The Kennedy estates: on the market and recently sold

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The Washington, DC area has been home to the Kennedy clan through the years, but perhaps signifying the end of an era, the last three grand DC area estates from JFK’s generation have recently been on the real estate block – two have sold, and one was recently listed.

First up – Hickory Hill, the McLean, Virginia home of Robert Kennedy; it was originally owned by JFK, who sold it to his brother in 1956. The real estate listing notes that this home was built in the late 1800s, and sits on almost 6 acres. It has 12 bedrooms, 10.5 bathrooms, and is only 12 minutes from Georgetown. The home was on the market for over 5 years; it originally listed for $25 million; it was later reduced to $16 million, then again to $12.5 million. The Washington Fine Homes website notes that it sold in January 2010 for $8.25 million; inside sources say that a technology mogul is the new owner. (I snapped the picture above, when on a trip to DC last year)

Cote de Texas did an extensive post on this home and the Robert Kennedy family. Zillow notes the home as 7,332 square feet, which of course is quite large; somehow, based on the exterior, I thought it would be even larger than that!

The family dining room, which has probably hosted its fair share of family dinners and other noteworthy events. If only the walls could talk!

The blue room, which serves as the home’s library; Joni of Cote de Texas notes that this is to the right of the front door.

The pink sitting room, which Joni notes is to the left of the entry. (All images via Washington Fine Homes)

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Next, the home of Eunice and Sargent Shriver (Eunice, who died in August on ‘09, was John Kennedy’s sister and founder of the Special Olympics). Built in 1986, the 16,000 square foot home in Potomac, Maryland sits on 7 acres, and has 10 bedrooms, 11 1/2 bathrooms. It was originally listed for $11.8 million, and sold recently for $7.81 million; an international humanitarian organization purchased the property. All images via Washington Fine Homes and the WSJ.

This hall reportedly spans the entire width of the house! This truly looks like a family home that has been decorated for living; the home is filled with the pictures and furniture that the family loves, and does not seem to be designed solely to be impressive or magazine worthy.

As this home was built in the 1980s, it does not have the aged feel of Hickory Hill, but the decor does feels a bit fresher. Clearly the Shrivers were big fans of art and framed items, no doubt all meaningful in some way or another. I am intrigued by the large painting on the wall to the left of the door – perhaps it is a modern portrait of Maria Shriver.

A large formal dining room – something that all of the Kennedy homes seem to have in common. Based on the size of the rug, and the extra chairs in the room, this table was probably expanded on a regular basis to accommodate larger groups.

A music room that is decorated a bit more casually, again filled with portraits and meaningful framed items. Note the presidential seal on the wall to the left of the door, and the framed items that are hung on the inside of the door.

The back view of the Shrivers’ home – truly bucolic. Interesting that there is very little hardscape other than a small flagstone patio; it reminds me of something from a movie based on a Jane Austen book. I can only imagine what it must cost to keep this lawn mowed!

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Finally, the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s house was recently listed for sale. The price is upon request, although I have heard speculation that the home is in the $8 million range. Senator Kennedy purchased this property in 1998 for $2.8 million; there are 6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, an indoor lap pool, and a total of 8900 square feet. All of this in one of the most prime urban areas of Washington DC, Kalorama.

Given that this is right in Washington DC, the home is not on a large piece of land like the other two. It bears a striking resemblance to another famous Washington DC home, doesn’t it? The real estate listing notes that the location is the best block of one of the best neighborhoods in DC.

The front door has a beautiful fanlight above.

The foyer is unusual, but probably very well suited for greeting the many guests that graced these halls during diplomatic dinners, fundraisers, and family gatherings. It looks like the floor is made out of stone. Image via listing.

Ted Kennedy’s home was featured in the November 1999 issue of Architectural Digest, one year after he moved in. The picture on the top is the real estate listing picture; on the bottom is the Architectural Digest picture (photo credit Bruce Katz). The room has remained remarkably unchanged in the 11 years since the photo shoot. The painting above the fireplace has changed, and the piano has been rotated (although, these things could have been changed just for the AD photo shoot). The AD article noted that this room functions beautifully when accommodating both large crowds and small groups. Interior design by Josepha Faley, ASID, of Chatsworth Design.

The room from a different angle.

A peek at the room beyond the living room, from the AD article – I love those jardinieres.

Here is a longer view of the same room, in the real estate listing. The painted floors are beautiful; it looks like there is a subtle nautical theme, with the compass and boat wheel.

The dining room as seen in the AD article.

The dining room on the real estate listing. The perspective of the real estate picture gives a sense for the size of this room. It is truly a dining room made for entertaining!

The library as seen in the AD article – a cozy little nook in the large home.

The library, as seen in the real estate listing. I preferred the chairs around the fire – seemed cozier!

Another view of the library, as seen in the real estate listing. Based on the view in the hall, this is at the top of the stairs of the entry hall.

A view of the master bedroom from the real estate listing looks as if time has stood still at this house! The AD article noted that the bed is by Julia Gray. I love the sculptural quality of the chandelier. Image via real estate listing.

Another perspective of the master bedroom shows that this is a room filled with natural light. Image via real estate listing.

The real estate listing has given us a peek into the kitchen of the home. Interesting cut out above the sink. I always love a bank of windows in a kitchen!

The house has an indoor lap pool – based on the tree line, I wonder if this is on the second floor?

As well as a lovely terrace off the back of the house.

Ted Kennedy’s home is listed by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty. For more information on this listing, please see the website for the listing - http://www.ttrsir.com/detail/Washington/KALORAMA/4212133. The contact information for the house and the realtors can be found on this page.

So, the end of an era in Washington DC – but based on insider information about who has purchased these homes, the beginning of a new era. I hope you enjoyed the tour - what a rare thing to get to see inside three Kennedy homes! Which home is your favorite? I would have to say that Ted Kennedy’s home appeals to me from a location perspective.

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New on the market in Maryland

Thank you to the Washington Post for including this post in your Blog Watch, December 18th, 2008!

House aficionados, here is a special treat for you. Last year, I did a post on Donald Kaufman paint, and it featured a room from the home of my sister. It is on Gibson Island, a private island situated off the Western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The home is amazing; it has a great floor plan, and is quite spacious, but not over-the-top big. Because of the great floor plan, every room in this house is truly used. However, what took this house from good to great was the amazing interior design done by James Beebe Hawes of Caldwell-Beebe. I can honestly say that seeing this house, and seeing how Hawes transformed it, completely changed the way I look at interior design. Of course, my sister had the advantage of being able to furnish this house from scratch, so there were no old awkward pieces of furniture to fit into the scheme.

The entry. The house was built in the 1920s, and the fireplace is in the middle of the living room (on the other side of this entry wall). Because it was not possible to change the configuration structurally, Hawes made the entry feel like a room with a window. The window is antique Swedish.

Here is the living room, and there is the fireplace on the other side of the entry. The room is carpeted in Pueblo sisal. The Victoria Hagan wing chair (upholstered in Rogers and Goffigon fabric) is a beautiful focal point, and quite comfortable too. The John Saladino 3 leg table is a favorite of mine. The pine bookcase along the wall is antique Swedish. According to my sister, the walls are painted in Donald Kaufman No. 55

The living room serves a dual purpose, as it has the dining table in it as well. The dining table is made by New Classics, and has a custom nautical design on the top. The chairs, also by New Classics, are slipcovered in duck cloth to bring down the formality of the space. The chandelier is by Mike Reid Weeks, and is no longer made, unfortunately!

The sunporch is one of my favorite rooms. It is fully enclosed, and the light streams in, making the space sunny and bright. The floors are bluestone, and have radiant heat. None of the pictures on the listing show the lovely bay view, unfortunately.


The other side of the sunroom. The French doors leading out to the lawn are on the left, and they lead directly to the bay. The walls are painted in Donald Kaufman No. 29.

The family room is casual and slightly nautical in theme, but not over the top. I love how the pillows and the art work so well together.

The master bedroom has a custom Dessin Fournir bed. The walls are painted in Donald Kaufman No. 6.

The guest bedroom has the Donald Kaufman paint that I raved about. According to my sister's records, the color is DK No. 29 (if you like this color, sample pots are available for purchase at The Color Factory in New Jersey). It truly changes colors throughout the day, based on the sunlight. I think this is as close to the color of seaglass as you can get!

Another view of the guest room. Much of the furniture in this room was purchased at Tone on Tone, a Swedish antique store in Bethesda, Maryland. The view out the window is of the Chesapeake Bay. No doubt, this is the prettiest guest room I have ever seen.

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New on the market in Atlanta

A house came on the market this week in Atlanta, and it is a beauty. Built in 1920, it is a classic Tudor design, but the interior has been completely remodelled and updated. I have always admired the look of the Tudor style, and gravitate to Tudor/gothic motifs such as quatrefoils, arches with points, heavy fireplaces. A Tudor house in combination with a beautiful interior is a homerun in my eyes!

This home sits on one of the most prestigious streets in Atlanta.

Notice the beautiful detail in the stonework, the two lanterns flanking the front door, and the potted shrubs.

The entry has a beautiful staircase and sconces, and look at the shape of the opening to the living room - I love that shape, and it is so appropriate for a Tudor house.

The dining room. The painting is by Haidee Becker, who is represented by Tew Galleries in Atlanta.

The living room - there is that sisal that is so popular these days, with a rug layered on top.

I love the color of the cabinets in the kitchen - a dark gray.

The family room. I am unclear whether this adjoins the kitchen, but it looks like a nice bright room, and overlooks the back yard.

Another view of the family room.

The upstairs hall has a lantern - very appropriate given my last post on lanterns!

Isn't this bedroom beautiful? It suits my taste perfectly, as I love light and airy cream/white/soft blue bedrooms. The gray painted chest is the perfect touch.

Here is the sitting room to the master.

In my mind, I imagine that this is a very sophisticated teenager's room. The details are great - the cutout of the cornice, the contemporary mirror. I am sure this picture was photoshopped, but it seems to be so light and bright.

One of the upstairs bathrooms. Isn't this an interesting arrangement of mirrors? I like it.

This room is noted as the sunroom. I can't tell whether it is upstairs or downstairs.

The walk-out terrace off the family room overlooks the pool.

Here is a view of the house from the back. I love how the terrace has steps down to the pool.

This home even has a guest house, which looks like it is used as a teen hangout.

Here is the inside of the guesthouse. I love the quatrefoil motif on the floor.

All this can be yours for $3.2 million! Actually, this is a very good price for a renovated house in the heart of Buckhead. If anyone knows the name of the designer who worked on this house, please let us know. It is quite a beautiful home, in large part because of the gracious design inside.