The Soul of Tree Road: A Time Capsule and a Homecoming

At Chokdee Properties, we believe that every home has a "soul"—a collection of memories and energy left behind by those who loved the space before us. Usually, our job is to modernize and move forward. But at Tree Road, the house insisted we look back first.

A Time Capsule in the Attic

The story began when we purchased the home from June, a longtime resident who had lived there as a widow for many years after her husband, Carmine, passed away. When we began the restoration, we weren't prepared for the discovery tucked away in the rafters.

Opening the attic door was like stepping onto the fashion floor of a 1960s department store. We found an incredible collection of mid-century millinery and apparel, perfectly preserved in their original boxes.

• Saks-34th Treasures: We found pristine straw hats in original Saks-34th wrapping. Since that legendary store across from Macy’s closed its doors in 1965, these pieces are rare snapshots of a bygone era of New York glamour.
• Macy’s Herald Square: Alongside them were vintage Macy’s boxes from the days when the "World's Largest Store" was the center of the fashion universe.
• A Life of Style: From purple velvet toques to intricate floral-appliqué sun hats and patent leather pumps, it was clear that June lived with immense flair and intention.

"Doing it Right"

During the gut renovation, we felt a responsibility to honor that flair. A neighbor, who had helped care for the home while June lived there, often stopped by to watch our progress. After weeks of seeing our attention to detail, he gave us the highest praise we could ask for: "You’re doing June’s home right."

That connection went beyond the construction. We couldn't bear to let June’s style disappear. My wife kept several of the beautifully tailored winter coats and wears them every winter now—a living tribute to the woman who made this house a home. We’ve kept the collection of hats as well; they aren't just objects, they are the "DNA" of Tree Road.

The Return of Carmine

The renovation was a success, but the real "goosebump" moment didn't happen until the very end. We sat down at the closing table to hand over the keys to a wonderful new family. They had a newborn baby with them, and as we were talking, they introduced him.

His name was Carmine.

A hush fell over the room and goosebumps filled the air. Decades after the original Carmine had passed away, a new Carmine was moving back in to start his life there. It felt as though the house had come full circle—as if the original spirit of the home was giving us a nod of approval.

Our Philosophy

At Chokdee, we don't just "flip" properties. Whether we are facilitating a custom build or restoring a legacy home like Tree Road, we honor the history of the people who came before us and build for the futures of the families who come after.

Tree Road taught us that when you do things the right way, the house has a way of saying "thank you." We’re just glad we could help Carmine come home.