The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Classic Colonial with modern twist
Sitting against the backdrop of a sweeping beautifully landscaped lawn, this home features a classic design with a modern twist.
In 2006, when John Shea saw the property was for sale, he knew he had to have it.
“I used to jog up that street and in the front window, the living room window, they had a grand piano that I always admired,” he said.
Shea and his family purchased the home and eventually put their own grand piano in that same room, the only difference being that the first one was white and the new one was black.
At the top of the stairs to the left of the living room – through double doors – is the master bedroom, with a tray ceiling, a large walkin closet, a sunny sitting area, and – though another set of double doors – an expansive master bath with a jetted tub overlooking the lovely yard.
The additional three bedrooms – one with bay windows and a large walkin closet with yet another bright bay window – share the center hall bathroom.
To the right of the front entry sits the sunken living room, with the piano. The living room opens to the dining room, which opens to the side yard and has views of a row of arborvitae in the backyard.
The kitchen, which also opens to the patio, is wide open to the family room with a vaulted ceiling, a fireplace and French doors to a home office. The office features a window seat looking out over the yard and French doors to the patio and gunite pool and hot tub.
The finished basement has a family room, game room and a
Details Address: Price: Rooms: Features:
10 Shire Court, Cheshire $650,000
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This one-of-a kind colonial on a quiet cul-de-sac in South Cheshire. A stunning stucco and stone facade give this home distinctive curb appeal. The bright and airy first floor features an expansive kitchen that opens to a vaulted family room complete with a fireplace and custom built-ins. French doors open to a huge home office with bay window and more built in cabinetry. The sunny dining room overlooks the sunken living room. The master bedroom has a tray ceiling and a spacious en-suite bath. Three generous sized bedrooms and a second full bath complete the upper floor. If you need more space, you can escape to the finished lower level with great areas for entertaining plus a third full bath. The private backyard has multi-level patios overlooking the gunite pool with a built-in spa and picturesque gardens beautifully designed and meticulously maintained. Let's not forget the stone fire pit to relax by on chilly nights.
Cheshire High School
Schools:
large bathroom with a shower.
The house also has “tons of storage,” and myriad builtin cabinets and shelves Sue Walton, listing agent for Pearce Real Estate, said.
The house was always a focal point for the family gatherings and parties, during which the Sheas would offer Horsd’oeuvres on the large granite island in the kitchen.
Walton, who is also a family friend of the Sheas, was often at those parties.
“There was a lot of entertaining in that house,” she said, describing the wide open floor plan. “The flow is just so easy.”
Folks would congregate in the kitchen, helping prepare the food and then spill into the family room and office, where more food was set.
“We would always set up our buffet in that office area,” Shea said. “It lent itself perfectly to laying out the food.”
With plates of food in hand, guests could go out to the patio and sit by the fire pit.
Neighbors would join the Sheas by the fire at other times as well.
“We’d often be out there after dinner sitting with a nice glass of wine at the fire pit and some guys might be smoking cigars,” Shea said.
The home has been the setting of weddings and many pool parties.
Shea reminisced about conversations with one of his three grown sons, who, he said, often commented that if the house was ever for sale, someone would look out “in wonder” at the backyard and pool and comment that the house is made for entertaining, kids and a family.
“My hobby is landscaping and planting flowers,” Shea said. “The pool area is always full of beautiful flowers, an array of flowers. My friends would say it’s like being at a country club.”
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