Dual staircases convey the visitor to the front entry, where glass-paned French doors open to the foyer and grand hall. Three crystal chandeliers provide lighting to the hall, which ends in a second set of French doors.
“(The original owner) wanted the ability to see all the way through to the pool area (from the foyer,)” said Andrew Gaydosh, listing Realtor for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Big Hill. “They actually can use this as an entertainment or staging area for guests.
“From this room you can access pretty much all of the house — even the lower level,” he continued, indicating multiple sets of pocket doors off the hall. “She could close off different rooms depending on the type of entertaining she was doing.”
Entertaining can be formal or informal — indoors or out. Nearly every room on the main level has at least one set of French doors opening to the veranda where guests can take in the sight of the koi pond’s fountain that is ringed with matched maple trees. In the rear, an extended brick patio leads to a limestone and marble in-ground pool. Beyond that, a large concrete pad can host a tent for large outdoor affairs.
Six built-in cases display china in the formal dining room, which was fashioned around an antique serving credenza. Inlaid hardwood floors and four-piece crown molding are other features of the room where another set of pocket doors leads to the library — also accessible from the grand hall. Bookcase/display units in each corner augment the large open bookcase behind the desk.
From the library, access is made to the main bedroom suite, which has a New Orleans feel. The main bedroom has two sets of doors to the veranda and a huge walk-in closet with a large, marble-topped island. Across the hall, the home’s elevator descends to the lower level so clothing can be moved easily to the seasonal storage closet in the lower level.
An oversized walk-in shower and a free-standing soaking tub are features of the main bathroom, which also opens to the veranda. Two vanities are separated by a make-up table — vanities in all the baths are topped with marble.
“And all the full bathrooms — there are four of them — have heated floors,” Gaydosh said.
Other unique features of the bath are the sitting area, which can accommodate a full-sized chaise, and an icemaker for refreshing drinks while soaking or lounging.
The restaurant-quality kitchen is open to the great room. Two long counters are again topped with marble as is the 15-foot-by-5-foot work island/breakfast bar. Wine coolers and top-of-the-line refrigerator/freezers populate the kitchen, as do four dishwashers for easy cleanup. Commercial-grade appliances include a grill, a six-burner gas range, warming ovens and two convection ovens.
Behind the kitchen, a laundry with two washers and four dryers doubles as a space for caterers to work during large parties.
The great room has a large limestone fireplace set into a recess which includes space for log storage. Several built-in shelf units and a salt-water aquarium are other features of the room. The kitchen/great room area has direct access to a screened portion of the veranda that has views of formal landscaping.
Four bedrooms radiate from the media room in the lower level. Each has access to the lower veranda, which is paved with brick. Two bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms while the other two share a connecting bath.
Off the laundry area is the climate-controlled, two-story greenhouse. With a brick floor, the greenhouse also has direct access to the open brick patio.
“Depending on where you are at, the grounds have 50 to 100 feet of wooded area to separate you from the 200 acres of nature reserve surrounding the house on three sides,” Gaydosh said.
About the Author