One first glimpses the splendor of this substantial estate upon entering the winding drive down to a magnificent brick-paved courtyard surrounded by graceful, mature plantings. A welcoming formal front entry offers a clue to the home’s spirit, evocative of a grand Edwardian villa. The elegant embrace of comfortable, spacious rooms is defined by fine architectural detail and thoughtful amenities to create an ambience of warmth and respite.
Almost a counterpoint to the restrained interior, a broad, columned piazza spans the entire length of the house to the rear, providing commanding views over the wide valley formed by the convergence of two mountain ranges – the Taconics to the west and the Green Mountains to the east. One can also survey the expansive park-like grounds from this vantage point and listen to the gentle music of a waterfall feature tucked within the gardens edging the yard.
Granite Schist stone walls and terraces at ground level from Chester invite al fresco cooking and dining, with a cooking fireplace, beehive oven and built-in gas grill. Just beyond a ring of trees, a 50’ x 25’ heated pool is serviced by a double-bath pool house with kitchenette.
Large windows overlook this vista from all three floors of the residence, which totals approximately 13,000 square feet. Exceptional detailing includes high ceilings offset with crown moldings, cherry and hickory floors, finely crafted millwork and nine distinct hand-crafted fireplaces. Locally-mined white marble is used extensively throughout. The formal entry offers a huge coat closet to one side, and opens to a front hall featuring arched marble display niches, glassed display cases, a charming powder room and an elevator to ease movement between the floors.
The large formal living room offers several distinct sitting areas characterized by a coffered ceiling, columns, built-in entertainment bar and arched display niches. French doors open to the piazza and the beautiful views; tall windows all around the room offer built-in window seats – perfect for moments of reflection. The spacious formal dining room offers a traditionally appointed setting complemented by a sedate marble fireplace and a dramatic semi-circular wall of windows.
Chefs of every caliber will appreciate the impressive, fully equipped kitchen, where classic country hospitality meets state-of-the-art convenience. A breakfast bar constructed of 300-year old pine cozies up to wood cabinetry subtly stained mellow shades of celadon and robin’s egg. Commercial grade, stainless steel appliances are a modern counterpoint to the warm Shaker-style woodwork, a built-in baker’s table of local marble and countertops of South American granite. An adjoining sitting area enjoys a brick fireplace with its own pizza oven while the curved dining area looks out over the views, and a large heated conservatory just beyond offers a pleasant spot for relaxation with access to the piazza on one side and the passage to the guest house and a charming shade garden on the other.
Upstairs, two beautiful guest room suites, each with marble baths and a sitting area, occupy one end of a long hall, which overlooks the front hall below and offers further display niches as well as a linen closet and a large cedar closet which includes a drop ladder providing access to the attic. The master bedroom suite on the opposite end is a study in understated indulgence. A coffered ceiling accents the space, which offers a generously-sized sitting area and fireplace flanked by built-in shelves. To one side, a paneled study, another linen closet and a huge walk-in closet; to the other side, a dressing room – an enchanting circular room offset by a lovely domed ceiling faux painted as blue sky, a sweetly tiled fireplace, tall windows lined with upholstered window seats and a full wall of built-in storage cabinets, floor to ceiling – offering a wonderful space for artistic pursuits or pure reverie. The full marble bath offers double vanities, steam shower, a whirlpool tub and an enclosed water closet.
The below stairs gallery is defined by three seating areas unified by a queue of windows and French doors that access the terrace outdoors. Coffered ceilings, wood floors and extensive butternut shelving and cabinetry create a cultured atmosphere for scholarly pursuits and more light-hearted diversions. Features include three fireplaces, a drop-down media center, a large library and a multi-shelved office. There are also two ample storage rooms (one of them containing a wine closet, large Ft. Knox safe and an under counter refrigerator), a cedar closet and a three-quarter bathroom.
The separate, 3-bedroom guest house opens to a long veranda that connects to the mudroom entrance of the main residence. The house offers its own kitchen, a great room with fireplace, a game room and three large storage rooms. The attached green house contemplates the shade garden and the conservatory beyond. Across the courtyard from the guest house and on the other side of a magnificent red maple, a handsome 4-bay garage offers a second-floor, 2-bedroom staff apartment and a separate 3-bay car port. A large two-story barn some distance from the main buildings offers additional storage.
This estate has been professionally engineered in every way, with entertainment, lighting and climate control systems accessed by labeled panels in every room. The impressive array of advanced mechanical systems housed on the lower level include four Viessman furnaces, back-up generator, central vacuum system, water treatment systems and central air conditioning. The main house enjoys radiant heat, firewood dumbwaiter, laundry chute and other clever features designed for utter ease and comfort.
