When Frank and Barbara Wilson happened upon the pieces of a vintage mahogany library, they knew it belonged in their dream home. Like a page from a treasured novel, this Honduran Mahogany library had been tucked away for safekeeping. Salvaged from a Winchester estate, the pieces of this elaborate library were first disassembled, purchased and stored in 1946. They remained in storage until the Wilsons discovered it at a second estate sale, instantly deciding it would be the footprint for their new home.
“We saw it and called everyone we knew to help take it away. We stored the pieces, which were numbered, in our garage until we were ready to build,” said Barbara Wilson. The original owner of the library is said to be George Arthur Plimpton, who founded Ginn publishing and was grandfather to American journalist and writer George Plimpton.
Acquiring the library was only the first step in the couple’s homebuilding plan. After purchasing nearly 20 acres at 618 Grove St. in Framingham, the Wilsons employed architect Stewart Roberts, a principal of Johnson Roberts Associates, to design their home. Using energy-efficient passive solar building concepts and the intricate library pieces that reflect the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture prevalent during the Victorian era, the 4,418-square-foot home is combination of Old World charm and modern-day amenities.
The Wilson family recently donated 11.58 acres to the town of Framingham as conservation land, so the home now comes with a little more than six acres. In addition to their generous and timeless gift to the town, the future owners of this Grove Street property are assured of pleasant and private vistas.
“The views are incredible year round,” said Wilson. “In addition to orienting the house to accommodate its passive solar design, you have stunning scenery and wildlife year round.”
The Plimpton library, now and forever intertwined with savvy architecture, is the hallmark of the home. Its effect is immediate as you enter into the closed foyer where original mahogany doors from the library have been reused. Be prepared for the unexpected as the entry opens into a modern fare of soaring ceilings and angled windows, all of it embracing energy efficient passive solar concepts. Twelve-foot mahogany fluted columns with egg-and-dart trim grace the main greeting hall, in addition to bridging two architectural impressions. The library was simply not reinstated, but reinvented and integrated into the home’s design. The 13-by-12-foot dining room houses the first wave of paneling and glass door cabinetry, an architectural niche enhancing the design. It’s bordered by a 21-by-13 living room, which mirrors the dining room’s rich cabinetry and inherent ambiance. Double insulated walls create oversized sills, a row of windows taking in the views. The living room’s vaulted ceiling plays into its energy efficient design while adding the eclectic feel of the home.
The main level of this four-level home continues with a 21-by-13 kitchen. Butternut wood, a member of the walnut family, was the choice for the custom blond kitchen cabinetry. An octagonal island anchors the kitchen, which offers an abundance of prep space. Appliances were updated in 2009 with stainless steel Kitchen Aid double ovens, dishwasher and a new Sub-Zero refrigerator. A retro-style but new Thermador downdraft cooktop with a built-in griddle provides plenty of creative space. The kitchen also has dual sinks, a tile backsplash, hardwood flooring and windows bordering an entire wall. The casual dining area segues into an 18-by-17-foot family room. Contemporary architectural elements shine here with a vaulted ceiling with numerous architectural niches. Among the highlights is a brick fireplace, designed to reflect a design found in one of the fireplaces at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The outdoors is also vividly reflected and captured here with panoramic views of the grounds.
Located on the entry level, which shows as level two, is the first wing of bedrooms. Three sizable bedrooms are included in this area of the home, each offering wide views of the property. Storage is a non-issue in this home with an entire hallway dedicated to customized closet space, the doors new but designed to complement the original library pieces. A full bath is also located in this wing.
The lower level of the home, which has full daylight, accommodates the master suite, laundry room and an oversized 25-by-22-foot workshop.
“When we talk about an exceptional one-of-a-kind home in real estate, this is what we mean,” noted Realtor Cynthia Newell of N.B. Taylor Co., Inc.
The master suite features a private exit to a lower deck, master bath with soaking tub, separate vanity area with dual sinks, open concept walk-in closet and separate storage room. The private owner’s retreat level also includes a spacious workshop with double-door access for large projects.
The final level of the home, down one-half flight, offers flexible square footage. The full daylight space is divided into a 36-by-12-foot game room with sliding glass door access to a bluestone patio. Ductwork is in place for a woodburning stove, should the new owners choose to add one. The room boasts oak wainscoting, reclaimed from an area church. Two additional bedrooms are on this level, bringing the total to six. A full bath serves these rooms.
Other amenities include central air, a laundry chute, whole house fan, professional landscaping, two-car garage and a security system. Listed for $927,000, the home is being marketed by Realtors Cynthia Newell and David Ferrini of N.B. Taylor Co., Inc. For more information contact Newell at 508-277-0480 or Ferrini at 774-279-1020.
618 Grove Street, Framingham
DETAILS:
Home size: 4,418 square feet
Rooms: 6 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
Lot size: 6.23 acres
Year built: 1984
Annual taxes: $14,674
Asking price: $927,000
An eclectic blend of rich vintage detail and modern amenities, this Framingham property is exceptional and interesting. Custom home includes Victorian-era reclaimed library, done in rare Honduran Mahogany and enterprising solar passive design. Six bedrooms, 3.5 baths, rolling acreage neighboring conservation land. Four levels of living space, updated custom kitchen, formal rooms, outstanding workshop.