Stylish entertaining is easy-breezy in this magnificent stone and clapboard manse in Riverside that lets the inside out and the outside in. Credit not only the interior design of this 5-year-old, 15,861-square-foot house — with its stone, wood and glass touches — but all the amenities in it. Start with the formal dining room with its custom-built, glass-enclosed bar. The exquisite formal living room has a double-story ceiling anchored by an oversized limestone fireplace — one of four in the home — that was inspired by the Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel in Manhattan.
A wall of windows that flood with sunlight during the day fold back and blur the lines between the dining room and a relaxing, expansive terrace with a fire pit just beyond. The library, complete with fireplace, and a gym/office also have outdoor access.
In the sophisticated kitchen, Martha Stewart types will savor the expert appointments — including stainless-steel countertops; two islands, one with marble countertops and seating for six; a two-oven 60-inch Wolf range with a custom hood; a steamer oven; two refrigerators; two refrigerators drawers; four freezers; three sinks; two dishwashers; a baker’s rack; a custom pot rack; and a handy cook’s built-in planning desk with abundant storage.
The breakfast area seats 10 and can easily accommodate formal events or casual meals. A bright glass breezeway offers a view of the emerald grounds while leading to the relaxed refinement of the family room, which has a 12-foot beamed ceiling, a striking fireplace and access to an inviting three-season mahogany-paneled porch. One of three gorgeous custom staircases with 6-foot-wide risers transports you to a second-story balcony overlooking the entryway.
On the second floor, the master wing offers a secluded, self-sufficient owners’ retreat, accessed via a private gallery and vestibule. Spacious and elegant with four exposures, the master bedroom boasts a sitting area, a gas fireplace, a handsome his/hers dressing room, a light-filled bath with Waterworks accoutrements, book-matched marble surfaces, a soaking tub and a secluded separate room for the indoor-outdoor spa shower. Floor-to-ceiling French doors open to a Juliet balcony and a generous deck perfect for enjoying sunsets. A staircase from the deck affords you direct access to the backyard and the pool. There are four additional en-suite bedrooms to complete the second floor, while two additional en-suite bedrooms on the third floor feature a homework/sitting room with a wet bar catering to family or guests.
The young — or maybe just the young at heart — will appreciate the lower level with its 10-foot ceilings and lots of natural light in a media/billiards room, an enormous playroom and a crafts room. Completing this floor are two bedrooms for staff/guests, two full baths and a convenient laundry room. (In all, the house has nine bedrooms, nine full bathrooms and three half-baths.)
A relaxing, resort-like pool and spa feature a pergola-draped terrace with automatic rolling covers, refreshing misters and paddle fans. A deeded Long Island Sound access —just past 2 fenced, gated acres of sweeping, velvety lawns, stately specimen trees and perennial flower gardens filled with hydrangeas and thousands of roses in colors for every season — faces western sunsets and idyllic Riverside Yacht Club.
But then, you have your own little club, don’t you — complete with an expansive courtyard, graced by two arched stone porte-cocheres, that can hold dozens of cars and two stone garages for up to 12 more. (One is presently being used as an indoor basketball court.)
Just put the guest sign-in book on an oak table in the fluid front-to-back entrance hall and watch a fun-filled summer unfold.
The house is on the market for $16,350,000. For more, call Steve Archino at 203-618-3144.
