The home demonstrates the many wonderful things that a talented architect starting with a blank sheet of paper can do.
“This is a beautiful Tudor home that begs you to come inside. It is a welcoming house. And, although it is 6,500 square feet, it has rooms that are cozy,” said the agent handling the sale, Lois Siegal of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England.
The home is at 33 Mountain Farms Road in West Hartford.
First impressions are made while on the gravel driveway that ends in a circle at the front door. Here, the stonework surrounding the main entrance is impressive, but not nearly as impressive as a first impression formed when seeing the interior.
“Entering this house is a ‘wow’ experience,” said Siegal. “It has a soaring two-story foyer that offers views through the great room out to the pool and patio area at the rear of the home.” An open stairway to the second floor features carefully crafted wood paneling while a set of French doors can close off the great room and a wood floor adds warmth.
As for the great room, its sense of space is enhanced by a vaulted ceiling that rises to the top of the second floor. Below that, built-ins provide shelving with ample room for books, family treasures, and heirlooms. This room, which can easily accommodate a grand piano, also opens to the second floor hallway, which adds visual drama.
The nearby family room has one of the home’s three fireplaces. Here, there is beautiful butternut wood paneling along with crown molding and large windows that provide enticing views of the professionally landscaped grounds featuring an in-ground gunite pool and waterfall.
“The eat-in kitchen is extraordinary. For a serious or casual cook it has a Sub-Zero refrigerator, Viking gas cooktop, dual ovens, two dishwashers, a bar, and a large granite island with a vegetable sink. The floor features terracotta tile. In addition, this kitchen has room to seat 12 people for casual dining and a gas fireplace. It serves as the center of the house,” Siegal said. It is easy to imagine guests and family members taking advantage of the ample room to gather in this kitchen during get-togethers.
The dining room, which is just a few steps away from the kitchen, features a unique ceiling treatment, crown molding, and a custom wood floor. Here, diners, in addition to enjoying a meal, can take in the views of the grounds at the rear of the house through large windows.
33 Mountain Farms Road, West Hartford
The first-floor primary bedroom suite is sensational by any standard. “The view from the primary suite of the yard and the pool is outstanding. And, it has the most extraordinary bathroom. There are honey onyx counters and heated honey onyx floors. The two separate closets at opposite ends of the bathroom are artfully designed, and no matter how much clothing you have, it all should fit in these two closets,” Siegal said.
Each closet is connected to a separate dressing room and, “…there are two sinks, two toilets, a bidet, a steam shower, and a soaking tub. It offers a true spa experience,” she added. Two half baths and a laundry room complete the first floor.
“The second floor has four bedrooms and redone marble and granite bathrooms. It’s very pleasant,” Siegal said. Two of the bedrooms share a nearby bath that is off the hall. At the other end of the house are two more bedrooms and a bath. This area, with a bedroom, nursery, large hall closet, and full bath can be separate and private, Siegal said.
The lower level holds fully finished living spaces as well as a workshop, storage areas, mechanical systems, and a garage with space for three cars and a generous array of recreational and maintenance equipment. This garage is reached by a paved driveway that is separate from the front drive that ends at the home’s entry.
33 Mountain Farms Road, West Hartford
Among the finished areas of the lower level are a bedroom and full bath, which would be ideal for guests or an au pair. There are also a fully equipped exercise room and a very nicely finished rec room. The exercise equipment in the gym will stay with the house.
The highlight of the lower level, however, has to be the home theater. “It is outstanding, having been designed by internationally acclaimed theater designer Theo Kalomirakis. It’s great for viewing TV or movies,” Siegal said.
It seats 10 in extreme comfort and all of the video and audio equipment that make this home theater outstanding will remain with the home for the enjoyment of the next owners. The rec room is next to the theater and provides an ideal venue for a gathering after a movie, TV show, or a broadcast sporting event.
“This property, with 1.3 acres, is exceptional. That provides ample room for the heated gunite pool with a waterfall, play and eating areas, and entertaining areas,” Siegal said.“The flat yard also has a gazebo and pergola along with a pool house that has a half bath and changing facilities,” she added.
“I love going there, being there. It is truly a one-of-a-kind home” Siegal said. “The owners call it a hidden gem in a highly desirable neighborhood. Though it feels secluded and private, it is just minutes from West Hartford Center, Blue Back Square, and other towns,” Siegal said. “There is nothing like it in West Hartford.”
Info Box:
Built: 1979
Price: $1,725,000
Style: Tudor
Rooms: 14
Bedrooms: 6
Baths: 4 full; 3 half
Square footage: 6,562
Acreage: 1.3
Mill rate: 44.78
Open house: Sunday August 2, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Best Feature: This “hidden gem” is located in a wonderful neighborhood, yet it feels secluded and private despite being close to shopping centers and services.
Contact: Lois Siegal
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England
860-463-5463
lsiegal@bhhsne.com