from the homeowners »
More than two decades of family memories have made this spacious house a warm and welcoming home, according to owner Mary Stieven. She and husband Joseph built the property in 1998 and raised six children in it; now, as grandparents, they are moving across town to be closer to them. “It’s been such a wonderful place to live,” Stieven says of the home. “It sits on almost 2 acres, so there is plenty of space for a family to enjoy themselves.”
How did you incorporate your personality into the home?
I have an interior design background, and I love bold color. I like to put a twist on the traditional and add some fun sophistication. For example, we used wallpapers with metallic elements and colors like navy and chartreuse. But the next owners will have no trouble customizing the house to their own tastes. The moldings, light fixtures and other features are very classic and traditional.
What makes it great for a family?
It has almost anything you could want for children to enjoy themselves. There are tennis courts, a swimming pool and lots of play space in the backyard. On the lower level, we put in padding and a batting cage so our kids could practice hockey and baseball when they were young. We even added a sledding hill in the yard. There is always plenty to do!
What will you remember most about the house?
I loved decorating the home for the holidays and having Christmas parties. We are very family-oriented, so we had lots of gatherings. It’s so open and spacious that you can entertain 150 guests without it seeming like there are that many people in the house.
Which room did you enjoy most?
My favorite was always my husband’s first-floor library. The walls are mahogany, the floors are cherry, and there is a lovely fireplace. It all creates a sense of coziness.
What is most convenient about the home?
I like the fact that the master suite is on the first floor. There is also an exercise room with custom flooring. The house has an oversized, two-car, attached garage and another four-car garage with an apartment above it. The kitchen has a walk-in pantry, and there’s plenty of closet space, so organizing is easy.
Have you made recent improvements?
The house is move-in ready; most of it has been updated in the last year. All of the floors have been polished and well maintained, and the yard is professionally landscaped.
What is the neighborhood like?
There are seven homes on Lochinvar Drive. The street is gated, which gives you a very secure feeling especially if you have children. You don’t have to worry about them riding their bikes or playing outside with friends. A couple of new families have moved in recently; it’s a perfect area for people with kids.
from the agent »
“The home caters to the resort lifestyle with a spectacular pool, tennis court and 2,000-bottle wine cellar.” — Alex Thornhill
listing price | Upon request
listing agents | Alex Thornhill
agency | Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty
Photos: Square One Media Productions
