By Tyler R. Morrissey
Longer days and cooler nights are just two hallmarks of summertime in the northeast. These are the days to take advantage of the outdoors. Maybe your property includes a tranquil patio where friends and family can gather for a summer barbeque, or maybe your home features an outdoor kitchen for when the mercury rises and nobody wants to even walk by the oven. Perhaps you are searching for that special home that will give you the outdoor oasis you’ve been dreaming of. The following properties feature outdoor entertaining spaces that will make it easy and fun to take the party outside.
2 Douglas Circle – Rye, New York
For more information: Judy Croughan, 914.262.5323, [email protected]
Live a resort-like lifestyle with fantastic amenities and total privacy in this sleek and modern, five-bedroom home. Exquisitely landscaped grounds make for an outdoor oasis that evokes a five-star getaway. Highlights include a 20 x 40 foot heated pool, and an outdoor cabana featuring an open-air room with high ceilings, mahogany flooring and an outdoor shower. There’s also a bathroom and changing room for guests and a bar. Additional outdoor amenities include a peaceful koi pond, as well as a fire pit to keep the party going well into the summer night.
164 Little Stannard Beach Road – Westbrook, Connecticut
For more information: Sue Cohn Darmon, 860.707.6879, [email protected]
What would the summer be without a trip to the beach? There is a way to enjoy the comforts of home and the excitement of a beach day at the same time. This fabulous waterfront property with 95 feet of frontage on Long Island Sound is just steps to the sand and water. Fully renovated with a sophisticated European flare, the home features great outdoor living space with a two-tiered deck. Sip wine and enjoy the ocean breeze, gorgeous 180° unobstructed views and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. Bask in the sun, dine alfresco or relax in the shade under the retractable awning on the upper deck, or rejuvenate your mind and body in the hot tub on the lower deck.
102 Town Wood Road – Old Lyme, Connecticut
For more information: Tim Bray, 860.912.7137, [email protected], Jamie Molinares, 860.510.3313, [email protected]
This pristine Old Lyme estate has remained a precious secret for years. Nestled above a private gated entrance you will find a magnificent retreat with over 20 acres of land and privacy, which gives way to a pristine 6,100 square foot home. Built by one of the state’s most respected real estate moguls as his personal residence, this property was constructed and engineered with superior craftsmanship and attention to detail. Exquisite outdoor spaces include a heated in-ground, saltwater pool and spa, a tennis court, basketball court and distant views of Long Island Sound.
4 Dogwood Lane – New Canaan, Connecticut
For more information: Michael McKee, 203.249.9565, [email protected]
This beautifully detailed home features outstanding craftsmanship including coffered and tray ceilings, inset paneling and a first floor master suite. Manicured gardens and terraces surround the seamlessly integrated gunite heated pool, and the separate pool house/guest quarters add 718 additional square feet of living space. You’ll love entertaining outside on the upper terrace, which overlooks the pool and offers easy access to the main house.
236 Bulkley Street – Williamstown, Massachusetts
For more information: The Shire Group, 413.551.2055, [email protected]
Designed by legendary architect Marcel Breuer, this midcentury modern masterpiece is a rare and iconic work of art. Here, Breuer’s bi-nuclear floor plan, sculptural butterfly roof and brilliant use of stone, glass, wood and steel exemplify the luxury of great modern design. As with most midcentury homes, the property easily transitions from indoor to outdoor living, which is also a key element to a good summer party or gathering. Interacting beautifully with its surroundings, ‘the Robinson House’ is privately set on 42.5 acres. Outdoor highlights include a 900 square foot guest house, swimming pool, frontage on the Hoosac River and private access to Hopkins Forest conservation land.
60 East Wharf Road – Madison, Connecticut
For more information: Margaret Muir, 203.415.9187, [email protected]
A calm elegance blended with elements of traditional New England living are the hallmarks of this coastal home. Newly built from the ground up in 2005, this five-bedroom residence is ideal for an active family and is complete with country club-like amenities, such as the pool and spa, gardens and multiple patios. There is also an outdoor kitchen and fireplace for those chilly nights, and it is the perfect spot to roast s’mores or relax after a day at nearby East Wharf Beach.
