Architect Julian Smith layered eras to achieve this superb home's magic – an electrifying blend of heritage and contemporary style with a welcome nod to Paris and the belle époque. The result is an elite but unselfconscious home, born to embrace the pleasures of living well.
From the main entrance, discretion rules. Here the century-old façade was conserved with the addition of a modestly scaled entry. Nothing distracts: cars are concealed in an underground garage at the rear of the house. A new irrigation system means lovingly landscaped south-facing gardens flourish under towering trees.
Enter a bright but understated reception foyer with heated black slate floors, and closet set behind five-panel French doors. Your first impression is of classic Rockcliffe patrician style. The main hall beyond reinforces the sense of an immaculate vintage home. Detailing is crafted to evoke turn-of-century warmth, from the timeless wide oak stairway with its Georgian-inspired spindles to the classic window casements and white oak plank flooring. A formal living room invites, with a gas hearth flanked by elegant windows.
The dining room opposite steps confidently into post modernity with impressive height and bistro style. In a word, it's cool. The room is bright, framed with 3 pane mullioned glass inspired by the great ateliers of Paris. The original home's brick exterior wall serves as an anchor, adding urban panache. Beyond, the home's great south facing deck invites. Summer parties flow.
A hallway invites you to the heart of this home – revealed as a grand open space framed by gorgeous European-style mullioned windows and truly French doors (complete with imported hardware from France.) The kitchen here is beyond celebrity-chef: clean-lined German-import Bulthaup cabinets ooze chic. An epic bar island invites social conviviality. Concealed appliances banish distraction. A vast breakfast table area basks in the light of an atelier-style bay. Space flows easily to the high ceilinged great room with wood hearth. This brilliant family space is a power entertainer too: gatherings of more than 100 feel un-crowded. You'll see why.
Not to be missed: the exquisite main-floor office/studio with style to spare. Newly designed custom library shelves add workability to this thoughtful enclave. Height, balance and impressive studio window and doorway to private green roof deck set the benchmark for home office. Nearby, you'll find a perfect powder room plus a cozy 'offstage' computer nook, ready for homework
Upstairs a traditional aesthetic secures private family space. A wide hall accesses children's bedrooms --each comfortably scaled with ample light and deep double closets. The main bath marries style and practicality with Duravit soaker tub and sink.
A laundry chute and deep linen closet here are touches you'd expect.
Step up to the abundantly private master suite. Space, gabled cathedral ceilings and a regal deep-set 'cube' window steal the show. But details please too: his and her walk in closets each have windows and rich walnut dressing cabinetry. The master bath beckons with a skylight bright walk in shower plus Duravit soaker tub. Heated travertine floors and mosaic backsplash define a perfect spa retreat
On the third floor, the conserved gable roofline now shelters a charming attic office plus guest suite with heritage-influenced ensuite. Comfort in the upper floors is engineered in via two separate heating and cooling units –one for the upstairs rooms, a second for the main floor and basement.
Admire the fine oak stairway to the basement. The entrance to the underground three bay garage at the back of the home is paired with a large mudroom dressing area – ideal for children's winter wear. The basement is intelligently finished: a large playroom has abundant natural light, a spacious newly added laundry room pleases, a wine cellar with 820 bottle capacity tempts connoisseurs. Plus there's a workshop, bathroom, sauna and more.
Quality is a given in this well crafted home. You notice it in details like the consistent and historically correct five panel doors as well as in the superior floorings, moldings, casement details and hardware. It is embedded throughout in solid building craft and the carefully balanced and coherent design. With options open, you'll know: move-in-ready fine homes with this level of taste and style, are exceedingly rare. Plan your appointment soon.
