glass panels; a game room with billiard table and wine bar and a fabulous built–in dressing room.
- A circa 1900 Victorian two–family wood–frame house with porch, reminiscent of a tidy upstate farm house, boasts an extra–deep backyard with a glorious sixty–foot–tall oak tree. A sister and brother duo has comfortably configured it into a charming one–bedroom apartment and an ingenious double duplex. Most of the renovation work was self–done while their startling artwork was largely created by family friends.
- The complete makeover of a one–bedroom rental planned and accomplished by an aspiring designer. Housed in a stately 1925 six–story apartment building, every inch of its 550 square–feet has been utilized to best advantage. One's attention is constantly drawn to the fabulous views of Prospect Park; building materials reflect the earth–tones found within the park.
- An elegant limestone townhouse bordering Prospect Park offers fine examples of Italianate embellishments and rich over–the–top moldings. Its country kitchen overlooks a secluded stone patio and wooden deck shaded by a giant eighty–year–old sycamore tree; roses thrive on an arched trellis.
- Capped by an unusual flat, polygonal Spanish–tile roof and part of a unified white streetscape with visual grandeur, this soon–to–be century old limestone is the perfect setting for stunning art work and furnishings created by its owners. Original French doors and rear window are ornamented with exquisite matching leaded–glass; a sandstone fireplace boasts carved Grecian elements.
- A post World War I two–story semi–detached brick town house modernized in a manner that relied on eco–friendly practices and minimized costs. A listing of "Eco–conscious Resources" will be available.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE:
- Restoration/Renovation Allies–Interested in rejuvenating your own living space? Gather fresh ideas by meeting with the homeowners and two resident resources: Ryan James of Ryan James Design, and Jennifer and Pall Walton of Walton Garden Design, who have designed and installed gardens in PLG and other neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan.
- Join us for refreshments in a lovely flowering rose garden and downstairs in "The Flatbush Room"–A basement "speakeasy" homage to 1950s high kitsch.
- Musical Interludes: 1 PM to 4 PM: World–renowned pianist/composer and neighborhood resident Dan Tepfer will perform live for your listening pleasure. Tepfer's eclectic approach includes classical music and jazz. He tours internationally as leader of his trio and has released a debut CD, Before the Storm, which was voted one of the ten best albums of 2005 by Cadence Magazine. Tepfer was awarded both the first prize and the audience prize at the 2006 Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition and was most recently named the 2007 Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz of the American Pianists Association.
- 1 PM to 1:30 PM: Enjoy hearing the innovative music of a group of four talented neighborhood youths who write and perform their own pieces: Matteo Heilbrun, drums and lead vocals; Jamie Mace, lead guitar; Zach Lewellyn, bass guitar; and Peter Frisch, keyboard. Their music is rock, reflecting sounds from the 60s onward, with a particular 90s influence, perhaps, Green Day, or Nirvana. The group has played together for three years and all members are focused on becoming accomplished musicians in the years to come.
- PLG Arts Group Show: View the work of local artists at K–Dog & Dunebuggy, 43 Lincoln Road (between Ocean and Flatbush Avenues).