Property Week of the CROMWELL
Two Arbor Meadow Drive in Cromwell boasts all the builder’s bells and whistles
The current sales model for what will eventually be a 75-home By Carrier community is a true dream home, says realtor Daniela Volo of Calcagni Real Estate in Wallingford. “The builder has showcased what he can do design-wise with a lot of upgraded features,” points out Volo. “It shows people what can be done—things like a huge double center island in the kitchen, high end gold fixtures in the bathroom, and so forth. It has a real upscale custom modern farmhouse feel.”
The sales model, which is ready for immediately occupancy, was meant to impress and inspire. “Everyone who sees it thinks it’s so beautiful,” she says “Even (other real estate) agents who walk in tell me, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to remodel my own house immediately.’ That’s how I feel when I come here too to show it,” she adds.
There are plenty of features that offer that WOW factor—a shiplap accent wall in the foyer, more shiplap on the ceiling of the family room that also features wood beams, board and batten siding on the exterior, and a porch that expands the front of the house.
“There are so many design elements that show you what can be done,” says Volo. “It’s on trend with what people like today. It’s as if you stepped into one of the HGTV shows.”
The two-story foyer makes a dramatic first impression, featuring a shiplap wall up to the second story. Shiplap is a style of wooden wall siding characterized by long planks that are mounted horizontally with a slight gap between them. The foyer also introduces the gleaming
3 ¼” dark hardwood floors throughout the downstairs, the hallways, and the master bedroom suite. The front door has two sidelight windows and a transom; overhead on the second level is a large, rectangular multi-paned window.
To the right of the foyer accessed via a black siding barn door is a study—a much sought-after feature in today’s market, ideally situated to provide a perfect option for WFH life or for those migrating to a hybrid workplace.
“A lot of people want a space to work at home and being in the basement to work isn’t always ideal,” says Volo, who points out that this room has a nine-foot ceiling.
At the end of the foyer, there is an open staircase that leads to the basement. Next is a true “heart-of-the-home” kitchen that features a double wide island with generous storage and seating for four. The stove hood and sink cabinetry are crafted of the same wood as the island, a perfect counterpoint for the custom designed, stepped cabinetry in a contemporary gray. There is a curved corner cabinet with a glass inset facade.
The kitchen also features quartz countertops, GE Café stainless steel appliances, a triple window over the sink, and stunning modern light fixtures over the island. The kitchen is open to a full dining room at the back of the house that has a multipaned sliding glass door that allows access to the 12’ x 16’ paver stone patio.
At the far end of the kitchen there is a bar area with a sink, wine fridge, open shelving, designer white cabinetry, and recessed lighting. A hallway off the kitchen contains a large walk-in pantry with custom built in shelving and a countertop for food preparation or a coffee station. The hallway features a downstairs half-bath, as well as a mudroom with a walk-in closet, including an area with a bench and hooks for hanging coats. Both the mudroom and the bathroom feature oversized designer tile flooring. The hallway leads to the home’s two car garage with an epoxy floor. (This garage can also be accessed from the basement.)
One can gain access through the kitchen or the dining room to the home’s generously sized family room, which offers added warmth via a propane fireplace with a raised hearth. The fireplace is stunningly set between two long rectangular multipaned windows. Another focal point is the room’s ten-foot ceiling that has exposed wood beams enhanced with shiplap.
The foyer staircase leads to a spacious upstairs featuring an overlook landing. Straight ahead there is a much sought-after feature: an upstairs laundry room so attractive one might not even mind cleaning clothes. There is plenty of upper and lower white cabinetry, a long counter that incorporates a sink, and a rectangular window. And when the laundry is done, there is a black barnstyle door to close off this heavy-duty work area.
Back in the hallway, to the left is the home’s gracious and generously sized master bedroom suite, large enough to incorporate a sitting area. The master bedroom features double crown molding, artful configurations of windows, and dual walk in closets with built ins.
The large master bath has dual sinks with a quartz countertop, custom window details, a black hexagon tile floor, high-end gold fixtures, and a walk-in tile shower upgraded with multiple shower heads and a custom glass door.
There are two bedrooms to the right of the foyer; one features stained shiplap detail on an accent wall. The hall full bath also features a dual sink, as well as a tub and shower combination with a custom surround made of wood-like tiles in a striking herringbone pattern.
There is additional living space on the basement level, easily accessed from the stairs at the end of the foyer. This level has almost 400 square feet of finished multipurpose space, ideal as a game room, man cave, or second family room. There is also a half bath, several closets, and a large unfinished space.
The home represents one of eight models that will eventually be built at the Arbor Meadows community, which provides a picturesque setting and landscape, with the homes backing up to conservation land or open space. The community itself has an open space design with common greens, including a meadow of wildflowers, and permanent buffers. Located within walking distance of the TPC River Highlands Golf Club, River Highlands State Park and the Connecticut River, the community is just a short drive to Middletown’s vibrant restaurant scene and as easy commute to Hartford and New Haven.