Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/136432
A SECLUDED FAMILY RETREAT 5 Willow Road, Weston Square feet: 17,446 on 13.43 acres Beds + Baths: 7; 7 full and 6 half Amenities: 4 garage spaces, wine room, home theater, pool with cabana Price: $12.9 million Agent: Terrence Maitland, LandVest, 617-357-8949; terrencemaitland.landvest.com THE PRESENT: Terrence Maitland, listing agent for this home, admires the thoughtful layout, attributable to the close relationship between architect Jeremiah Eck and the homeowners. "The entertaining spaces and the family areas are quite separate," says Maitland. "There's a gallery/receiving room with a 23-foot ceiling that's so dramatic." Maitland also points out that the "family areas are very comfortable and the high ceilings afford lots of natural light; the custom mahogany windows and millwork are all exquisite." While stately, the home is also conducive to raising a family as it sits privately in a wooded area formerly known as the Avelinda Forest that was previously owned by Thomas and Virginia Cabot from the 1920s to 1997. "There are fun features like a theater, lofts in the kids' bedrooms, an underground passageway to the pool house, a waterfall that spills down the rock face, and so much more," says Maitland. "This is one of the great houses of Massachusetts." THE FUTURE, REDESIGNED: Designer Jeff Osborne appreciates that the public The new foyer design for 5 Willow Road includes architectural drapery and a rope-wrapped chandelier. REDESIGN ILLUSTRATION BY JEFF OSBORNE spaces in this house are nicely proportioned; the kitchen had a terrific renovation 10 years ago, but could use a few classic yet of-the-moment touches. "We would update the lighting fixtures throughout, keeping a timeless look but making it a bit more sophisticated and scaled to the room sizes, and choose a slightly cooler palette to complement the red tones of the millwork," he says. He suggests a mix of oversize eclectic and modern furnishings from brands such as Promemoria, Christian Liaigre, Ralph Pucci, and Holly Hunt to echo the grandness of the architecture. To emphasize the home's most dramatic features— the soaring foyer with its bridge and structural accents—he would "warm it up with simple, architectural drapery, a large wool and silk rug by Carini Lang, and perhaps a ropewrapped chandelier or two from French furniture designer Christian Astuguevieille. Flanking a large, round, turned-wood hall table from Hudson Furniture in New York City would be two sandblasted wood-andlacquer Liaigre consoles, with Holly Hunt lacquer mirrors over each one, and two beautiful Liaigre benches. We would then accessorize with spectacular art and top the center table with a large bronze and glass vase from Promemoria." Hark + Osborne Interior Design, 46 Waltham St., Ste. 205A, 617-504-1767; hpluso.com 5 Willow Road in Weston sits in a private wooded area formerly known as Avelinda Forest. PRESENT BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 098-105_BC_F_RealEstate_SUM13.indd 99 99 6/10/13 3:13 PM