By Joseph Montebello
Photographs by Rana Faure
The first thing one encounters turning into the driveway leading to Dana Kraus’ High Meadow Farm are the trees. Many of them—50 Norway spruce, crabapple, pear, and beech, and a small apple orchard. There are boxwoods, shrub roses, buddleia, hydrangea standards, and dappled willows. A sight to behold. One has now entered the world of beauty, peace, and tranquility that she has created.
“I used to be a runner,” explains Kraus, “and I ran the Sharon road race. Before this house was built in 1996 the race was on this road. I loved the land. When I saw the house that had been built it was perfect. It went up for sale, I was outbid. The new owner sold it again and I had just sold my home and I bought it. I loved the bones of the house, it’s so pared down. The original owners built a modern farmhouse, clean, and spare. There are views in every direction. It all speaks to me.”
In 2020 Kraus moved in and began making it her own special haven. The house needed many repairs, most of which are not visible. She added two rooms to the 3900-square-foot dwelling—a mudroom and a dining room. During Covid she created a beautiful patio—perfect for warm weather entertaining.
After a stellar career in magazine publishing where she cultivated jewelry clients, Kraus founded DK Farnum Estate Jewelry, a collection of one-of-a-kind 20th century pieces. She buys and sells entire estates, in addition to individual pieces. DK Farnum Collection is available for viewing by appointment only.
“I look for distinctive design,” she says. “I try to buy things unlike anything I’ve seen. That’s what spoke to me about this house. It was an individual’s vision that was similar to mine—pared down but it had oomph and weight and gravitas.”
Her keen eye for the unique complements her decorating sensibility. There is a seamless blending of old and new, period and modern. The house is an example of restraint and carefully curated furniture and accessories. All, of course, accentuated by the four shades of Donald Kaufman white paint. But there is an occasional element of surprise for contrast—the period wooden sideboard, the cowhide covered chairs. The neutral walls are the perfect backdrop for one of Kraus’s passions—works on paper. Included are works from the collection of gallerist Alan Stone, drawings by Gaston LaChaise, and drawings by Francoise Gilot. Various other pieces of art grace the pristine walls, including photographs by Kenzo Izu, Watanabe drawings, and a large still life of apples from her previous orchard by Eric Forstmann.
“I like drawings because I can see the progression, how the lines form and what is created. Structure. Whenever I am considering a piece of jewelry I always look at the back to see how it is constructed.”
In keeping with her pared down philosophy Kraus entertains simply and elegantly.
“The dining room is small and cozy,” says Kraus. “I can’t seat more than 12, which is fine. In good weather we have drinks outside and then sit down to dinner.”
While she is not a designer per se, Kraus finds beauty in shape and form and natural things.
“I can’t create, but I love watching the process.”
Kraus loves to garden and to cook, but does take time off when she can.
“I like to travel and try to get away to refresh my thoughts, gain new experiences. But I love coming back, savoring the beauty, the peace, and tranquility that this wonderful place has to offer.”
