Colonial reflects in- & outdoor splendor on Crystal Lake

The architect of the shingle-style colonial lakefront house, appropriately called The Lake House, at 51 West Branch Road in lower Weston took advantage of its natural surroundings to create an impressive residence.

It seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces for everyday living as well as entertaining. There is a sandy beach on this property as well as a deep water dock.

The thoughtfully positioned and constructed house provides stunning water views of the 40-acre Crystal Lake from almost all of its 11 rooms. Residents of Crystal Lake are allowed lake privileges, which include swimming, fishing, sailing, and the use of other types of water craft so long as they are not gas-powered.

An informal yet elegant ambiance prevails, inviting relaxation and a vacation-like feel. Take in the panoramic view and sunsets over the lake from the wood deck on the back of this 4,527-square-foot house, which was built in 1994. There is another 1,527 square feet in the finished, walk-out basement.

While this property feels worlds away from everything, it is on the Westport-Weston line and only minutes away from Weston Center and schools, the Merritt Parkway, downtown Westport and the Saugatuck and Greens Farms train stations.

Peering into the house from the front entrance provides a hint of the relaxing lifestyle this home provides. The well-designed floor plan brings in lots of natural light and stunning water views.

There is a beautiful lake view from the two-story foyer into the formal dining room, which features a marble fireplace with an ornate white wood mantle and French doors with a decorative arched transom that lead to the sizable deck.

All three fireplaces in the house have their own artistic flourishes. The fireplace in the family room has a granite surround and a hand-carved wood mantelpiece that gives a nod to nature with oak leaves, acorns and a large fish in the center. It continues the nature and lake theme which is apparent from the first approach to the house and sees the fish weathervane atop the two-car garage.

The same wood of the mantle covers a portion of wall in this room to create built-in bookshelves and display space for two-dimensional art work above the fireplace. In the formal living room the fireplace has a hand-painted tile surround and hearth.

The gourmet kitchen has a black and white harlequin patterned tile floor, a center island, and an eat-in kitchen in a sunroom with windows and water views on three sides.

On the second floor there is a cavernous master bedroom suite with its own private balcony/deck. The master bath has a marble floor and marble backsplash.

Another bath has white tile with a green tile border of wildlife in a forest of deciduous and evergreen trees.

There are hardwood floors throughout the house, including under the wall-to-wall carpeting in some bedrooms on the second floor.

The finished basement has wall-to-wall carpeting and is ideal as a media room or play room. It has a closet large enough to be converted into a wine cellar and tasting room. It also has an area that could be enclosed to create a fifth bedroom if necessary.

For more information or to set up an appointment to see the house call Leslie Riback of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage at 203-858-1795 or email her at Leslie@LeslieRiback.com. More photos and information about the house is available at the websites www.thelakehousewestonct.com and www.leslieriback.com.

ABOUT THIS HOUSE

TYPE OF HOUSE: Colonial

ADDRESS: 51 West Branch Road, Weston

PRICE: $2,500,000

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 11

AMENITIES: 2.42-acre property on Crystal Lake, lake privileges, panoramic waterviews, sandy beach, deep water dock, front porch, large lakeside wood deck, three fireplaces -- one with a hand-carved mantle, gourmet kitchen, three zoned central (electric) air-conditioning, close to Weston Center and schools, minutes from the Merritt Parkway, about 10 minutes to Saugatuck train station, 10-foot ceilings on first floor and master bedroom, vaulted ceilings, study/office/library

OTHER INFORMATION: four bedrooms, four full and one half baths, two-car attached garage, finished walk-out lower level with full bath and possible fifth bedroom, three zoned forced air gas heat, underground lawn sprinkler, double-pane storm windows, generous number of closets and storage space, hardwood flooring and wall-to-wall carpeting, septic system, city water

SCHOOL: Hurlbutt Elementary, Weston Middle, Weston High

ASSESSMENT: $1,570,400

TAX RATE: 23.94 mills

TAXES: $37,595