Sherman Lane in New Haven: the Italian Renaissance is alive and well in Vermont
Vermont is not exactly the first place you’d look for the Italian Renaissance. Think Vermont and you probably think farms and cows; corn mazes and pumpkins. But take a look at this New Haven home, just 10 minutes from Middlebury and you might change your tune to Pantheon and Vitruvius.
A Palladian wonder, this neo-classical home will warm the cockles of any italianophile heart. David Watkins’ A History of Western Architecture will tell you that Andrea Palladio’s architectural works are “the quintessence of High 
Renaissance calm and harmony”. These qualities made Palladio one of the most copied architects in the Western world.
The architectural design of this New Haven home, by Boston’s John Tittman, does a great deal to ensure calm and harmony. Its balance and symmetry, particularly in the entrance from the garden (pictured below), lend a certain tranquility that lifts the mood and lowers the blood pressure (the rainbows and incredible views definitely help in this area).
1992 Winner of Vermont Magazine’s Home of the Year, the property includes 35 acres with a large lawn area (perfect for Bocce), pond, perennial gardens and expansive mountain views from almost every room, among these rooms are three Bedrooms and three and a half baths.
Because company, like fish, starts to smell after three days, there is a wonderful guest suite with its own small kitchen. This property is perfect for the couple or family who loves to entertain or could be a spectacular B&B.
My two favorite rooms are the eat-in kitchen and the octagonal library. Among the stacks here, I’m sure you’ll find Palladio’s 1570 masterwork: I Quattro Libri dell’ Architettura (The Four Books of Architecture) and New Classic American Houses co-written by Tittman.
The eat-in kitchen has an island and its own wood stove. The important room is spacious and yet cozy. We all know how easily the kitchen can become the focus of parties and gatherings – at 14×27 feet, this one gives enough room to give the chef some breathing space and yet keeps guests close to the action.
In keeping with our Italian Renaissance theme, I imagine dining here on a crusty Ciabatta and a nice Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Browned Butter and Balsamic Reduction. Washed down with a glass of 1996 Barolo.
Please contact me for a tour of this incredible American Classic. We can take in the views and talk about food. Time for lunch…
Palladio The Four Books of Architecture image credit: Wikipedia
Sherman Lane in New Haven: the Italian Renaissance is alive and well in Vermont
Vermont is not exactly the first place you’d look for the Italian Renaissance. Think Vermont and you probably think farms and cows; corn mazes and pumpkins. But take a look at this New Haven home, just 10 minutes from Middlebury and you might change your tune to Pantheon and Vitruvius.
A Palladian wonder, this neo-classical home will warm the cockles of any italianophile heart. David Watkins’ A History of Western Architecture will tell you that Andrea Palladio’s architectural works are “the quintessence of High Renaissance calm and harmony”. These qualities made Palladio one of the most copied architects in the Western world.
The architectural design of this New Haven home, by Boston’s John Tittman, does a great deal to ensure calm and harmony. Its balance and symmetry, particularly in the entrance from the garden (pictured below), lend a certain tranquility that lifts the mood and lowers the blood pressure (the rainbows and incredible views definitely help in this area). (more…)
