Even before you step through the front door of Legendary Santa Fe Gallerist Linda Durham's remarkable home, you sense her curatorial touch. Large, contemporary sculptures sit along the drive like silent heralds of her artistic taste and spirit...
A charming patio is just through the turquoise doorway...
Then you step into the foyer and you know you're in for a very
special visual adventure...
A magnificent chandelier hangs from a high,beamed (vigas) ceiling and doorways lead into intriguing hallways and rooms, hung with beautifully-curated art.
When Linda bought this 5,000 square-foot, five-private-acre property ten years ago, all the walls were painted a nondescript off -white. Linda immediately hired her friend, artist Michael Cochran, to re-paint all the walls and cabinets throughout the house. "Our collaboration thrilled me," she says.
ART IS EVERYWHERE..
Linda owned a successful gallery on Santa Fe's famous Canyon Road for over 30 years, but she has been collecting all of her life. The expansive walls in every room in the house have provided her with the perfect 'stage' to display her
ever-growing and changing collection.
The corridors connect every room...
T H E G R E A T R O O M
And, it is indeed great; a perfect baronial room for entertaining, which Linda
has done so beautifully for the decade she and Francois-Marie
have lived in this magical home.
"I loved entertaining here - private art events, dinner parties, salons and workshops. The house is versatile and spacious and has such interesting rooms and corridors, a big kitchen, patios, and fireplaces; a casual elegance that made people feel at home."
Perfect size room for a grand piano...
T H E K I T C H E N
This is one of Linda's favorite rooms. The cabinets look like sky/cloud paintings, and the professional stove is to die for. "My son Rocky is the Exec. Chef at Sunrise Springs Spa Resort, and he thinks this is the best stove in Santa Fe! My daughter is also a great chef, and over the years we've had well-known chefs cook masterful meals in this kitchen."
The light is wonderful in the house with lots of windows and skylights. The cozy eating nook's leaded glass window is charming and inviting...
There are 3 1/2 bathrooms and
there's a great well, so water is never a problem!
And I love the bedroom (there are 3) with the double fireplace...
T H E D I N I N G R O O M
Serene and beautiful and filled with art.
The vistas surrounding the house and the extraordinary Santa Fe
sky are pure eye candy...
Q. What will you miss most about leaving Santa Fe?
A. My friends, of course, and the amazing sky as well as the orange and pink sunrise.
Q. This is a very special house. What did you feel the moment you walked inside for the first time?
A. That it was just waiting to surround me; that it offered me room to dream. I loved it instantly and made an offer the second time I looked at it!
Q. Who do you see living in your house after you move to Mexico?
A. Musicians, poets, philosophers, painters, sculptors, actors, entertainers, inventors, entrepreneurs, novelists, well-traveled individuals, and collectors who want to showcase their art wonderfully.
CONTACT - LINDA DURHAM
T. 505 - 466 - 4001
E. lindalavega@gmail.com
