The entry foyer was inspired by the Governor’s Mansion in Hartford,
This luxury home takes full advantage of its Talcott Mountain setting
Capturing the essence of the home at 17 Cobtail Way in a single sentence is not easy. However, Brigitte Richter of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty managed to do just that when she said, “This is an outstanding one-of-a-kind house in Simsbury.” This colonial, designed by Jack Kemper, stands out for its architecture, floor plan, mountain top views, and incredible attention to detail inside and out.
“The stone façade is granite,” Richter said. Other exterior features that add to the home’s appeal include the portico that shelters the main entrance, the symmetry of the design with its large windows and two massive chimneys, a circular drive, and professional landscaping.
At the rear of the home there are mountain top views. These can be enjoyed from inside, thanks to large windows, or from outside using the lower level bluestone patio, the first-floor deck, or second-floor deck. The added height of this second deck, which is connected to the lower deck by a spiral staircase, offers the most incredible views from the home, Richter said.
“It is a fantastic house that I will enjoy showing,” she added.
The entry foyer was inspired by the Governor’s Mansion in Hartford, which means the stairway to the second floor starts at the side of the hall, so as not to interfere with a sightline that extends to the sunroom and beyond. An impressive array of windows in the sunroom allows for an unfettered look over the valley beyond the home.
“The view really draws you in when you open the front door,” Richter said.
The entry hall also gives a preview of the craftsmanship and attention to detail that is obvious, without being overwhelming, throughout the home.
“I think one of the most stunning features in the house are the random width (Georgia) pine floors used throughout, even the bathrooms,” Richter said. “They give the house the feel of a country estate. The only tile is in the mudroom, and in the sunroom they used the same stone used on the façade to take this detail of the house into the interior.”
As for the millwork, “There is triple crown molding,” Richter said. “There is wainscoting in the formal rooms, the hallways have five-foot high beadboards and dentil moldings are featured in the formal living room. It is really magnificent. Everything is done carefully and thoughtfully to give the house a really rich look. It is all very enjoyable,” she said.
The first floor features formal living and dining rooms, each with a gas-burning fireplace, and a large and inviting kitchen with a breakfast nook sized to handle even larger informal dining parties.
The kitchen has ample counter space, beautiful cabinets with ample room for storing all the essentials needed for gourmet cooking and fine dining. A brick accent wall has another fireplace next to built-in double ovens, while a six-burner cooktop is centered in the large kitchen island.
Other kitchen highlights include ample lighting, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, and a Miele dishwasher. The kitchen has a direct connection to the dining room through a butler’s pantry, which offers more storage space, and it is open to an inviting family room that also has a fireplace along with magnificent views of the valley. Adding to the family room’s appeal is a cathedral ceiling with exposed wood beam trusses.
Another highlight of the first floor is a home office with built-in bookcases and cabinets. It is close to the mudroom entrance and accesses a nearby half bath, which means a business meeting could take place with no need for clients to traipse through the rest of the home. The first floor also has a second half bath, direct access to the three-car garage, and a rear stairway that leads to the lower level and second floor.
The primary bedroom suite is on the second floor. It offers a large sleeping area, more breathtaking views of the valley, a very large walk-in closet, and a bath that is fit for a luxury spa. A jetted soaking tub is centrally located with a large dual sink vanity, glass shower, and a separate room for the commode along the outer walls. Also in this primary bath is the home’s fifth fireplace, which is shared with the primary bedroom area.
Four other bedrooms, three with attached full baths, complete the second floor. Two of the bedrooms can be turned into a suite by opening a pocket door. These two rooms are close to the rear stairs and the garage, making this an ideal setup for guests or intergenerational living.
The lower level has a large gym with direct access to the bluestone patio. Its luxury vinyl flooring should stand up to years of enthusiastic exercise routines. “You could also have a playroom down there,” Richter said. Completing the lower level are a wine cellar and ample space for storage and a workshop.
The landscaping takes full advantage of the natural features of the 2.1-acre lot. Highlights include a Japanese garden with a waterfall, two bridges and fish pond.
The home’s Simsbury location is ideal, Richter said. The home is near Avon, West Hartford, and Bradley International Airport. As for the neighborhood, “The Cobtail Way community is wonderful,” Richter said, adding that it is close to many services and recreational options, including public golf courses and equestrian facilities. This simply makes this one-of-a-kind home even more attractive.
Information:
Built: 1998
Architect: Jack Kemper
Price: $1,595,000
Style: Colonial
Property Internet address: www.17cobtailwy.com
Rooms: 12
Bedrooms: 5
Baths: 4 full; 2 half
Square footage: 6,725 including the lower level living space
Acreage: 2.10
Mill rate: 31.82
Best Feature: Architecture and a floor plan that takes advantage of the spectacular views
Contact: Brigitte Richter
William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty
45 East Main Street, Avon
brichter@wpsir.com
860-205-3833
