A Great Deal at $450,000! From an 1879 Hip-roofed hunting-lodge to…
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FUNCTIONAL PLEASURE THAT GOES WITH A CAREFULLY DESIGNED STRUCTURE, PLACED IN A SETTING OF GARDENS & TREES WITH ALL THE SECLUSION DESIRED!
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| Bedrooms | 3 |
| Full Baths | 2 |
| Half Baths | 0 |
| Heated Sq. Ft. | 2,550 |
| Stories | 2.0 |
| Acres | 1.8 |
| Lot Size |
| 400+'x175' plus |
| Property Taxes |
| $ 9031.36 |
| Assessed Tax Value |
| Valuation varied: |
Features.
- 1st Floor Bath
- 1st Floor Bedroom
- Attic
- Basement
- Den
- Dining room
- Dry Basement
- Foyer
- Galley Kitchen
- Laundry Room
- Library
- Living room
- Music Room
- Study
- Sunroom
- Utility Room
- Master bedroom upstairs
- Carport
- Circular driveway
- Driveway - Dirt
- Fresh paint
- Garden
- 5 Outbuildings
- Patio
- Porch
- Rear Deck
- Storage Building
- Storm Windows
- Built-in Bookcases
- Built-in Cabinets
- Carpet
- Ceiling Fans
- Ceramic Tile
- 2 Fireplaces
- High Ceilings
- Wood floors
- Shingle Roof
- Dishwasher
- Oil Heating
- Range
- Refrigerator
- Septic Tank
- Water Heater - Electric
- 12-foot Ceilings
- Hand-hewn Beams
- Sleeping Porch
- 1000 Gal. septic tank
- 5 fire extinguishers
- balcony w/ Teak Lounge
- Chairlift
- Dryer, front loading
- Washer, front-loading
- Well water.newish pump
- Wooded lot
THIS IS A CUSTOM-MADE HOUSE, WRAPPED AROUND AN 1879 STONE CORE...
BUT -EXACTLY- HOW DID THE UNPRETENTIOUS STONE LODGE BECOME SUCH AN ATTRACTIVE, 20TH C., FUNCTIONAL, EASY-LIVING CUSTOM-MADE HOME?
Because that’s what it is! ie: A CUSTOM HOME derived from the dreams of a young buyer in the ‘50’s, conveyed to an architect whose skill shaped my dreams on paper (with function first, but aesthetics as important) and ended up shaping my whole life. It could not happen overnight---since to implement it required building, over 50 years, at 10–15 year intervals, until the dream came true!
1961: The first necessity was a ground floor bath and kitchen; & this gave us the opportunity for a little luxury: the kitchen was planned very efficiently: - no more than a few steps to move in any direction, and four counters to work on, one of them a butcher’s block. The floor was slate painted gray. The width of the floor made it possible to insert a large closet in the bath. And the rest of the space facing south,- the optimum direction for dining, - prompted us to surround it with glass: a light and bright, airy room, open to all outdoors, w/ all the animals and plants visible.
These areas, as practcal as they were then, were not perfect, and over 50 years, required periodic repair or renovation, & were replaced, several times; from gutting the walls out, to a mere replacement of appliances, the last in 2015. Some mistakes were hilarious. We did not make them again.
1975: The spacious, airy, multiple windowed bedroom suites, plus a south facing balcony, 6 huge closets, and a large attic fan, brought us close to luxury, with space for each, for a desk, or a tea table. We have enjoyed these rooms in “sickness and in health” as they say, and I have never had to envy my friends- they always envied me!
1990: The spectacular, multi-functional Porch/ Sunroom/Guest Room turned out to be our “Necessary Room” & “Hospitality Suite”; the place where guests loved to stay. On the West side,(all windows, and with front and back entrances, a few steps to kitchen & bath) was originally designed to be the haven of a partially disabled elder whose need for space for a hospital bed had overtaken him. Fortunately it was never needed, but it became the most coveted space in the house for guests (and their guests). As well, it provided extra space for parties, and allowed me to set up a “POP-UP shop” from time to time and to hold “book groups”. All the while, the big closet offered storage, TV, guest closet; there is 20’of bench storage, many lights, outlets, A.C, a fan, & the Deck and Patio steps away.
1991: Finally my dreamed-of 3000 volume Library (the upper floor of the tower) came into being, with its multiple work space, outlets, and the spacious foyer below, behind an elegant entrance. (It had to be, because the books were overloading the ceiling beams, and the weight was visible!)
2006-2009: Among the myriad tasks finished these years, the Deck & Patio were added, a 3-bay carport, the pond and cement benches, out-door furniture, other outbuildings, a 1000 Gal. septic system and all new piping to & from both baths, a new on-demand water heater, renovations to the kitchen (twice) and both bathrooms (twice), the well was re-dug, a new pump (170’) installed;( that one was replaced c.. 2007); all the outbuildings re-roofed and painted, 2 new doors upstairs, and new windows all thru the old house and much of the dining room; Washer & Dryer both replaced, a new generator installed (after Sandy) and all current repairs and renovations addressed as needed.... I am still at it.
But there it is – the step by step evolution- over 10-15 years intervals as our busy lives, businesses and money allowed. Each step contributed to the next because we had the benefit of hindsight, thru the mistakes we made that were not made again. And we learned that good materials and workers are worth their salt. The ceiling joists were often doubled, the insulation also multiplied; and the result was a house that is warm in winter and cool in summer, at very low cost. And all the rooms are very light and bright, even the little Den-(my room in the old stone cottage, now my computer room).
The aesthetic result is also incredible; our guests enjoyed our many parties through the years, but also their longer stays. None of them could boast the view from the Dining Room; or the unique Living Room with its stone walls and fireplace. None had a south-facing guest room with its own balcony. And none of them had a Library- large or small!
Also- our “NECESSARY ROOM’- the Sunroom/porch (which provided space for an elder or returning student- or guest-for private space,) was a harbinger; an area which contractors are just now adding to new houses, for the same purpose.
In every respect, the house provides liveability and flexibility plus CLASS, which is not found very often in the usual cookie-cutter abode.
Living here all these years is the best revenge! I will hate to leave it.
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RECAP: forget how it happened..- here is what you get:
The centerpiece of the house is a charming hip-roofed stone cottage, once a hunting lodge, built in 1879 on 1.793 acres, on a secluded hilltop flag lot, that has been lovingly expanded 5 times from 1964-2002. The most compelling room, reached thru the Tower foyer-music room entrance, is the welcoming, stone-walled LIVING ROOM, w/ a large fireplace, and hand-built, exposed, full 2”x12’ oak ceiling beams & gleaming hard-wood floor.
This is the ample, original, first floor of the stone core of the structure, and it is every- one's favorite place for a big party or a cozy quiet at-home evening.
But the most delightful room in the house is the glassed-in DINING ROOM with its ever-changing views of the gardens, birds and animals. Guests love lingering here for good talk and wine.
THERE ARE 11 ROOMS INCLUDING THE 5 ADDITIONS DESCRIBED:
Beginning- w/ THE TOWER, w/ its full FOYER (down) & 3000 volume LIBRARY (up); with an elegant entrance to the Living Room. Thence to the Dining Room & to the very efficient GALLEY KITCHEN, beyond which is the FULL BATH, with its 2’x6’ closet; & finally, on the WEST side (to the glass-enclosed SLEEPING PORCH with its separate entrances to the deck and patio; & to sitting, dining, closets & sleeping area.) Here is our guest’s favorite haven (as well as our returning students or visiting elders) and for more party space.
The second floor has 5 five rooms, and another full bath, & includes the LIBRARY;
TWO large front BEDROOMS each have smaller adjacent rooms, (a DEN with a sleeping nook & FIREPLACE; and an ample OFFICE). The south bedroom has a pleasant BALCONY, with a teak lounge. 11 of the 16 large closets in the house are upstairs.
The BASEMENT has a finished LAUNDRY/CRAFT area, and a partly finished FURNACE room, housing the oil tank and ample storage shelves.
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AMENITIES IN THE REST OF THE HOUSE
The house has extra hand-holds, railings wherever needed and a chairlift.
There are 4 smoke alarms, CO2 alarms, 4 fire extinguishers, and an escape ladder for the balcony.
There is no central air, but the open plan allows strategic use of the 4 ceiling fans, the 3 air conditioners, and the large attic fan to keep us cool in summer & warm in winter.
With the great insulation in all walls and attic spaces, it is an economical house to heat or cool year round.
Both baths have nearly new commodes & shower fixtures. The INSTANT HOT-WATER HEATER is also nearly new, and saves electricity. The nearly new furnace fire-box saves fuel, and for the most part all the other appliances are fairly new. All the windows in the old house as well as the dining room and downstairs bath were replaced 2002- 2009 with thermal windows.
The 5 outbuildings offer lots of storage as well as hobby use, and all have been recently re-roofed and painted. The garden has a lovely “Sit-spot” w/ table, chairs & umbrella
right outside the door, and there are wonderful hand-made tree benches, a bench under the Wisteria trellis, and 2 curved cement benches by the little pond. The large 3-bay carport is lined with shelves, 5-high and 72' long, and camouflaged curtains. And there is plenty of room for parking.
ONE INTERESTING THING IS THE EFFECT it has on new visitors: each has had the same reaction. When they get to the top of the hill and see it in gardens or snow, they always go “wow” and when they walk into the living room they go “Wow” again.
I have never had to envy richer friends because so matter how much they spend they can’t create a similar effect. It is truly a one-of-a-kind home, with still things you can do to make it your own!
3 facts you must remember: Location, Location, Location!
You can always change the house, but you’ll never get a better location.
PLEASE CALL.
WE WELCOME YOU TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.
THERE IT IS- THE BARE BONES OF IT! BUT WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO WITH IT?
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF MAKING YOUR LIVING AT HOME?
There are many opportunities for a home-based business:
(1) First the Library and Office: for an on-line business, for an accountant, writer,
tutor, off-site supplementary office,etc.
THE LIBRARY HAS 4 DESK SURFACES, MULTIPLE ELECTRIC OUTLETS, A,C,
HEAT, CEILING FAN,AND A DOOR THAT CAN BE LOCKED. Also, if you need the
space, the bookcases, which were constructed elsewhere and trucked up here, can
be easily removed.
(2) Then the GALLERY, (the biggest outbuilding); perfect for a writer, painter or
sculptor- which combines work and storage space. Has electricity & electric-
radiator.
(3) The 3-BAY CARPORT; w/ electricity, a sturdy roof, & curtained shelves; for
car-repair or a landscaper.
(4) The PORCH-SUN-ROOM with its multiple functions and separate entrances;
for a dressmaker, physichiatrist or other consulting work, a separate office or a
small "niche” POP-UP shop for clothing or accessories.
(5) All 5 out-buildings provide storage and shipping facilities.l
All right here, in a lovely spot, the whole year round.
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO WITH THIS SPACE?
(This is really doable- we had our HOME-OFFICE here & a MINI-SHOWROOM for 20
years after we closed our NYC showroom.)
THINK ABOUT IT!
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