Property Week

West Hartford Property Earns High Marks for Architectural Details, Inside and Outside

By Karen A. Avitabile

Front porches are a fantastic way to entertain, kick back on Adirondack chairs or just retreat to a shaded spot to cool off during the warm summer months. At 33 Wettleson Ave. in West Hartford, a covered front porch with decorative columns not only adds to the curb appeal but also welcomes guests into a move-in ready home.

“It’s a nice front space to enjoy the neighborhood,” says real estate agent John Hoye of The Hoye Home Team.

From the moment you step onto the porch, you will notice the attention to detail and quality construction poured into this architecturally breathtaking colonial home with a modern flair. The owner, an expert builder, lovingly constructed and designed his four-bedroom, three-bathroom home that offers a total of 2,358 square feet.

The front door is a combination of solid wood and glass, with three panels of glass on the sides and at the top. It draws you into a two-story, 15-by-16 foot great room or living room, adorned by a hand-wrought metal staircase and balcony, a gas log fireplace, exposed beams painted white, seamless hardwood floors and wall-to-wall clerestory windows that keep the space light and bright.

The open space floor plan allows for fantastic flow on the main level, a request of many homebuyers today, he adds. There is plenty of room in the layout for an expansive dining room table.

On the other side of the great room, a hallway leads to the private wing of the home. The first-floor primary suite offers a gas fireplace and a large walk-in closet with built-ins. Its well-appointed bath has double sinks, an air-jet soaking tub and a walk-in shower with glass mosaic details and double rain shower heads.

Also off the hallway is a walk-in pantry, a powder room, spacious closets and a convenient space with counters, a sink and storage for doing laundry. The attached mudroom area is easily accessible to the twocar garage.

The fenced-in, lightly wooded backyard shows off green space everywhere and is bordered by a retaining wall for added privacy. The stylish patio is the perfect spot to entertain, enjoy a meal, cook on the grill or unwind.

Propane operates a water heater and provides hydro-air heating for the home. Central air conditioning is used for cooling. Energy-efficient features include programmable thermostats, thermopane windows and

Situated in a well-established and walkable neighborhood, this home is only a short drive to an abundance of restaurants, cafes, shops and entertainment in West Hartford Center, Blue Back Square and Farmington Village.

Nearby, the West Hartford Reservoir recreation area off Farmington Avenue is a local mecca for walking the dog, running, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or enjoying nature come alive around the lake. The Reservoir connects to the Metacomet Trail, part of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail system that is managed by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association.

“It’s great for people who enjoy the outdoors,” Hoye says of the area. Also close by is an ice-skating rink, a pool, tennis courts and golf.

Private showings of the home are underway. For more information, to view photos or to take a slide show tour, visit www.hoyehometeam.com and search for 33 Wettleson Ave., under the ‘properties’ tab.

Because there is only a handful of listings in West Hartford at this time, Hoye recommends potential home buyers do not delay checking out what this home has to offer. “It checks all the boxes,” he adds.

Karen A. Avitabile is a freelance writer based in Plantsville.

The staircase opens to a 12-by-15-foot loft overlooking the main level. The space can be turned into an office, a studio, a family room, a sitting area or a reading nook. “It’s flexible space,” Hoye says of the loft. Also on this level are three additional bedrooms and a full bathroom.

The kitchen is outfitted with nine-foot ceilings, a Wolf range, double dishwashers, granite counters, a tile backsplash, a stainless hood and a 10-by-4-foot center island with lots of bar seating and storage. Glass doors here open to the private stone patio in the backyard.

A full-size basement presents unlimited opportunities for increased living space or storage. An established builder’s workshop is hidden behind doors in the basement.

“When you first go in, it is spacious,” the agent says upon entering the home. “You definitely have that open-air drama.”

“The staircase is a design feature,” Hoye points out. “It’s unusual. You don’t see too many of them around here.”

recently installed solar panels. Vinyl siding in a taupe color frames the home and joins a fiberglass roof. Public water and sewer service the home.