Cheshire, CT

This 3,400-square-foot custom ranch is nestled among trees with winter views of the reservoir. Upon entering through 8′ tall, solid wood double doors, a striking stone accent wall frames the view into the great room. The dining room and office, on either side of the foyer, feature matching custom wood doors that maintain the home’s cohesive design.

Though spacious, the home feels warm and inviting with an open floor plan and a 16′ Marvin accordion bifold glass door opening to a raised patio and deck. Built into the deck and elevated 12′ above grade, the patio overlooks the backyard, with a cable rail system and stair riser lights providing ambient glow at night. The integrated covered bluestone patio includes phantom retractable screens for buggy nights.

Designed for entertaining, the kitchen boasts Kountry Kraft cabinetry, a white oak island, painted perimeter cabinets, and Akdo Desert Fusion velvet quartzite countertops. A zinc hood over the stove adds flair. The powder room features a solid wood wall-hung vanity, ship lap walls, and a light tunnel. The wet bar includes floating lighted shelves with a zinc top, while the butler’s pantry has a zebra wood counter, built-in warming drawer, and wine refrigerator. The home’s 5″ rift cut character grade white oak hardwood floors enhance the aesthetic.

The great room includes a thin stone gas linear fireplace and rustic custom wood beams. The primary suite is a luxurious retreat with an illuminated barrel vaulted wood ceiling, private raised deck access, and a room-sized California closet with an island. The en suite bath offers a walk-through stone shower and Kountry Kraft custom cabinetry.

At the opposite end of the house, two bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bath, each with a private water closet and vanity space. The dining room, with shallow coffers and wainscot walls, opens to a front covered bluestone patio. The 700’+ illuminated driveway features a patterned paver circular front entrance. The home includes a discreet whole-house fire suppression system and high-end variable speed heating and cooling for comfort and energy efficiency.

The full 9′ walk-out basement houses the mechanicals and is prepped for a future golf simulator.

Challenges included elevation changes, water runoff, and subsurface groundwater. An underground water management system, terraced stone retaining walls, and integrating the raised covered bluestone patio into the deck addressed these issues. The effort was well worth it.