Nick Churton of the Houlihan Lawrence London office visits a beautiful home in the Greenwich Back Country where the less said is always, the better.

The House: 4 Ashfields Lane, Armonk, New York

The Agent: Angela Kessel

The Broker: Houlihan Lawrence

You don’t have to play polo to enjoy living at Conyers Farm, a gated community between Greenwich and Armonk. And as far as polo ponies are concerned, you don’t even have to know which end the hay goes in. But the meticulously manicured polo field at the entrance to the estate gives a clue to how well things run around here.

And the people who live at Conyers Farm appreciate things run correctly. After all, many residents manage or have managed important organisations like Fortune 500 companies, investment banks, major sports franchises and sections of the US government. To mention more about the residents would be indiscreet, and if there is one thing you get at Conyers Farm, it is discretion – that and a highly comforting degree of security.

Wrapped within this haven is the home I visited. It is the last word in efficient and expansive living. But here’s the thing, this home may be a beautiful Greenwich villa, but first and foremost, it is a home. It is comfortable without being pretentious, welcoming instead of intimidating, unstuffy and relaxed rather than formal. It is a kick-your-shoes-off sort of place, but in a matter of moments can be dressed for dinner.

The property, wrapped in ten beautifully landscaped acres, includes a lovely pool, pool house, tennis court and garaging for seven cars. The house contains eight bedrooms, eight batrooms, spacious reception rooms, an eleven-seater theatre, gym, library and office.

The Conyers Farm Association provides 24/7 security and maintains roads and and roadside grounds to an astonishing degree. For those who still run important things in New York City, the rail service from Greenwich takes only an hour. And for the weekends, from Westchester airport, just fifteen minutes away, you can jet to Palm Beach in 3 hours and Nantucket in one.

If you like polo on your doorstep, you will love it here. But, if stick and ball isn’t your thing, don’t worry; you will still feel right at home. Now, I should finish; to say more wouldn’t be done in this circle.

Nick Churton of the Houlihan Lawrence London office visits Buckhorn in Pound Ridge where versatile doesn’t come close as a description.

The House: Buckhorn, 60-66 Pound Ridge Road, Pound Ridge, New York

The Agents: Mary H Palmerton and Jody Rosen

The Broker: Houlihan Lawrence

Some people will look at this property and see a traditional home in a magnificent setting and, with the advantage of a contemporary barn to house a collection such as art or wine, they would not be wrong. But as with contemporary art, others will see beyond what’s in front of their eyes and observe something different.

I see the traditional home as a beautiful guest house for my nearest and dearest, its adjoining lake house for fabulous parties and then convert the barn into a magnificent, modern, open-plan duplex residence for me. I’m thinking city loft in the country. The opportunity is fantastic, and an architect would flip. But that’s only my take: yours will be different.

The setting for Buckhorn is spectacular. The 15 acres easily accommodate a large lake, woodland, main house with a connected lake house, studio over a 2-car garage, a staff house, a guest house, cottage and pool with pool house. And then of course there’s the barn. I think a great deal about the property comes back to the barn and the unique and exciting home or collection space it could become.

Buckhorn isn’t one property; it is a series of properties awaiting a buyer who can understand how the components would work best for them. In that way, dear reader, whatever you think you are looking for in a home, hold that thought. Go and see Buckhorn: it may not have been what you thought you were looking for but it may well be just what you need. Also, you are only 40 miles from New York City and the property borders the Morgenthau Nature Preserve – thus ensuring your near neighbours are of the wildlife variety.

This property is the vision of a couple with extraordinary creativity. But the masterpiece isn’t yet finished. It is like an abstract painting. Many will be unaware which way up it should be hung. But you will.

The House: Terry Manor, 27 Hampshire Road, Bronxville, New York 

The Agent: Kathleen Collins 

The Broker: Houlihan Lawrence 

Nick Churton of the Houlihan Lawrence London office gets the show business feeling in a charming house in Bronxville, New York

Recently I visited Terry Manor, a Tudor-style home near Bronxville, New York. It was once the home of Paul Terry, co-founder of Terrytoons, the animation studio that created cartoon characters such as Mighty Mouse and Deputy Dawg. The house was built in 1935 when th studio was only in its sixth year. 

Today the word cartoon is associated with humorous or satirical caricature, and in a way Terry Manor uses parody to draw on English 16th century architectural themes. But in the Italian Renaissance, cartone, meant a large and very detailed drawing. In this way I imagine the house as a detailed work expressing the serious ideas of both the original owner and the current ones.

With a fabulous team of tradespeople, the present owners have achieved a stunning refurbishment. It’s like Mighty Mouse has returned as a decorator. Take a look at the video. The attention to detail in this house is astonishing. If I had only one word to describe the home it would be romantic. The house is a love story awaiting new owners on whom to sprinkle stardust.

On a practical level, just look at a map. Is there anywhere that can offer a park-like feel, wraparound terrace, pool and romance just 20 minutes from New York City? I very much doubt it.

The house: 193 Mead Street, Waccabuc, New York

The agent: Susan Stillman.

The broker: Houlihan Lawrence

Nick Churton of Houlihan Lawrence’s London office visits a heavenly retreat in Waccabuc, New York and lets his imagination soar.

Are you looking for a beautiful and peaceful retreat, dear reader? I didn’t know I was until I arrived here. Here, by the way, is a cottage high above picturesque Lake Waccabuc – only about an hour’s drive from frenetic New York City. A long pine-scented driveway leads to a woodland clearing with a stone-built house seemingly hewn from the hillside. The interior of the home is innocent of any pretence in a highly comfortable, mountain sort of way. Instead, the beguiling view and the people who enjoy the view are the essential components of this drama. It is like a theatre set where the players and the backdrop, not the stage props, hold the essential interest. Still, the rooms flow like great dialogue. Nothing jars; nothing upsets the rhythm of the place. All is quiet save for birdsong.

The home is set within thirteen acres and abuts preserved land – thus ensuring its seclusion and peace in perpetuity. The main house includes three bedrooms, a high vaulted open plan living area, and a magnificent floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. There is a sophisticated modern kitchen with a view-to-die-for breakfast banquette and large open-air decks with eyrie vistas.

The detached two-car garage has additional accommodation, including an exercise room/office/studio with a bathroom.  Down by the lake are 300 ft of private shoreline and a large, rare and grandfathered-in dock. 

I learned that Waccabuc is a popular area for creatives. Actors, writers and artists like to live hereabouts and I can understand why. In 1956 Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller were married in the home of Miller’s literary agent just across the lake. 

Could you do with a place like this? Trust me, there is a chair outside in the clean, aromatic air overlooking the lake, with your name on it.