On the Market: Torquilstone

One of the houses that made a big impression on me as a child has hit the market.  "Torquilstone", in Charleston, West Virginia, was originally built as the home of William Goshorn MacCorkle, the son of a former governor. The 10,000 square foot house was built in 1926 and designed by William Martens, who also designed the West Virginia Governor's Mansion.

It remained a private home until 1961, when it was acquired by the Sunrise Foundation and used as an art museum. (The Foundation also operated the Sunrise Children's Museum across the street in a mansion that had been home to Governor MacCorkle). The museum was in operation until 2003, when Torquilstone was sold and converted back into a single family home. I always wondered what the imposing stone building I knew as a museum looked like as a house, and thanks to the listing, I know!

The rear of the house is a study in symmetry.  

The beautifully detailed front porch greets guests.

View of the house coming up the drive.

Side view of the house, showing off the formal gardens and the beautifully detailed conservatory.

The foyer is highlighted by a wide, sunlit staircase that curves gently at the end.

Another view of the foyer.

The family room is large enough for two seating areas and a casual dining table.

More formal meals might be taken in the green striped dining room.

A third option for taking meals is this breakfast room with a fantastic corner fireplace and a fun mix of patterns.

The kitchen is stunning with a coffered ceiling, furniture quality cabinetry, and marble counters.

A stone fireplace, paneled ceiling, and walls of windows mark the conservatory.

One of the porches offers space for al fresco dining and a seating area.

The master bedroom features another corner fireplace and a sitting nook with fanlight window.

It's a safe bet that the original plans didn't call for a master bathroom this huge and well appointed.

This guest room features a wall of built-ins. I wonder if those provide the closet space for this room?

A cheerful secondary bathroom.

One of the secondary bedrooms is clearly being enjoyed by a lucky little boy currently.

Pretty in pink, this little girl's bedroom is located at the top of the stairs.

A third kid's bedroom features two twin beds with beautiful scalloped canopies.

It looks like the house was restored beautifully and turned into a very comfortable  home. And it could be yours for $2 million dollars!

Join us on Facebook!

On the Market: A 1980's Time Capsule

I've confessed before that one of my favorite ways to waste time is to browse real estate listings. Every morning I see what new listings have come online in my area, and from time to time will also see what's available in the areas I grew up in and neighborhoods around the country that I know have fantastic houses!

My curiosity was piqued when I saw this listing in my hometown. The listing price of almost $800,000 is virtually unheard of in small town Beckley, WV (even for a large house in a desirable neighborhood.) The first pictures in the listing drew me in:

A pleasant looking French style house, typical of what was being built in the 70s and 80s, right?

What a gorgeous back yard. Obviously a lot of care and updating has been put in there recently.

After browsing a few shots of the backyard, with it's beautiful pool, outdoor kitchen, and lush landscaping, I was really looking forward to seeing the interior. Surely it had been updated with the same attention to detail, right?

I should warn my readers with a delicate decorative sensibility to turn away now. The following pictures may induce seizures, nausea, or an uncontrollable urge to put on shoulder pads and a pair of stirrup pants. If Crockett and Tubbs had a house in West Virginia, this would have been it. I'm just going to let these pictures speak for themselves:

Pink cabinets and black light wallpaper

So many patterns...

Pink and teal and black.

The tamest room in the house.

That bed. It almost distracts from whatever arrangement of funeral flowers occupies the other side of the room.

Interestingly scalloped stairs.

Glass block, black wallpaper, and a strange metal tree highlight the foyer.

more black in the kitchen.

black, purple, red, and mirrors. Reminds me of a 1980s mall store.

Charcoal dining room with a view to the living room beyond.

Pink and purple sun room with 1980s airport art.

A sea of teal.

No 1980s home would be complete without a pink Jacuzzi.

Lower level  rec room or 1980s nightclub?

So, could you embrace the retro style of this house, or would it be a gut job? Can the 80s be cool again?

Pre-Designed Plan, The Kingsbridge

The first house built from our "Kingsbridge" plans has hit the market, and that gives us a chance to take a peek inside.

The house has an open living area and a sumptuous master suite on the main floor, and three bedrooms and an activity room on the second, all combined in just under 4,000 square feet.

The front of the house showcases arched windows and a mix of painted brick and stone.

The two story foyer has an elegantly curved stair.

A view of the open great room and dining area.

The spacious kitchen with gourmet island.

The octagonal vestibule leads into the master suite and directs traffic to dual walk in closets, the master bath, and the master bedroom.

Another view of the master vestibule.

The Master bath is spacious and bright.

For more information on the Kingsbridge, email us at southgateresidential@gmail.com

And visit us on Facebook for more project photos!

On the Market: A Robert Stern Design in Aspen

If you have just under 20 million to spend on your ski cottage, then you'll want to put this Robert A. M. Stern designed stone mansion at the top of your list. Built in the mid-90's, the almost 13,000 square foot house is perched on Red Mountain and has stunning views. Stern, known for his meticulous detailing and fresh take on classical architecture, is one of the stars of the architecture world, and a personal favorite of mine, so I am always excited to get a peek at his houses.

The front elevation is a symmetrical composition in stone.

The left side of the house looks out over the mountains. What a beautiful setting!

 

 

The backyard and view.

Stone terraces step down to a dark bottomed pool and water feature.

And because Aspen winters hardly allow for al fresco swimming, there is an indoor pool that overlooks the view.

The living spaces showcase the sort of detail Stern is known for. In this library, a barrel vault and gorgeous millwork join a rounded fireplace nook for a truly memorable space.

In the great room, graceful arces and multiple seating groups make the large space comfortable and inviting.

The formal dining room features a gently curving wall with fireplace.

One of the house's five bedrooms is this charming bunkroom.

None of the guest bedrooms are as large as might be expected from a 13,000 square foot house, but all  have been beautifully decorated and look very comfortable.

Another of the intimately scaled guest suites makes heavy use of toile fabric and wallpaper.

The master dressing room

The finishes of the master bedroom are beginning to look dated, but the bones of the room are timeless.

Love this home office! Separate nooks for the working space, and a central library with comfortable reading chairs. Work would not feel like a chore here.

And if the new owners don't burn off enough calories on the slopes, they can hit the fully outfitted home gym.

(all photos taken from MLS listings and the RAMSA site.)