Wellesley Home of the Week: 51 Ledgeways

Listing agents describe the home at 51 Ledgeways, in Wellesley Farms, as an “exquisite 1930s colonial.” It’s hard to find better words than these. This home is lovely on the outside: large and well-kept, with attractive creamy yellow siding, and black shutters. Those that like their privacy will appreciate that it is slightly hidden from the street, at the top of a hilly driveway and behind a pine tree woods on its lot at the corner of Edge Hill Road.

But it’s on the inside that this home will bowl you over. Coldwell Banker agent Jane Collinson Reidy (with co-listing agent Margaret Kunz) is listing it at $1,795,000. It’s different from your typical colonial, she notes. Three distinct sections, warm colors, hardwood floors, and delightful, mostly original design surprises are around every corner. Major, expensive renovations (landscaping of the entire property, including installation of a new rear patio and waterfall; a gut-renovated kitchen with granite finishes and top-of-the-line appliances; central air installation completed throughout the entire house; attic insulation; a new boiler and hot water tank; and fresh interior and exterior painting throughout) have been completed within the past few years.

The amenities will make it easy to move in. A layout friendly to someone who works at home, relaxes at home, and likes to entertain in style will make it easy to stay.

The home’s three sections are apparent even from the outside. From left to right, they include the raised family room (over the two-car garage, recently redone with a Garage Tek floor), the kitchen, dining room and butler’s pantry and the library/home office and raised living room (underneath two additional upstairs bedrooms). Not visible from the front but behind the living room, at the rear of the home and with its own exit to the back patio and wooded corner lot, is a three-season porch. It’s uniquely designed with three walls of windows, painted white and deeply recessed enough to place a coffee cup or wine glass. The porch is easily large enough for a dining table for four to six and a few easy chairs. It, and the bluestone patio behind, is sheltered from the neighbors’ view by trees and a natural-wood fence.

The home has two primary entrances. Both are accessed via stone steps and bluestone walkways to the right off the driveway, which curves up a hill from the street. The first set of steps runs to the front door; the second enters the kitchen through a slate-floored mudroom.

Inside the formal front entrance, the foyer is painted a warm rusty red. Trim is cream, and floors are dark-stained oak. After a small vestibule is a hallway running straight to the back of the home. A back doorway under a keystone arch leads to the back patio. To the right off the front foyer is the 15-by-15-foot library, separated from the hallway by a pocket door. It’s carpeted in understated black-and-white checks, has wood-paneled walls and built-in shelves, a wood-burning fireplace and recessed lights. Perfect for a leather couch, conducting the family affairs, and (if you are so inclined) sipping whiskey. To the left is the 15-by-13-foot dining room, painted dark teal, with chair rails. A gorgeous wrought-iron chandelier is included in the home’s sale price. The space will easily fit a table for eight and sideboard.

The 14-by-23-foot kitchen is accessed through a butler’s pantry. The butler’s pantry features black, honed-granite countertops, glass-front shelving for glassware, a mini dishwasher and sink. Kitchen walls are warm peach; granite countertops and a tiered island are mottled peach-pink and black. The island has large, double stainless sinks, room for three barstools and a built-in microwave oven; opposite it is a five-burner Wolf gas stove. An oversized Sub-Zero fridge is hidden behind white wooden cabinets, and a full-size wine fridge is on the other end of the kitchen. Plenty of cabinet space above and below the countertops allows room for dishware and groceries.

The kitchen features a particularly lovely, fireplaced, 13-by-11-foot breakfast nook. It overlooks the back patio through a row of 16-paned windows. Two easy chairs, a rug and center table currently face the brick fireplace, with distressed wood surround. A half Palladian window looks out to the mudroom and side entrance beyond. Another, possibly original, 20-paned window is easily 20 square feet and also overlooks the back patio. It’s next to French doors leading out back.

There are two ways upstairs; one set of stairs leading up from the breakfast nook goes to a family room, while a second set leads up from the front foyer to a fireplaced living room at the first landing, and bedrooms at the second level. Not to be overlooked is the beautiful natural-and-white balustrade.

The route from the breakfast nook is similar: Halfway between the first and second floors, a 19- by 19-foot family room was added to the home about six years ago. The family room has light oak floors, pale teal walls, and five skylights. Additional windows overlook the driveway and gabled windows look out on the front yard. A few more stairs from the family room finish the trip upstairs, ending in the master bedroom.

The 14-by-17-foot master is one of four bedrooms, not counting a fifth basement-level bedroom (with an en suite bath) currently used as a home gym. The entire suite is carpeted wall-to-wall in cream and has a brown marble bath with jetted soaking tub and separate shower, and a changing nook with his-and-hers double closets.

Three more bedrooms range in size from 15 by 15 feet to 13 by 12 feet, and all access a large hall bath with a tub and shower. Additionally upstairs, next to the master bedroom, is a laundry closet with a sink.

DETAILS

Address:51 Ledgeways, Wellesley, 02481

BR/BA:four bedrooms, three full and one half bath

Living area:3,580 square feet (not counting partially finished basement)

Age:1930; many recent updates

Price:$1,795,000

Taxes:$19,860 (FY12)

Close by:Wellesley Farms neighborhood of winding, hilly, tree-lined roads off Cliff Road. About a mile from Wellesley Hills with shopping, Wellesley Hills commuter rail stop to Boston, restaurants, post office. Also one mile from Wellesley Farms commuter rail stop. Convenient to Routes 9 and 16 and about three miles from Route 95/128. Less than a mile to Carisbrooke Reservation — 12 acres of conservation land with walking/hiking trails. Close to Weston line.

School District:Sprague

Listing agent: Margaret Kunz and Jane Collinson Reidy. (w) 781-237-9090, ext. 525, or Jane’s cell: 617-543-9690. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. Also email: JReidy@nemoves.com.

Web: http://www.NewEnglandMoves.com

See more wonderful Wellesley homes at wickedlocal.com/wellesley

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Wellesley Home of the Week: 51 Ledgeways