HAMPTONS ELEGANCE, REDEFINED
Water Mill’s Covetable Listowel Estate
There is little to be said of the Hampton’s neighborhoods that comprise Water Mill that hasn’t been said before. Counting Mecox Bay and the Atlantic Ocean among it’s neighbors, tree-lined lanes as old friends and an elegance that can only be described as classic; it’s easy to see why this tony enclave is so perennially popular. Despite such lauded expectations though, Water Mill does still have a surprise or two under her belt – and the estate known as Listowel is one of the most glittering.
Surrounded by more than one hundred and twenty-five acres of sprawling farmland, and with a fresh water pond and the bay beyond adding to the already breathtaking view; Listowel is a sparkling gem that pays homage to a casually elegant, exclusive lifestyle where understated glamour plays a starring role. Built in 2008, Listowel is the masterwork of an impressive collection of design talent that includes the architecture of Kathleen McCoy, the craftsmanship of Men at Work builders, the inimitable landscape architecture of Quincy Hammond, Daniel Romualdez’s interior design, sumptuous wall finishes by Torie Burke and a palate of inspired color choices by Donald Kaufman. Arriving at the estate through its resplendent gated entrance, guests are immediately greeted by the striking landscape. Graceful trees shade the spacious lawns with their aged canopies, meticulously groomed gardens seem to burst with a cacophony of white roses, and geometric patterns carve classically laid out pathways. Clad in cedar, the estate is alive with depth and interest; seven stone chimneys rise from the valley of peaks that create the dramatic roof life, round mullioned windows peer onto the landscape beyond and glossy, lacquered mouldings frame architectural elements. Designed to bring into impressive focus water views beyond, Listowel possesses a site line that cuts through its spaces to marry the home with its marvelous surroundings, offering a view that is at once thrilling and majestic, inviting and intriguing.
With an impressively gracious 12,000 sq. ft. of living and entertaining spaces, Listowel is the perfect setting for entertaining and family life. A 3,000 volume library greets guests as they enter the soaring, two story entry replete with fireplace and grand staircase. Clad in hardwoods stained to emphasis the depth of the grain and waxed to introduce a soft gleam to the walls; the library is a memorable entry space where the style of a proper English club seems to artfully collide with a well-honed modern aesthetic. The library is adjacent to a large living room, equally impressive in its attention to detail. Here, intimate conversation areas reside within a large space featuring a fireplace and three sets of French doors that open up to the expansive covered porch beyond. Also on the main level of the home, a smoking room with beautiful bay window and access to the home’s eastern facing covered porch, a formal dining room with exquisite and unforgettable hand-painted chinois wallpaper, French doors that deliver convenient access to the estate’s outdoor living spaces, and yet another fireplace to help set the romantic tone for a perfect dinner party. To make entertaining both large crowds and cozy gatherings even more pleasurable, there is a butler’s pantry that leads to a chef ’s kitchen that is nothing short of sigh-worthy. With coolly elegant marble floors and walls, the kitchen is a marvelously executed dream for the serious cook. Large, stainless steel islands offer seating for appreciative onlookers without compromising the space needed to create even the most ambitious menu. A walk-in pantry provides nearly infinite storage space and an army of commercial grade, top of the line appliances including one double Wolf range ensure that even the simplest of meals is worthy of a constellation of stars. The masterpiece kitchen is adjacent to a large gathering room where four sets of French doors opening on to a trellis-covered outdoor living room featuring a wonderful stone fireplace as its focal point.
The offerings Listowel bestows on her upper level elevate the home even further in its singular distinction. A master suite encompasses the entire south-eastern wing of the home and includes a space-inspiring vaulted ceiling, a fireplace and sitting area and glass paneled doors that lead to a south facing terrace with a brilliant kaleidoscope of views provided by the ever-changing moods of Mecox Bay. The master also offers a large, fully marbled bathroom that’s marvelously welcoming given the radiant heated floors and boundless views across the farm fields that border the estate. Two large walk-in closets complete the master domain with a level of dignified elegance and craftsmanship that is unparalleled – even within the most opulent of homes. The upper level of Listowel also affords accommodations through three additional ensuite bedrooms; all with vaulted ceilings, custom closets and fully marbled spa-like bathrooms. The impressive, romantic ‘Tower Study’ with its crackling, wood burning fireplace and inspiring views completes the treasures to be found on the upper level.
Alluring as they may be, the charms of Listowel are not limited to those found in the main residence. The estate also boasts an extraordinarily unique ‘guest cottage’. Thoroughly private yet still attached to the main house, the guest quarters are reached through a hallway off Listowel’s kitchen. Featuring a stylishly informal living area with fireplace, the guest accommodations at Listowel also include painting studio, second floor en-suite bedroom and access to the private and secluded outdoor spa.
As the residents of Listowel, one may also expect to live life under a beautiful ceiling of sky. In addition to the views afforded by the bay and the estate’s own, freshwater pond Listowel also offers the pleasure – both visual and literal – brought by a 20×70 foot custom pool featuring the minimalist beauty found within the minimalist, limestone coping and dark plastered interior – all the better to give the pool a reflecting quality. An allée of mature trees creates a naturalized, mirror image of the geometric pool to elevate the aesthetic from simply ‘grand’ to breathtakingly so. Indeed, the outdoor living spaces in their entirety are magnificently executed; offering the ideal balance of both form and function. “The Listowel estate has a special quality that is difficult – if not impossible – to find anywhere else” explains Peter Huffine who, along with Tim Davis of Corcoran Realty is marketing the exclusive residence. Within the landscape, guests to Listowel can marvel at the 60-year-old apple trees, potager, flower cutting gardens, stone walls and gravel walkways the estate provides– all created in a classically English garden style and bordered by amazingly beautiful, bucolic farmland. “The home faces 66 acres of farm on one side, 60 acres on another,” continues Huffine. “And on a third side you have this gorgeous and very private freshwater pond and Mecox Bay beyond. It’s rare to find so many exclusive elements in any one home, but Listowel itself is a very rare find”.
