Monday, May 24, 2021

A Visit to Villa Pace

You might remember that I recently posted about the 1930's Villa Pace, and last week, I had a chance to visit this beautiful house and have a tour, given by the current owner. 

Although I did see much of the main level of the house, I was not comfortable taking pictures of it, but I took plenty of the outside.

The house was built in a cross-shape, and is of Italianate style, similar to others that Palmer & Lamdin built, including the Shrine of St. Anthony

The house had a bit of a checkered past, with it being built in the 1930's by opera diva, Rosa Ponselle. There was a pretty serious fire in the late 1970's and then a battle with the insurance company, which lasted several years. 

Once that was over, Rosa Ponselle died and the house was to be made into a music center. Lots of issues with that, and over the next several years, all of the money disappeared.

The house was sold to a young company who could only do what they could do to maintain the house, and couldn't do anything about the property, other than mow the vast expanse of lawns.

About 25 years ago, another couple purchased the house and brought it back to its former glory. The restored the interiors, planted the gardens,

added trees, a pool and pool-house and cared for it with love.

My visit was on a sparkling late spring afternoon, when the sun was shining,

and the gardens were bright with blooms. 

A very gracious thank you to my delightful hostess!

Monday, May 17, 2021

On the Market: 5202 St. Albans Way

When I was a kid, I had a friend who thought it was pronounced Stalbans. All one word. It took a while to realize she was talking about Saint Alban's Way. One of the prettiest streets in Homeland, with several Palmer & Lamdin houses lining the roadway.

Just on the market last week is 5202 St. Alban's Way. There are at least six other P&L houses that I've catalogued so far on that street. 

Here's what the real estate listing says:

Perfectly situated in the center of the neighborhood on one of Homeland’s few double lots sits this unique stone home built by Palmer Lamdin architects in 1927. Known well for their fine architectural details, mainly in the woodworking, this home seems to be a showcase of sorts displaying their signature work throughout. Wide and thick wood doors with raised paneling, detailed paneling on the walls, wide open entry way and foyer, and mantelpieces that you’ve most likely never seen before lie inside, decorating each spacious room.

The home is light and airy and the amount of living space is abundant inside and out.


The kitchen was fully renovated in 2009 with granite counters and a Wolfe range, and also has the original butlers pantry which has been preserved. The large dining room walls are draped with Zuber wallpaper, also featured in The White House, as well as a gas fireplace for ambiance.

The living room is very spacious and along with its extra reading nook with built-in shelving and gas fireplace, opens with double French doors to the completely reconstructed family room. The large family room is filled with light and windows, a stone exterior wall within, and a built-in system with beverage refrigerator and cabinetry. French doors from the family room open to the elaborate gardens in the rear.

With four sizable bedrooms upstairs, an extra attic/play room, and a lower level with many usable spaces, this house has plenty of space to spread out. The garage is attached and accessible inside of the house through a mud room. Laundry has been moved upstairs for convenience.


The gardens outside are beyond imagination, as meandering paths lead you around the endless plantings and specimen trees. There are also ponds, water features and stone work, along with a beautiful surrounding iron fence.

The property is so truly unique that it has been featured in home and garden tours over the years. An exquisite package worth exploring!

 This is a great house, with a double lot, in a great neighborhood.