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With a feature story in the upcoming November 2010 People & Places issue of Architectural Digest, San Francisco Bay Area design firm Martin Perri Interiors is showing off its big-league prowess. The issue will profile the firm’s recently completed project for New York Yankees ace pitcher CC Sabathia’s new home in the New York City suburb of Alpine, New Jersey.
“In the design world, a feature in Architectural Digest is the equivalent of a perfect game,” explains Martin Perri Interiors president and design chief Martin P. Mitchell, “just as rare, just as much work and just as memorable and rewarding.”
What caught the attention of Architectural Digest when there are hundreds of professional athletes with fabulous homes?
“I think Architectural Digest looks for a lot more than just large, extravagant homes,” Mitchell observes. “They are looking for design that truly integrates the home’s architecture, its surroundings, and its resident’s design preferences, comfort and lifestyle.”
Of course a little “wow” factor doesn’t hurt either, and Sabathia’s 17,000 square foot estate home, located on a 2-acre site in the wooded hills of this Manhattan suburb, has plenty to go around.
Outside, its old world French chateau style draws visitors in like Sabathia’s own trademark changeup pitch – classical at first look, but then watch out. Inside, the home delivers a fresh, comfortable, livable re-interpretation where tradition gives way to the Sabathia’s preference for contemporary elements and clean lines.
While Architectural Digest focused its lenses on the home’s impressive living areas – its two-story, open-center foyer, grand dining and living rooms, outdoor living spaces; and master suite – the unique rooms draw the biggest “oohs” and “aahs”, even from Phillies fans.
A recreation mezzanine overlooking the large indoor basketball court, a movie-sized theater and screening room with snack-bar lobby, the family-room’s exotic saltwater aquarium, and the his-and-hers styling salon are all extra-base hits. But the grand slam is in the Sabathia’s private suite – separate dressing lounges that more closely resemble a clothing boutique, complete with large plasma televisions, beverage centers and specialized storage for every type of clothing, footwear and accessory.
Designing homes for celebrity athletes isn’t anything new for Mitchell. His firm did Sabathia’s prior West Coast home, and his extensive clientele includes other football, basketball and baseball sports figures as well.
“It’s thrilling to get this type of opportunity and then receive this level of recognition and exposure,” Mitchell says of the Architectural Digest coverage of his Sabathia work,” but as every team knows, you win most games with a lot of singles; the grand slams are few and far between.”
