REAL ESTATE
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There are many lovely homes in the Hudson Valley. There are even many lovely homes with lovely views of the Hudson Valley. This home is one of those. But there’s something different about this one. It seems to float.
Standing at a corner of the decks that encircle this house is like standing at the prow of a ship looking out at the horizon. Lean against the railing and throw out your arms. You feel more than a little bit “Leo and Kate”. You feel yourself King (or Queen) of the World. But, here your view does not consist of nautical miles of sea, but of regular old terranean miles. However, laid out at your feet this way, they do not appear merely regular. When you’re floating this high above the Valley all those regular everyday things merge into a gorgeous variegated carpet of color.
While the view from atop Raycliffe undulates, the house, of course does not. It’s an incredibly solid contemporary, ingeniously designed by architect Andrew Wright to be both connected to its surroundings by color and strength and the 90 windows that reflect the view, while being separate from its surroundings in a special way - it appears to skim across the mountainside.
10 years in the planning, this home is as special on the inside as it is on the outside. The excess of windows wash the interior in beautiful light. Open the windows, and the breeze brings the mountain atmosphere inside. There’s no need to mar the view with window treatments because the property is so private, only your invited guests and the hawks that ride the wind will be peeking in; and it will stay that way forever. No one can build within sight on either side of the house, and the rear of the house abuts state land.
There’s a second connection to water here. The landscape is, xeriscaped, carefully laid out and planted to conserve the precious mountain water that feeds the three-tier waterfall, a pond, and the peach, cherry, and apple trees that make up this Garden of Eden. Stone paths lead you through fields of wild flowers indigenous to the Northeast. They bloom at different times, ensuring the yard is always beautifully luscious, with color changes 6 times a year. This much care for the environment in landscaping is rare, even in a place known for its “greenness”. The plot of land has another special feature, it’s one of the only Raycliffe properties that has plateaus that provide useable level outdoor space.
You can make use of the harvest the land provides in the open kitchen which serves as the epicenter of the first level. Kick off your garden boots in the spacious mudroom and proceed to your special place. The kitchen is at once grand and comfortable. Warm wood joins with the gleaming brushed nickel finishes and honed granite counter tops sparkling in the sunlight; a powerful range hood and extra deep sinks provide functionality. There’s a spacious pantry with an additional sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator, and extra storage space for items you don’t want in the kitchen proper. Whether you have a culinary background, or are just an avid home cook, you’ll want for nothing in this space.