Martha Stewart

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

In 1991, the poster woman of American homelife Martha Stewart purchased an East Hamptons residence for $1.7 million. The Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia founder stated that, “It was the oldest house on the block and a total wreck,” yet “[she] decided [she] had to have it.” Over the years, the property would be renovated and become her longtime vacation home. However, she is now bidding farewell to the humble abode. While the transaction is an off-market deal, it is reported that the initial asking price was listed at $8.4 million but was finalized at a whopping $16.5 million. At nearly double the asking price, Stewart has made a massive profit and left her former residence to Kenneth Lerer, the former chairman of BuzzFeed and co-founder of the Huffington Post, and his wife, interior designer Katherine Sailer.

Built in 1873, the shingled cottage has been restored and renovated into a more contemporary space while maintaining its initial charm. Stewart, well known for her design skills, claims “it’s an old-fashioned house, but it has a clean, pristine vibe.” Although not much is known regarding the interior layout of the home, decorative elements include unique pieces acquired from various yard sales and consignment stores. With its original paneling and built-ins, the lovely vacation home features a glass-enclosed porch with teal-blue Mexican cement tiling which acts as dining area. Additionally, the space boasts newly leaded glass windows and plentiful wainscoting. Notable distinctive features consist of a marble vanity in the primary bathroom, a pink and yellow Venetian-glass chandelier in the formal dining room, and a collection of antique taxidermized fish throughout the residence.

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Down a private lane in the Hook Pond estate area in the heart of East Hampton village is a new home that masterfully blends a Hamptons traditional with modern sensibilities. Designed and built by Abstract Builders, LLC, the 10,000 sq ft ( on 3 levels) home is perfectly sited on this 1.6-acre lot to take full advantage of the sweeping upper floor views of Hook Pond and the Atlantic Ocean. Open and light-filled interiors are enhanced by white oak floors and the expansive use of glass-including panoramic glass sliding doors imported from Greece-allowing for seamless transitions between indoors and out. The main entrance to the home is through a sleek industrial, steel-and-glass wall that opens to a double-height entry with an adjoining oak-paneled library/den. But the hub of any home today is the kitchen/living area. Here, an open kitchen with a dramatic island of a single slab of luminous Zimbabwe granite-flows into a dining area and generous gathering room with a glamorous smoked-mirrored wet bar, all open to the outside through glass door walls. On the other side of the shared fireplace is a more intimate, formal living room. A junior master suite with direct access to the outside completes the first floor. Ascend the gracious stairway, or take the elevator, to the second floor and to the master bedroom which includes two full baths (one with a soaking tub and vanity), a windowed closet room with custom high-gloss enamel cabinetry with inset lighting, a fireplace of Arabescato marble (which matches the marble in the bathrooms), plus its very own secluded deck where you can sip your coffee and watch the swans glide on Hook Pond. Three more ensuite bedrooms, a lounge/TV nook, and one of two laundry areas complete the second level. Up one more flight is a third-floor observation deck with gas fireplace and wet bar, with an even more stunning vista. On the lower level, each end has floor to ceiling windows which make space feel truly alive in the way that only natural light can. Two ensuite bedrooms flank either side of the lower level but the remainder of the living area is open, with a double-sided travertine fireplace separating a billiard area from an informal viewing area with a 133-inch projection TV. Moving through space you’ll pass a glass-enclosed wine cellar and gym, plus a full steam room and state-of-the-art Infrared sauna. Climb an outdoor teak stairway to the pool area, with a 50’x18′ gunite pool and separate 10’x10′ spa anchored by an elegant pool house with attached outdoor shower surround. Alabama limestone surrounds the pool edge and continues into the pool house so that with retractable glass doors on two sides it’s truly integrated with its surroundings. Off the back of the main house are two covered porches with retractable screens and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen that make outdoor entertaining seamless. Time to sit back and enjoy the view and listen to the sound of the ocean.

Address: 20 Hook Pond Lane, East Hampton, NY 11937

Price: $13,995,000

The Hamptons Team are the exclusive agents representing the Sagaponack, NY real estate market as members of the Haute Residence Real Estate Network. View all of their listings here.

Photos courtesy of The Hamptons Team

The post Timeless East Hampton Home appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The Avengers are everywhere these days. When they aren't fighting supervillains or attempting to prevent the destruction of the universe, where do the core members of the Avengers live? How do their cinematic superhero homes compare with the real-life residences of the actors who portray them? It's time to assemble the details.

Iron Man/Robert Downey Jr.

For luxury home design, it's hard to beat Iron Man's mansion. This real residence partially inspired Tony Stark's house in the movie. Located in La Jolla, California, the 11,000-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 6-bath architectural marvel doesn't come with any Iron Man suits–but it does have a private beach.

San Diego architect Wallace Cunningham was given an unlimited budget to design a home that enhanced the natural landscape of the Torrey Pines State Reserve and provided awe-inspiring views of the ocean waves below it.

Aspiring billionaire playboys can watch Iron Man's cinematic journey in the glass and concrete home theater after getting some exercise in one of the many infinity pools dropped like luxury puddles all over the property.

Photo by Brown Harris Stevens

Actor Robert Downey Jr's East Hamptons cottage seems modest by Tony Stark's standards, but it does have a real working windmill and several clever touches of whimsy that you'd expect from one of Hollywood's most versatile actors.

Captain America/Chris Evans

At the end of Captain America: Civil War, super soldier Steve Rogers walks away from his shield and "Captain America" identity.

Maybe Steve Rogers will be looking for a new home soon as well–since the Brooklyn Heights apartment he keeps was damaged in battle. Over the years, the cozy nook with the warm fireplace provided a welcome hideout for many Marvel characters.

Presented by Coca-Cola and Marvel Entertainment

The borough of Brooklyn showed its pride in being tied to the First Avenger, as Prospect Park recently unveiled a 13-foot tall bronze Captain America statue.

On the other coast, Chris Evans lives in Laurel Canyon in a recently renovated house he purchased for $3.5 million. When not on set, the Avengers actor refreshes in his steam shower and free-standing tub in a master bathroom made of limestone and Calcutta marble.

He can also practice his cooking skills in the gourmet chef's kitchen with Wolf range, marble countertops, and built-in Miele coffee maker.

If the Avengers cast wants to have a Beverly Hills dance party, Chris Evans' pool patio–wired for dynamic surround sound might be the best place to do it.

Thor/Chris Hemsworth

After the destruction of Asgard at the end of the movie Thor: Ragnarok, the god of thunder is what you might call "in the market" for a new universe.

Chris Hemsworth, on the other hand, enjoys a $7-million estate comprised of six separate buildings in New South Wales, Australia. The Down-Under retreat near Byron Bay resembles a Balinese resort and meanders down to a secluded beach.

photo by Domain

The palatial environment is impressive, but Chris has even bigger plans. The whole Hemsworth family is living in the surrounding buildings while the main house undergoes a massive $8-million renovation.

Hulk/Mark Ruffalo

The Hulk was comfortable soaking in a tub for two years in the Sakaar suite he was kept in as a champion Gladiator, but now that Bruce Banner is back to stay, he's going to need a safe house with a well-equipped lab. The Avenger with the infamous alter-ego has been homeless for much of the Marvel adventures. Hopefully, this scientist with seven Ph.D.'s will get some shelter from the storm soon.

Mark Ruffalo was feeling the opposite with too many homes. He sold his Brooklyn brownstone last year for $3.1 million to make his primary residence the 50-acre farmhouse he shares with his wife Sunrise Coigney in the foothills of the Catskills. The Sullivan County homestead, which runs along the Delaware River, is an attractive step back to a simpler time.

photo by Coke Wisdom O'Neal

With a vegetable garden, a carved wooden bear sculpture, large barn and an eco-friendly guest house, Mark Ruffalo enjoys the breathing space of his country escape–learning what wild mushrooms he can eat and which natural plants heal bug bites. He is raising his kids to appreciate nature and feel connected to the land.

Black Widow/Scarlet Johansson

Natasha Romanoff, the S.H.I.E.L.D agent, otherwise known as "Black Widow" graduated from a Russian spy to a core member of the Avengers team.

When she isn't hanging with her buddy Hawkeye or helping Iron Man or Bruce Banner to get their head in the game, Black Widow can probably be found at the Avengers Mansion in New York City.

The Henry Clay Frick House on 5th Avenue was the real-life inspiration for the fictional base. The house has been enlarged three times to include a grand entry hall, an enclosed garden court, an oval room, a music room, and gallery. The bedrooms are located on the second floor and accessed by a marble staircase with wrought iron balustrade.

Meanwhile, Scarlett Johansson keeps her base in L.A. In fact, the famous Hollywood sign can be seen from her balcony. The 3,500-square-foot, two-story home sits on nearly an acre behind a secluded gate and cul-de-sac.

Dark wood floors accentuate the predominantly white walls and glass doors. A bathroom skylight provides ample views of the green hills that frame the pool and eight-person spa area.

It seems Scarlett has found her oasis in the middle of Los Feliz' historically Hollywood enclave.

See all of these famous stars and more in action in Avengers: Infinity War, still playing in theaters worldwide.

The post Haute Residence: Avengers Edition appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.