The exterior and the gardens were amazing and I was excited to see the main house. As soon as I saw the "Rogers Island" rug in purple and green I knew things were about to go downhill lol. That interior design is truly awful and ruins what could have been an amazing house. Even the newly renovated kitchen with its gold trims is borderline gaudy.
Yeah, but at least most of the awfulness isn't structural; a major redecoration could fix almost all of the problems. You're about 80 miles from New York, which would be a substantial daily commute (perhaps not by American standards), but it's probably worth it to get all of this on a private island for a fraction of what s substantial property nearer the city would cost.
I completely agree, it was extremely sad to see a stately old Tudor home like this, look so modern, as well as gaudy. It reminds me of Delia Deetz redecorating the beautiful old farm house in the movie Beetlejuice. People with too much money should build new and leave old homes such as this alone. It lost all of its historic integrity and charm. If you're going to renovate, make the interior in keeping with the time period with modern amenities for today, but don't go overboard. I cringed seeing all of the wood work painted white. A beautiful English kitchen with either brick or stone, as well as, large timber beams on the ceilings would have been warm and inviting. JMHO.
I dont want to repeat what everyone is saying but the landscaping is just a dream come true. Having all the plants named and catalogue is just what the doctor ordered. The tennis court is amazing and in general it is a great family scape. I like the fact that the agent knows exactly the prospective buyer for this house. Someone who is only going to stay 4 to 8 weeks a year and that uses the property as part of the real estate portfolio. What a great tour!
As an avid gardener I appreciate the collection of flora and fauna they have collected here. Magnificent. It is set up so well for self sustaining living I would live in it year round if I could figure out where my horses could graze *wink*. I would kill to have that greenhouse. You could grow food all year round. The sea horses on the gazebos are too charming and a nice touch. As a purist when it comes to old historic homes I am saddened by the renovation. I have been in many a summer "cottage" over my life and you cannot imagine how charming they are. None of that millwork would have been painted and I am betting there were wood ceilings in part of the house. The original kitchen would have been amazing. The kitchen is very well appointed but could be in any McMansion. Oh and the original bathrooms would have been amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Totally agree, the renovation has taken all the olde world character out of what i am sure would have been an incredible home (well, it's still incredible, but I would prefer more of the original decor to have been retained).
@@erikvanconoverkk I’m glad you secretly felt the same. Felt amateur, like the home owners wife took on the project.. shopping at HomeGoods for things like that tacky “giggle” sign. Ps: ur hot and I love your content
@@erikvanconover i laughed when you said that you'd like to see the house before renovation. What was just too much to me were the entrance of the house and that small room with the check-patterned walls (the latter felt like straight out of a horror movie).
I hope the owners read these comments but this reno was a masterclass in how to absolutely ruin what was a beautiful house. I'm in the UK and we have a lot of proper Tudor and Tudor-looking houses here, and not one of them is in the same bad taste league as this. It's like Stevie Wonder has gone in and run amok with a tray of spray paints. Find the designers and sack every one of them!! PLEASE
Not everyone wants to live in the glory of a past empire. I've been to the heavy dark wood cladded homes/museums in Britain and while spectacular, I would never want to stay there. You forget that this is a vacation home more than a year round residence as mentioned and of course it's an island. It invites informality and relaxation. I live in an area with massive homes from the past and most sit empty. Those days are gone and those homes which have stayed the same are all for sale with most of the value in the sale coming from the property, not the building. The home is true to its past on the outside and true to the future inside. It certainly works for me.
Ngl the interior is ballsy but I kind of like it, let's be honest there are no real Tudor homes in the US, it's all just cosplaying to a degree, this honestly in a way is more real than any straight up replica. Very urban/soho/LA/tik-tokky but because it's in such a traditional house, it lends to a strong and bold contrast that actually works for me. This fake "old money" aesthetics is honestly very kitschy in my opinion so it's cool to see someone taking bolder steps in a way that still goes with the actual heritage and doesn't try to overplay it.
Agreed, those bedrooms were overly wild which clashes extremely bad against the luxurious beauty of the island and internal/external infrastructure of the buildings . Two completely different worlds. Whoever buys it would need to redesign those rooms which is just an extra cost unnecessarily so.
What in the neon pastel barbie hell is that house. Never have I seen such glaring mismatch between the beautiful exterior and foul interior. No wonder the owners avoid this place for majority of the year
This is what happens when someone with a ton of money and no taste gets ahold of an historic home…They strip it of all the timeless charm and history!!!
@taserrr Dumb comment. Maybe they aren't as old, but they can be even more beautiful. Many homes for instance in Italy can be 400 years but look like a dump with zero intrest. Many historic periods simply didn't produce beautiful architecture.
Incredible job by whoever coordinated the landscaping. I have 5 acres that I've gradually improved on for over a decade and while its nowhere near the level of what this island showcases, I can fully appreciate what went into imagining and then making this a reality. Not to mention the upkeep! Really beautiful with how they've also integrated natural components. The house on the other hand... fine on the outside, but the interior was a disappointment.
Absolutely stunning landscaping and exterior of the home. I understand it’s supposed to to be a funner summer home but the artwork and interior design finishings missed the mark for me.
So beautiful! The home is perfectly decorated for a summer full of family fun! Bright colors and it feels happy!!! The pool and grounds are gorgeous! I can see kids, dogs, grandparents and visiting friends bringing the island alive! Need to win the lottery!
Thank you for this. Islands anywhere are special, but Rogers Island is truly one of a kind, and the original architecture is fabulous, along with the landscaping, guest house, the gazebo, pool and pool house, artist studio.and caretakers homes. The wrap-around porch around is another amazing feature.
@@jimc4731It's not that far off shore. Water taxi runs to and from all of the thimbles. The large majority of the thimbles don't have city power, and a lot of people use solar. Not sure if Rogers has city power or not. AFAIK, all of the islands have city water, but almost every house here is on a septic system. People park on the street, and take the water taxi for $5. Lots and lots of different islands to choose from if you ever wanted to rent a house on one of them for a week or two. Great vacation spot.
Wow. Never thought you'd be in Connecticut. So excited to see this tour because it's one of those houses we all know about but it's on its own Island so you can't exactly visit it or simply do a drive by.
I live in CT and have sailed through the Thimble Island. A lot of the foliage is found throughout the coastline. There are not views to the ocean but to Long Island Sound. There are much grander estates throughout the coastline of CT and further inland. It’s a very old state incorporated in 1689. Lots of history!
@@jackiebinns6205 Being incorporated has nothing to do with being a state or a country. The people who live in that area have decided to draw boundary lines and have a small ruling body etc. You can look it up if you want a more detailed explanation. Thanks for asking! Have a great day.
enes has moved on to 50 min episodes and people seem to be very receptive to the longer format. i would like to see you spend more time with your properties as well. its better for capturing more of what all these places have to offer
I live in Branford, CT and have seen the house on the Thimble Island boat tour. There are many more island homes in the thimbles but this one is in a league of its own.
It's so crazy to think about the fact a beautiful home like this is going unused for 80% of the year, while we have veterans with PTSD on the streets. An absolutely beautiful piece of property and it's so sad to think about the ever growing divide between the have's and have-nots.
This is the type of home, in it's time, that was built for multiple related families -- like the Kennedy Compound. There would be lots of related families and their friends, in and out, through the summer and holidays. A lot of these older grand properties were used in a genuine manner, not as trophy properties of today, but actually lived in and enjoyed by many.
Hello Eric, glad you are posting new videos. I am appreciative of your choice of the property you show. Great Job!!! Good to see you are doing well. Loads of love to you and your team. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Great home and well renovated in that it leaves much of the original features while including many top-quality new features. Interesting decorating choices. And, though it is beautiful and has many features, I was a little disappointed that it lacked more specialty rooms. A library/study/office would be nice, plus a music room and that's just sticking to general, traditional rooms. Myself, I'd definitely have those two, plus a pet lounge for cats and dogs I'm also surprised it has no basement. Or, does it? In any case, it's kind of boring, especially at that price. This is one problem with modern decorators. They cannot seem to realize that fine homes should offer more than the standard dining-, lounge-, bedroom type rooms, with maybe a playroom. Someone spending $35M expects that. I was also disappointed that, while it had an extensive greenhouse, there was no arboretum, which was typical of the period, nor any portion of the porch that was enclosed. Also, wicker seating would have been more sensible for the porch furniture. I guess the decorator thought it was too traditional but things like wicker have the durability that would far outlast those couches, which will need to be replaced in a few years due to exposure to salt air. Just a few quibbles about the terminology for some of the older features. 1. 'Wainscoting' is the term for "millwork that goes more than half way up the walls." 2. It's a 'window seat' not 'day bed' under the windows in the kitchen 3. 'Transom' is the term for the window above the doorway to the bedrooms. But, yes, these were created to increase air flow without giving up privacy in the rooms. That is, so you could keep the door closed. 4. In the pool house that's actually not a 'Widow's Walk' (the original term, though both are used) but a 'cupola,' as a true widow's walk was an open rooftop balcony with railing where a lady (wife or mother) could look out at the sea. Meanwhile a cupola is similar to a dome at the top of a large room that might contain windows for extra light. Nice tour.
Thank you ! I was stunned that he didn't KNOW those terms . When he described, "vents" above the doors I was shouting at the computer and then while showing the pool house he mentioned, "those might be transom windows", I realized that the terms were not familiar for him.
Once I saw that rug at the entrance everything that followed became a buzz kill; I too wish that I would of seen the home before the renos. How do you get there in winter by the way.
Great question at the beginning about what kind of person would buy this property! Her answer was telling. The pool of buyers shrinks dramatically when you factor in the criteria that it's $35,000,000, they will only stay 4 to 6 weeks a year, this is part of their real estate "puzzle." Add into the fact that this is a somewhat remote island off the coast of Connecticut with likely high maintenance costs. Is Dave Portnoy (buyer of the most expensive house in Massachusetts history) in the market for an island? It really is a beautiful home with gorgeous landscaping, but keeping a property looking like this, on an island, it must cost incredible amounts to keep it in this shape. In the main house, I'm hoping that's a lot of stager furniture and art, because it really lets the house down. I pulled up the property listing and it almost looks like AI decorated, but this video shows it is all real. My main criticism is calling that one building an artist's studio when it really isn't built for that. It looks like more guest space. An artist's space would have dedicated space for completed works (racks of many types) and storage space for materials. You wouldn't have a small kitchenette, which could have been used for storage. The loft is almost entirely useless because it has no storage organization and looks like it is currently intended as a sleeping space. It might be nice as a secondary guest space, but calling it a space for art is nonsense.
The Thimble Islands are an absolute gem, made out of pink granite. You can’t insure it either, so you have to pay cash. Outer Island is a wildlife refuge and the former home of architect, Elizabeth Hird, and open to the public in the summer. Bring a picnic, enjoy the beach, tide pools and history.
Al the designers of that place deserve a prize. The architect deserves a price for making such a nice home. The garden designer is just out of this world creating one of the most beautiful gardens I've ever seen. The interior designer is a testament to will power showing that if you put yourself out there and work hard you can even get hired to renovate a 35 million dollar mansion despite being mentally deranged.
I happen to like it. I understand that guests would be more able to remember where they're staying, by the color of the room. The master/owners wing is much more subdued, as is the kitchen.
Gorgeous property. The previous owner had interesting decor in the main house as well. The kitchen has been totally changed and is beautiful. The cost of maintaining that island for just a couple months use...wow! And not criticizing. You do a great job. It's called a WIDOW'S WALK and you are right it was where wives would go to watch for their husbands ships. Great presentation.
Such a beautiful property. Im from Connecticut, and have been on the thimble island cruise, i remember seeing this island from a distance. Its such a beautiful area and so many beautiful homes..
10:35 "Did I just step in crap?" 😀 But seriously, I wonder how large the staff is that handles this amazing landscaping. I enjoyed the outdoor part of the tour even more than the house, but the house is amazing too.
I'm in love. Everything sbout this property is so dreamy. Anybody who can afford it can change those whimsical wallpapers if they don't like it. Wonder how much they spend monthly for the upkeep of the house and landscaping. So beautiful. 💯
The person buying that property could care less about a nearly half million dollar property tax. When you have that kind of money in the US, taxes aren't really an issue.
Stunning home only eclipsed by the grounds. I do think the use of the bolder colors inside the home was a disservice to the total ambiance of the old world charm of the island and home itself. Beautiful nonetheless.
Beautiful home. Someone has probably already told you the windows above the doors are called transom windows. Very surprised there was no telescope on the third floor. I'll have to check my checkbook.
I'll never be the same. I can live in the cabana forever. That would be just fine with me. I love your channel & tour. I'm a native Miamian & we have beautiful homes in the islands on Miami Beach & Coral Gables ( famous Venetian Pool) but this private island is the definition of PARADISE. The topography & landscaping are surreal! Looking forward to your adventures.
The views and the manicured gardens are truly impressive and of the highest quality. The exterior of the house has charm as well as substance but the interior needs re-thinking...ie...gutting. It needs to be airier and more open. Beginning from scratch is the only way forward with this cramped, boxy space.
TBH I loved everything before you went in the house. I feel like the interior just looks super bland its sad they removed most of the historical look on the inside.
The interior and the vibrant colors give retro vibes, although i am not expecting it since it is very different from outside, it can still be enhanced and eventually give justice in general.
Nice home. This is kinda different from the other tours Erik has done in the past. I like it. It would be interesting to know how much it would cost to manage the landscaping on that property annually.
Name change up keep tax's? under pool door? Need more solar-power and cleaning system for water 1\2 the greenhouse, heating elements? For that price year around living do you need more staffing? Shooting Motion Pictures Recording Sound's maybe
In-f*****g-credible. I'm writing this at 10:13, I'm not even through half of the video and I already can't believe it. Honestly, keep the mansion, I'll take the guest house and be content for at least a dozen lifetimes XD
This reminds me of the movie The Proposal with Ryan Reynolds where they family is so rich they live in an island like this one. This is a great place to live
You work for 40yrs to have $1m in your retirement, Meanwhile some people are putting just $10k in a meme coin for just few months and now they are multi millionaires. I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life
I wouldnt know why someone would use it only as a vacation home. I would love to be there as a main home. Its just beautiful there. I mean the interior design can use some work but other then that i thought it was amazing.
![[Gegagedigedagedago] NEW Help Gegagedigedagedago Nugget escape from Nikocado Avocado Challenge](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hJWnwRC2Fz8/mqdefault.jpg)
Props to the camera crew, the b roles, the tilt shift shots, just amazing!
Bailey at DroneHub baby
Yep, very well executed. Not to take away from Erik, but the videography made the it a lot more interesting. I mean that in a good way. LOL
@@erikvanconover No offense, too much moving around for me.
The exterior and the gardens were amazing and I was excited to see the main house. As soon as I saw the "Rogers Island" rug in purple and green I knew things were about to go downhill lol. That interior design is truly awful and ruins what could have been an amazing house. Even the newly renovated kitchen with its gold trims is borderline gaudy.
Agree completely.
Yeah, but at least most of the awfulness isn't structural; a major redecoration could fix almost all of the problems. You're about 80 miles from New York, which would be a substantial daily commute (perhaps not by American standards), but it's probably worth it to get all of this on a private island for a fraction of what s substantial property nearer the city would cost.
@@Michael75579 Very true. If you could afford a place like this you could probably afford to throw a few more million into a redecoration.
I completely agree, it was extremely sad to see a stately old Tudor home like this, look so modern, as well as gaudy. It reminds me of Delia Deetz redecorating the beautiful old farm house in the movie Beetlejuice. People with too much money should build new and leave old homes such as this alone. It lost all of its historic integrity and charm. If you're going to renovate, make the interior in keeping with the time period with modern amenities for today, but don't go overboard. I cringed seeing all of the wood work painted white. A beautiful English kitchen with either brick or stone, as well as, large timber beams on the ceilings would have been warm and inviting. JMHO.
You people are so sad........
The island itself was more impressive than the actual house. Also that wrap around porch is absolutely divine! The 35 foot greenhouse 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
Amazing island, landscaping and buildings. But the renovation and remodeling inside the main house can't keep up with it, lack of taste and style.
Truth
Agreed, it does not fit at all. Lost all the coziness
The charm was lost, such a pity, it could be a truly magical place.
Totally agree, but, easily fixable if you have this kind of money. The bones of the house are nice and the island is beautiful.
I have SO MUCH respect for people who equate “different” with “lack”.
the interior looks like it would be in reality TV show like Love Island, but im sure so gorgeous before
I dont want to repeat what everyone is saying but the landscaping is just a dream come true. Having all the plants named and catalogue is just what the doctor ordered. The tennis court is amazing and in general it is a great family scape. I like the fact that the agent knows exactly the prospective buyer for this house. Someone who is only going to stay 4 to 8 weeks a year and that uses the property as part of the real estate portfolio. What a great tour!
The putting green has to go.
@@briandeeley1599 I'd grow turnips there.
The whole interior needs to be redone. Amazing island for sure.
As an avid gardener I appreciate the collection of flora and fauna they have collected here. Magnificent. It is set up so well for self sustaining living I would live in it year round if I could figure out where my horses could graze *wink*. I would kill to have that greenhouse. You could grow food all year round. The sea horses on the gazebos are too charming and a nice touch. As a purist when it comes to old historic homes I am saddened by the renovation. I have been in many a summer "cottage" over my life and you cannot imagine how charming they are. None of that millwork would have been painted and I am betting there were wood ceilings in part of the house. The original kitchen would have been amazing. The kitchen is very well appointed but could be in any McMansion. Oh and the original bathrooms would have been amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Totally agree, the renovation has taken all the olde world character out of what i am sure would have been an incredible home (well, it's still incredible, but I would prefer more of the original decor to have been retained).
What fauna lol
The island is great, as is the exterior of the house…but the interior design (apart from the kitchen) is absolutely awful!
yeah...many times I can't speak candidly in these videos as I am highlighting an asset to be sold. But agreed.
@@erikvanconoverkk I’m glad you secretly felt the same. Felt amateur, like the home owners wife took on the project.. shopping at HomeGoods for things like that tacky “giggle” sign.
Ps: ur hot and I love your content
@@erikvanconover i laughed when you said that you'd like to see the house before renovation. What was just too much to me were the entrance of the house and that small room with the check-patterned walls (the latter felt like straight out of a horror movie).
Where is the kitchen or dining room table that is accessible to the kitchen? I only saw the island.
Good Lord they ruined this house.
The furniture is just tasteless in that gorgeous place. It really does the interiors a disservice.
I hope the owners read these comments but this reno was a masterclass in how to absolutely ruin what was a beautiful house. I'm in the UK and we have a lot of proper Tudor and Tudor-looking houses here, and not one of them is in the same bad taste league as this. It's like Stevie Wonder has gone in and run amok with a tray of spray paints. Find the designers and sack every one of them!! PLEASE
Not everyone wants to live in the glory of a past empire. I've been to the heavy dark wood cladded homes/museums in Britain and while spectacular, I would never want to stay there. You forget that this is a vacation home more than a year round residence as mentioned and of course it's an island. It invites informality and relaxation. I live in an area with massive homes from the past and most sit empty. Those days are gone and those homes which have stayed the same are all for sale with most of the value in the sale coming from the property, not the building. The home is true to its past on the outside and true to the future inside. It certainly works for me.
Ngl the interior is ballsy but I kind of like it, let's be honest there are no real Tudor homes in the US, it's all just cosplaying to a degree, this honestly in a way is more real than any straight up replica. Very urban/soho/LA/tik-tokky but because it's in such a traditional house, it lends to a strong and bold contrast that actually works for me. This fake "old money" aesthetics is honestly very kitschy in my opinion so it's cool to see someone taking bolder steps in a way that still goes with the actual heritage and doesn't try to overplay it.
Agreed, those bedrooms were overly wild which clashes extremely bad against the luxurious beauty of the island and internal/external infrastructure of the buildings . Two completely different worlds. Whoever buys it would need to redesign those rooms which is just an extra cost unnecessarily so.
💯
@then buy something modern don't ruin a work of art jaycathedral9079
What in the neon pastel barbie hell is that house. Never have I seen such glaring mismatch between the beautiful exterior and foul interior. No wonder the owners avoid this place for majority of the year
Lol…agree
The last sentence made me snort laugh.😂
This is what happens when someone with a ton of money and no taste gets ahold of an historic home…They strip it of all the timeless charm and history!!!
Agree 1000%. That renovation is a crime.
Lol you Americans, a historic home being 120 years old?
Half the houses in my town are 150+ years old.
@taserrr Dumb comment. Maybe they aren't as old, but they can be even more beautiful. Many homes for instance in Italy can be 400 years but look like a dump with zero intrest. Many historic periods simply didn't produce beautiful architecture.
While walking around a 35 mill estate. "Did I step in crap" after talking about the amazing landscaping. 😂 That was classic.
Incredible job by whoever coordinated the landscaping. I have 5 acres that I've gradually improved on for over a decade and while its nowhere near the level of what this island showcases, I can fully appreciate what went into imagining and then making this a reality. Not to mention the upkeep! Really beautiful with how they've also integrated natural components. The house on the other hand... fine on the outside, but the interior was a disappointment.
The interior design of the main house is questionable at best but everything else is absolutely perfect! Gorgeous landscape
What on earth were they thinking with the interior of that place. Good lord lol.
I’m guessing Willy Wonka on acid.
Luckily paint is cheap.
It’s so bad
Don’t hire a ‘designer’! Just bizarre.
Come on .... could you at least consider when the house was built?
I love the outdoor space of this property. Large open grass space is something that isn't valued highly enough.
A monument to greed and excess. Imagine the annual cost, for enjoying this masterpiece “six to eight weeks per year”. Insane!
Absolutely stunning landscaping and exterior of the home. I understand it’s supposed to to be a funner summer home but the artwork and interior design finishings missed the mark for me.
So beautiful! The home is perfectly decorated for a summer full of family fun! Bright colors and it feels happy!!! The pool and grounds are gorgeous! I can see kids, dogs, grandparents and visiting friends bringing the island alive! Need to win the lottery!
Pretty sure the upstairs of that home was in the clown movie IT
Thank you for this. Islands anywhere are special, but Rogers Island is truly one of a kind, and the original architecture is fabulous, along with the landscaping, guest house, the gazebo, pool and pool house, artist studio.and caretakers homes. The wrap-around porch around is another amazing feature.
Everyone is in awe, but all thats going through my head is how does the plumbing work, the water, the electricity...😂
Yeah and where does the help live and do you need a property on the mainland to park your car and yacht to get to and from the island?
😂😅😂😂
JIM 🎉
@@jimc4731I think the caretakers live in the two story house next to the greenhouse.
@@jimc4731It's not that far off shore. Water taxi runs to and from all of the thimbles. The large majority of the thimbles don't have city power, and a lot of people use solar. Not sure if Rogers has city power or not. AFAIK, all of the islands have city water, but almost every house here is on a septic system. People park on the street, and take the water taxi for $5. Lots and lots of different islands to choose from if you ever wanted to rent a house on one of them for a week or two. Great vacation spot.
I grew up near that area and it's amazing the amount of development that has occurred on the Thimbles .
You’d need $36M to completely re-renovate the renovations.
Could not have said that better . What a cluster f..k. though the grounds are really nice
That interior is what happens when Barb from the trailer park hits Powerball.
Wow. Never thought you'd be in Connecticut. So excited to see this tour because it's one of those houses we all know about but it's on its own Island so you can't exactly visit it or simply do a drive by.
the Thimble Islands remind me of the island region outside of Gothenburg Sweden
That interior decoration was nauseating
yea it is...interesting
I live in CT and have sailed through the Thimble Island. A lot of the foliage is found throughout the coastline. There are not views to the ocean but to Long Island Sound. There are much grander estates throughout the coastline of CT and further inland. It’s a very old state incorporated in 1689. Lots of history!
Incorporated to where ? America didn't exist then 😮
@@jackiebinns6205 Being incorporated has nothing to do with being a state or a country. The people who live in that area have decided to draw boundary lines and have a small ruling body etc. You can look it up if you want a more detailed explanation. Thanks for asking! Have a great day.
As a landscape designer, this was easily my favorite property you've shown! Absolutely stunning!
Love the idea of labeling nature and the holistic properties, amazing
‘I don’t even know where to start’ 😂
its overwhelming
I love the fact they didn't remove the transum windows
Meanwhile, for that price in NYC, you get a half-floor apartment 😂
NYC always out of reach lol. Opportunity cost
This is a perfect place to book for a wedding reception for three days
???
Anyone catch what the plaque under the tree says a 2:11? "The Norway Maple Tree is basically the Toyota Camry of trees." WTF?
this place deserves an hour long episode
enes has moved on to 50 min episodes and people seem to be very receptive to the longer format. i would like to see you spend more time with your properties as well. its better for capturing more of what all these places have to offer
I live in Branford, CT and have seen the house on the Thimble Island boat tour. There are many more island homes in the thimbles but this one is in a league of its own.
It's so crazy to think about the fact a beautiful home like this is going unused for 80% of the year, while we have veterans with PTSD on the streets. An absolutely beautiful piece of property and it's so sad to think about the ever growing divide between the have's and have-nots.
As someone who has driven by this island; it's amazing to actually 'see' this property
How Did You "Drive" By This Island 🤔
@@FuxineFlaunchbottom you can see it from the shoreline...where there is a road
This is the type of home, in it's time, that was built for multiple related families -- like the Kennedy Compound. There would be lots of related families and their friends, in and out, through the summer and holidays. A lot of these older grand properties were used in a genuine manner, not as trophy properties of today, but actually lived in and enjoyed by many.
Hello Eric, glad you are posting new videos. I am appreciative of your choice of the property you show. Great Job!!! Good to see you are doing well. Loads of love to you and your team. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Great home and well renovated in that it leaves much of the original features while including many top-quality new features. Interesting decorating choices. And, though it is beautiful and has many features, I was a little disappointed that it lacked more specialty rooms. A library/study/office would be nice, plus a music room and that's just sticking to general, traditional rooms. Myself, I'd definitely have those two, plus a pet lounge for cats and dogs I'm also surprised it has no basement. Or, does it? In any case, it's kind of boring, especially at that price. This is one problem with modern decorators. They cannot seem to realize that fine homes should offer more than the standard dining-, lounge-, bedroom type rooms, with maybe a playroom. Someone spending $35M expects that.
I was also disappointed that, while it had an extensive greenhouse, there was no arboretum, which was typical of the period, nor any portion of the porch that was enclosed. Also, wicker seating would have been more sensible for the porch furniture. I guess the decorator thought it was too traditional but things like wicker have the durability that would far outlast those couches, which will need to be replaced in a few years due to exposure to salt air.
Just a few quibbles about the terminology for some of the older features.
1. 'Wainscoting' is the term for "millwork that goes more than half way up the walls."
2. It's a 'window seat' not 'day bed' under the windows in the kitchen
3. 'Transom' is the term for the window above the doorway to the bedrooms. But, yes, these were created to increase air flow without giving up privacy in the rooms. That is, so you could keep the door closed.
4. In the pool house that's actually not a 'Widow's Walk' (the original term, though both are used) but a 'cupola,' as a true widow's walk was an open rooftop balcony with railing where a lady (wife or mother) could look out at the sea. Meanwhile a cupola is similar to a dome at the top of a large room that might contain windows for extra light.
Nice tour.
Thank you ! I was stunned that he didn't KNOW those terms . When he described, "vents" above the doors I was shouting at the computer and then while showing the pool house he mentioned, "those might be transom windows", I realized that the terms were not familiar for him.
Excellent fantastic tour the very best estate residence I have seen. Thanks so much for showing this.
Imagine a loving family reunion on this magic island. Beautiful estate. Thank you
I live in New London, Connecticut and I never knew about this Island, so beautiful and majestic looking 😊❤
Once I saw that rug at the entrance everything that followed became a buzz kill; I too wish that I would of seen the home before the renos. How do you get there in winter by the way.
Boat
You don't come here in the winter. You stay at one of your other 3 or 4 houses
@@sillylung At that price you would expect a helipad on the island.
@@JustMe-hf3wt probably what the putting green is used for
Great question at the beginning about what kind of person would buy this property! Her answer was telling. The pool of buyers shrinks dramatically when you factor in the criteria that it's $35,000,000, they will only stay 4 to 6 weeks a year, this is part of their real estate "puzzle." Add into the fact that this is a somewhat remote island off the coast of Connecticut with likely high maintenance costs.
Is Dave Portnoy (buyer of the most expensive house in Massachusetts history) in the market for an island?
It really is a beautiful home with gorgeous landscaping, but keeping a property looking like this, on an island, it must cost incredible amounts to keep it in this shape.
In the main house, I'm hoping that's a lot of stager furniture and art, because it really lets the house down. I pulled up the property listing and it almost looks like AI decorated, but this video shows it is all real.
My main criticism is calling that one building an artist's studio when it really isn't built for that. It looks like more guest space. An artist's space would have dedicated space for completed works (racks of many types) and storage space for materials. You wouldn't have a small kitchenette, which could have been used for storage. The loft is almost entirely useless because it has no storage organization and looks like it is currently intended as a sleeping space. It might be nice as a secondary guest space, but calling it a space for art is nonsense.
That ending song was amazing. Great job
The Thimble Islands are an absolute gem, made out of pink granite. You can’t insure it either, so you have to pay cash. Outer Island is a wildlife refuge and the former home of architect, Elizabeth Hird, and open to the public in the summer. Bring a picnic, enjoy the beach, tide pools and history.
Al the designers of that place deserve a prize.
The architect deserves a price for making such a nice home.
The garden designer is just out of this world creating one of the most beautiful gardens I've ever seen.
The interior designer is a testament to will power showing that if you put yourself out there and work hard you can even get hired to renovate a 35 million dollar mansion despite being mentally deranged.
Lol....a reviewer with a sense of humor. ❤
I loved the interior!...not kidding super bold and fun!
This is my favorite house and video ever!!! Soaked up every second of this. Thanks for showing us around! :)
Breathtaking😊 thanks for sharing with the common people❤
I happen to like it. I understand that guests would be more able to remember where they're staying, by the color of the room. The master/owners wing is much more subdued, as is the kitchen.
Nice place to own in case of an zombie apocalypse
end of the world vibes
Zombies can't drown, so there's that.
amazing house, love the history and looks of everything and the older quality build to last
Gorgeous property. The previous owner had interesting decor in the main house as well. The kitchen has been totally changed and is beautiful. The cost of maintaining that island for just a couple months use...wow! And not criticizing. You do a great job. It's called a WIDOW'S WALK and you are right it was where wives would go to watch for their husbands ships. Great presentation.
Such a beautiful property. Im from Connecticut, and have been on the thimble island cruise, i remember seeing this island from a distance. Its such a beautiful area and so many beautiful homes..
quality is insane ! nice job conover + crew
Outstanding!! I fell in love with it ❤
Leaving in the crap to mud moment was amazing. Well done haha
10:35 "Did I just step in crap?" 😀 But seriously, I wonder how large the staff is that handles this amazing landscaping. I enjoyed the outdoor part of the tour even more than the house, but the house is amazing too.
"This is the Other Place " ....Twilight Zone episode haha😂😂
I'm in love. Everything sbout this property is so dreamy. Anybody who can afford it can change those whimsical wallpapers if they don't like it. Wonder how much they spend monthly for the upkeep of the house and landscaping. So beautiful. 💯
$410,094 annual property tax bill...welcome to Connecticut!
The person buying that property could care less about a nearly half million dollar property tax. When you have that kind of money in the US, taxes aren't really an issue.
@@nat9909
Plus, they probably take a write off because they entertain “business clients” there.
my taxes of $7000 on a $400,000 home are higher.
@@tomwood6940How about $3500 on $115,000. At least I don't have a mortgage.
Naw..the wealthy don't pay taxes in Merica.
Stunning home only eclipsed by the grounds. I do think the use of the bolder colors inside the home was a disservice to the total ambiance of the old world charm of the island and home itself. Beautiful nonetheless.
I live in Connecticut and these island homes in Branford are terrific, especially for defense against the zombie invasion :)
I had no idea the Thimble Islands existed before shooting this video, stunning.
My Man Erik is on a Hot Historic homes Streak
ONLY Historic homes. They excite me the most.
Beautiful home. Someone has probably already told you the windows above the doors are called transom windows. Very surprised there was no telescope on the third floor. I'll have to check my checkbook.
i've seen many properties for sale in my life, and this one is the most beautiful one yet. I can't afford it, but i would love to visit it.
New subscriber here.. Watching from CT 👍🏻
The groundskeeper probably spends more time there than the actual family lol
I'll never be the same. I can live in the cabana forever. That would be just fine with me. I love your channel & tour. I'm a native Miamian & we have beautiful homes in the islands on Miami Beach & Coral Gables ( famous Venetian Pool) but this private island is the definition of PARADISE. The topography & landscaping are surreal! Looking forward to your adventures.
Great video. Very educational on the islands off Connecticut. Beautiful home.
love the interior. It's not the same boring thing what you see in other houses. It's different.
I can't imagine anything better
The Thimble Islands are in Long Island Sound. There is no crashing surf there, as shown on the video.
Love the unique home tours like this one, can only see so many 20 mil modern homes in manhattan before they get old.
"This is my kind of house!" Well said, Erik lol
Mine, too!
The views and the manicured gardens are truly impressive and of the highest quality. The exterior of the house has charm as well as substance but the interior needs re-thinking...ie...gutting. It needs to be airier and more open. Beginning from scratch is the only way forward with this cramped, boxy space.
TBH I loved everything before you went in the house. I feel like the interior just looks super bland its sad they removed most of the historical look on the inside.
a true shame. Felt like an AirBnB...can you imagine how cozy that home must have been in 1902!
The interior and the vibrant colors give retro vibes, although i am not expecting it since it is very different from outside, it can still be enhanced and eventually give justice in general.
Really enjoyed this videos thank you
Nice home. This is kinda different from the other tours Erik has done in the past. I like it.
It would be interesting to know how much it would cost to manage the landscaping on that property annually.
thats a great question! I would imagine hundreds of thousands yearly
Name change up keep tax's? under pool door? Need more solar-power and cleaning system for water 1\2 the greenhouse, heating elements? For that price year around living do you need more staffing? Shooting Motion Pictures Recording Sound's maybe
We need an hour long video of the grounds❤
In-f*****g-credible. I'm writing this at 10:13, I'm not even through half of the video and I already can't believe it. Honestly, keep the mansion, I'll take the guest house and be content for at least a dozen lifetimes XD
no one talking about the plaque for the Norway maple tree “basically the Toyota Camry of trees”🌳 😂 @2:10
I live in New London, CT.
Mile from the beach. I didn’t know we had these types of estate islands
this house is amazing, it really speaks to my heart
I really respect and agree with the tone you strike in the video
Although the house is not 100% my style, but this is a paradise. Music is also good chosen.
Must be fun to go grocery shopping. Do they take a boat?
With a small army of landscapers, you're never really alone.
Definitelly, you need to hire a small army to work on it every day.
s/o to the landscape crew seriously
@@erikvanconover looks amazing. Kudos to the whole crew. Hope it sells quickly!
I bet they are hoping the new owners will keep them on.
This reminds me of the movie The Proposal with Ryan Reynolds where they family is so rich they live in an island like this one. This is a great place to live
funny how they all have fancy stoves that never get used
Incredible home and island, loved your rhythm and the way you showed us around. W cameraman also!
Thank you brother!
You work for 40yrs to have $1m in your retirement, Meanwhile some people are putting just $10k in a meme coin for just few months and now they are multi millionaires. I pray that anyone who reads this will be successful in life
Maria davis program is widely available online..
I'm glad to write her tay I do hope she will help handle my paycheck properly
Can I start with as low as $1000
YES!!! That's exactly her name (Maria Davis ) so many people have recommended highly about her and am just starting with her 😊 from Northern Ireland🇬🇧
Wow I'm just shocked you mentioned Maria Davis, thought I'm the only one trading with her
I wouldnt know why someone would use it only as a vacation home. I would love to be there as a main home. Its just beautiful there. I mean the interior design can use some work but other then that i thought it was amazing.
I would remove the tennis court and the Golf field, certainly amplify the stream and garden 😅
I'm with you