Asked to sum up the impressions most people form when they first enter this colonial style home, real estate agent Rhonda Reiner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England did not hesitate.
“This home feels substantial. It is welcoming and it could easily be a forever home,” she said. Reiner is the agent handling the sale.
In part, that substantial feeling comes from the quality construction of the home at 15 Rushleigh Road in West Hartford. But it is also a reflection of the rooms that offer ample space and a floor plan that provides a wonderful flow when entertaining, yet excels at meeting the needs of daily living.
A visit starts at the highly attractive eight-panel front door, which features eye catching stained glass sidelights. Beyond that is the entry foyer, with its open stairway to the second floor and direct access to the large living room, the formal dining room, and the eat-in kitchen.
The living room extends across the entire width of the first floor. This provides a significant amount of room for gatherings of all sizes, and with windows on three sides of the room, there is ample natural light. The focal point is undoubtedly the brick fireplace, one of three in the home, with its handsome millwork. A hardwood floor adds warmth.
The formal dining room has more hardwood flooring and a bay window for visual interest and views of the large yard. It is connected directly to a chef’s kitchen, which offers ample room for the chef and several helpers, as well as a table and chairs for informal meals. The kitchen has granite counters with a surface cooktop and two built-in ovens along the outer wall. A countertop peninsula provides additional work space and, on the opposite wall, there is a desk for keeping track of menus and other household matters. A dishwasher flanks the sink, which offers a beautiful view of the oversized lot with its mature trees. Adding to the home’s flexibility when entertaining, a large elevated rear deck is accessible from the kitchen’s informal eating area. Once on the deck, which overlooks the backyard, steps take you down to the paver patio below that surrounds the in-ground heated pool with its electrically operated pool cover. Privacy in this area is assured by an attractive fence.
Just beyond the kitchen is the great room. Here, the focal point has to be a fireplace that uses stone for a more rustic look. It is surrounded by built-in bookcases over enclosed cabinetry. Exposed ceiling beams, hardwood flooring, and post-and-beam woodwork along one wall enhance this room’s appeal.
A separate laundry room that can also be reached from the kitchen provides a second path to the rear deck. A half bath off the entry foyer completes the first floor.
The second floor has the home’s five bedrooms and three full baths. The highlight has to be the primary suite, with its ample room, recently refinished hardwood floor, three large closets and a fully tiled bath, complete with a shower fit for a spa. The other four bedrooms are also nicely sized, have hardwood floors and ample closet space. These are served by two full bathrooms off the second floor hall.
This home takes advantage of the slope of the lot to offer a walkout lower level. Here, there are large windows and a slider that goes to the patio and the in-ground pool. “This lower level room is very large and it can be used in so many ways,” Reiner said. “It could be a family or playroom, a home theater, or a gym.” The area includes a fireplace, a full bath with a shower and walk-in closet. A separate mechanical room offers more than 300 square feet for storage and a home workshop. This room also has stairs with direct access to the attached three-car garage. This is an ideal arrangement, allowing service personnel to access the home’s mechanical systems without having to go through the main house. Two of the three bays in the garage have extended length.
“They are very deep,” Reiner said. “You could almost get two cars in, one behind the other,” she said. This provides ample room for storing tools and recreational equipment without having to leave a vehicle outside. In addition, this home has benefitted from numerous updates and offers luxury amenities. Among these is a whole-house backup generator that is ready to provide power in the event of an outage
Beyond the fenced-in pool area, mature trees enhance the feeling of privacy in the large lot. Reiner points out that the yard has tremendous potential with room for more plantings and expansion of the property’s walking paths.
“This home is in a beautiful area, just off of Mountain Road,” Reiner said. “Its aesthetics give it a warm and cozy look and the neighborhood is excellent.” West Hartford is also noted for having exceptional schools.
Adding to its appeal, this home is close to shopping, numerous restaurants, a wide range of services, medical facilities, and recreational opportunities. Blue Back Square and Westfarms Mall are just a short drive away as are the business centers of downtown Hartford and Avon. Bradley International Airport is also easily reached.
“This home is beautiful. It’s got a great oversized lot, large rooms, and a massive partially finished basement,” Reiner said. “This is a home that can adapt to any lifestyle.”
Info:
Built: 1973
Price: $925,000
Style: Garrison Colonial
Rooms: 9 Plus finished lower level
Bedrooms: 5
Baths: 4.5
Square footage: 4,835
Acreage: 1.1
Mill rate: 44.78
Best Feature: Ample space and a large yard makes it ideal for daily living and entertaining parties of all sizes.
Contact: Rhonda Reiner
John Lepore
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England
860-729-3001