Stately Traditional Home Features Elegant Decor and Latest Trends

Showcasing the latest interior design trends in a historic setting is a tradition for the Albany Vanguard, the organization that supports the acclaimed Albany Symphony Orchestra. For 36 years, area interior designers and artists have put their mark on rooms in the featured house. This year, while the home is not historic, it sits on a plot of land that is steeped in local history.

Located in Albany’s Sage Estate, the property was once part of a 2500 acre tract that was home to mansions, carriage houses, barns and bridges, originally established in the early 1600s. The estate has been on the National Historic Register since 1980 and is now the location of an exclusive, gated community of exquisite homes.

As soon as you enter the Showhouse, you can see the juxtaposition of tradition and modernity. The elegant curve of the sweeping staircase is highlighted by the trendy stick light chandelier. The foyer, as well as the home’s great room, were decorated by Jae Schalekamp of MIN Studio.

The living room/study was purposefully designed as a retreat, with no television or electronics. The neutral palette and soothing fabrics are luxurious but not stuffy. Designed by Paula McCormack Interiors, it includes a number of signature features, such as the dark ceiling.

The designer's mantel arrangement includes a thin strip of mirror between the paintings as a unique element. that we found very captivating. — The designer’s mantel arrangement includes a thin strip of mirror between the paintings as a unique element. that we found very captivating.

No detail is missing in this elegant room. The mirror panel under some of the windows is a symbol of reflection and the upholstered chair repeats the fabric that is used in the floor length drapes. The mix-and-match style of the lighter curtains keeps the arrangement from being stiff or two formal.

Designer and decorative painter Mary Korzinski transformed a formal dining room into a more welcoming one, which she calls the Indigo-go dining room. The hand-troweled walls are meant to evoke an ikat fabric and the modern crystal chandelier is comprised of stunning crystals mounted in a geometric frame.

The designer enlisted Spartan Woodworking to create this custom ceiling tray, which features a hand-painted metallic design that looks like an antique tile pattern.

The painted ceiling tray detail work extends to the corners, where the grid pattern adds interest to a usually forgotten corner.

The long, lush drapes on the dining room windows are highlighted by the unique custom cornice boxes at the top.

Between the dining room and the kitchen, the house has this enviable wet bar/butler's area that is perfect for easy entertaining, — Between the dining room and the kitchen, the house has this enviable wet bar/butler’s area that is perfect for easy entertaining.

The great room, with its wall full of windows, is a truly spectacular living area. Jae Schalekamp of MIN Studio enhanced the stone fireplace by painting the surrounding wall in a complementary gray shade. The stick light fixture is a companion model of the one located in the foyer and the large paintings were custom created for the room.

No one could ever dream of covering these gorgeous windows, so MIN Studio created long, hand-painted fabric panels to frame the sections.

The floor-to-ceiling panels have a modern, Asian aesthetic.

Accessories like this one-of-kind lamp were hand made by MIN Studio. The paper shade of this rustic lamp is created with a fibrous paper that has been scorched and burned.

The exceptionally spacious kitchen received a facelift from Kristina Ellis of K.D. Ellis Interiors. The upper cabinets were in great shape, so the designer updated them from the previous cream color to a crisp white. The other cabinets were made richer looking by deepening the color. Pewter light fixtures play up other accessories and details in the room.

The massive island has plenty of storage space underneath, including open shelving, which makes is easy to stash cookbooks or other necessities. — The massive kitchen island has plenty of storage space underneath, including open shelving, which makes is easy to stash cookbooks or other necessities.

From the other side, the island featured closed storage. You can also see the second bar-style sink that is excellent for casual entertaining. Everyone always ends up gathering in the kitchen anyway, right?

The cooktop is highlighted by a lovely stone backsplash and the ventilation hood is hidden behind the custom woodwork.

Just off the kitchen is a large family room area, which allows family or friends to hang out while the cook is working in the kitchen. The roman shades allow an unobstructed view of the gorgeous backyard. The designer split the room into two conversation groupings by using furniture placement and two area rugs.

Metallic touches and a modern feel keep the family room light and airy, but still very comfortable.

The formal powder room is a visual delight. Designer Rae Rau’s decades of experience in stage design and painting show in this amazing tulip-themed powder room. Besides being a beautiful flower, the tulip was an important element in Albany’s Dutch history.

Even the sink sports a flowery, tulip finish. This is Kohler's Artist Edition "Flowers and Fables" bathroom fixture. — Even the sink sports a flowery, tulip finish. This is Kohler’s Artist Edition “Flowers and Fables” bathroom fixture.

Sam Norman of the Ethan Allen Gallery in Albany designed this restful master bedroom with the idea of an executive retreat as his inspiration. Luxurious furniture placed against a soft neutral palette with shades of white are calming.

The spacious master bedroom includes a sitting area and a full fireplace for romantic fall and winter evenings. Stately built-ins frame the fireplace.

Perfect for reading in front of the fireplace or relaxing for a quiet conversation, these comfortable chairs are cushy and welcoming.

A stately master bedroom needs an equally special walk-in closet area. More than just a place to store clothing and shoes, this closet is a quiet retreat that is well-organized and beautiful. Melissa Hatch of California Closets designed this functional and fabulous space.

Plenty of open storage, shoe shelving and drawers for accessories and jewelry make the closet even more useful.

A well-lit vanity perfect for primping hair and make-up is a built in part of this grand closet.

Wow…that’s the only word that comes to mind when you see this bathroom. The free-standing bathtub in front of the stunning window is the focal point of this neutral space. Designer Stephanie Salway of Starlily Design Studio painted the walls in a seagrass-hued grasscloth weave pattern.

Dresser-style double sinks frame the window, accented by a richly upholstered bench seat.

Originally the homeowner's son's bedroom, this room was transformed by Cross River Inc. and Trojan Horse Antiques into a second-floor sitting room. The antiques are elegant and mix well with the more modern elements like the furry stool and animal print chair. — Originally the homeowner’s son’s bedroom, this room was transformed by Cross River Inc. and Trojan Horse Antiques into a second-floor sitting room. The antiques are elegant and mix well with the more modern elements like the furry stool and animal print chair.

The modern mix continues on the other side of the room, where a minimalist glass coffee table and neutral sofa complete the design.

A separate guest suite was decorated by Jewels Interiors and 2B Design features a fourposter bed accented with drapes. The designers used gold accents, a 2016 trend, to create a space with "glamour and sophistication fit for a king and a queen." — A separate guest suite was decorated by Jewels Interiors and 2B Design features a fourposter bed accented with drapes. The designers used gold accents, a 2016 trend, to create a space with “glamour and sophistication fit for a king and a queen.”

The whimsical lamps they chose for the bedroom play on the theme of royalty.

The opulent chair green chair at this lovely writing desk does more than provide seating. It gives a regal pop of color in the largely black and white room. The sheer fabric panels help the room maintain their clean lines, provide privacy and still let in plenty of natural light. — The opulent chair green at this lovely writing desk does more than provide seating. It gives a regal pop of color in the largely black and white room. The sheer fabric panels help the room maintain their clean lines, provide privacy and still let in plenty of natural light.

Black in a small bathroom? The answer is a resounding YES! The bold look elevates the small space. We love the wide windowpane design on the walls, and the addition of gold fixtures continues the accent color from the bedroom, adding pop and elegance.

The tangle of gold tubing at the ceiling makes for a stunning light fixture. The shadows it casts are beautiful.

Decorative Artist Pamela Quick gave this girl’s bedroom a romantic look with a touch of bling with her purple and silver scheme. The walls shine with a silver Florentine damask stencil. The bedding, drapery and accessories all sparkle with rhinestones, which highlight the deep, rich purple.

Feminine touches like the draped vanity chair add to the elegance of the room, which is glamorous but not fussy. The clean lines of the dresser and lamp are a good counterpoint to the ornate, stenciled walls on the opposite end of the room.

This versatile armchair grouping is accessorized with bits of bling on the pillows and the lamp. The embellished wall decor dresses up the plain wall but does not compete with the accent wall.

Here's a great example of how a nightstand doesn't need to be a "nightstand." This slim silver table placed at the bedside is light and airy, and the accessories provide the necessary light and the desired glamour. — Here’s a great example of how a nightstand doesn’t need to be a “nightstand.” This slim silver table placed at the bedside is light and airy, and the accessories provide the necessary light and the desired glamour.

The silver and bling carry into the bathroom, with silver accents and a crystal-laden light fixture over the vanity mirror.

The ceiling light also sports the same crystals that the vanity light fixture has.

A glamorous home would not be complete without expansive and elegant outdoor space and this home has plenty! The covered veranda off the kitchen living area and great room offers lots of square footage for all-weather entertaining.

Designer Morgan Stritsman of Best Fire Hearth & Patio really brings the outdoors in with her arrangement of seating and dining areas. The turquoise accents give the space a vacation feel.

While dining on the veranda, you have a clear view of the welcoming backyard. The rustic light fixture holds two candles, which add to the ambiance on a warm summer night!

A few steps away is a lounging area near the pool. Perfect for snoozing or sunbathing.

Only steps away is a swimming pool for taking a dip. At the other side of the yard, a fire pit and conversation seating let the homeowners use the property well into the season of cooler weather.

The wide range of interior designers and artists who worked on this project created decor that demonstrates how you can incorporate current touches and trends without losing the elegance and glamour of a stately home set on a historic plot.