17 Rippowam Road, Ridgefield, CT - Collected Materials

Iradell Farm The renovated former home of Heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt Earl

17 Rippowam Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut

THE FOCAL POINT OF THE HOME IS THE INTRICATELY OAK PANELED DRA

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itting high above manicured lawns and fields, this Georgian Colonial was recently restored, renovated and expanded to create a home that combines the sophistication, grace and grandeur of its former owner — Consuelo Vanderbilt (great great granddaughter of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt) — with the modern details and amenities of the twenty-first century.

The Georgian Colonial sits proudly on the high point of the property. The façade of the house has double-hung windows enhanced by stone lintels and shutters. The front entrance has a pediment supported by columns. The façade

is proportionally pleasing with a dentil detailed cornice.

The front entry has a large six-paneled door with two sidelights and white wood paneled walls with deep crown moldings complemented by oak herringbone floors with an oak plank border. Off the entry is a luxurious powder room with wall scones, a hall window seat and closets. The focal point of the house is the intricately oak paneled drawing room and stone fireplace relocated from the salon of Consuelo’s Vanderbilt father’s yacht, the Alva, in the 1940s. The present owners have enhanced the drawing room with oak herringbone floors and a half-round curved stair back lit by a wall of

AWING ROOM AND STONE FIREPLACE FROM A VANDERBILT FAMILY YACHT

A LARGE CHEF’S KITCHEN AND BREAKFAST AREA ADJOIN A LIGHT, BRIG windows that affords a fantastic view of the flagstone terrace and the property’s great lawn.

Next to the drawing room is the oversized living room featuring a large fireplace with marble surround and detailed wood mantle with inlaid mirror. Wood paneled walls conceal a door to a private powder room and French doors lead to the expansive terrace. A large alcove, lined with bookshelves also has a set of French doors that leads to the planned English garden. The sun-filled living room is further enhanced by a coffered ceiling and down-lighting. On the other side of the Drawing room thru double paneled doors is the formal dining room with cove lit ceiling, wood paneled wall and fireplace with marble surround. High wood bases, oak plank flooring and four casement windows complete this magnificent room. A double acting door leads to the well-equipped butler’s pantry with custom cabinetry, Calcutta counter tops, Sub-zero wine cooler and deep sink with polished nickel faucet.

The large chef’s kitchen includes the following: custom cabinetry, nickel hardware, Calcutta countertops, 48” Sub-zero refrigerator, six burner Wolf range with

GHT FAMILY ROOM OVERLOOKING THE FABULOUS TERRACE AND PORCH professional hood, and two Bosch dishwashers. In addition, a center island with Calcutta countertop, built in oven and microwave, sink with goose neck faucet all highlighted by down-lighting and two outstanding pendant fixtures. The kitchen has center island seating and a large breakfast area for casual dining. Adjoining the kitchen is a light and bright family room with built in cabinetry, a natural stone wall, a fireplace and a wall of windows and French doors all overlooking the fabulous terrace and covered porch. In addition, there is a mudroom; powder room with paneled walls, polished nickel wall sconces and a detailed oval window; and an oversized garage that could accommodate six cars.

The main stair is magnificently detailed and leads to the second level’s master bedroom suite, three additional bedrooms ensuite and a large functional laundry room.

The master bedroom suite has painted wood paneled walls, rich oak plank floors and downlights. The bright sitting room features large windows, wide board horizontal wood paneling and wood floors.

The suite has two master baths both with radiant heated floors. The first bathroom

THE RICHLY DETAILED MASTER SUITE HAS A BRIGHT SITTING ROOM, has Calcutta gold marble floors, a free standing soaking tub with chandelier above, stone and glass wall, frameless glass enclosed oversized shower with porcelain tiles, and wall sconces at the custom designed vanity. In addition, there is an oversized walk-in closet and dressing area with plenty of built-in cabinetry. The second bathroom has white oak walls, frameless glass shower with porcelain tiles, all next to another walk-in closet. A private stair leads to a very charming room on the third level. There are three additional bedrooms featuring oak plank flooring and large built-in closets. Each bedroom has private baths with European vanities. The center bedroom has a fireplace and access to a private

TWO MASTER BATHS, TWO WALK-IN CLOSETS AND A DRESSING AREA balcony overlooking the estate. By the back staircase is a seating area and double doors that lead to a second family room, game room or theatre. This room features 8” wide oak plank flooring.

The lower level has a wine cellar, gym and mechanical room with a Buderus propane heater; there are five zones for heating and cooling. Additional amenities include: whole house generator and smart house features for lighting, music, alarm, heating and cooling. The property is private and adjacent to 1000 acres of open space directly on the CT/NY State line. Truly a gem, in Connecticut Magazine’s number one town — Ridgefield — and only one hour from midtown Manhattan.

THE DAVID EVERSON TEAM N E W YO R K

. CONNECTICUT

470 MAIN STREET, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877

REAL ESTATE AT ITS BEST

203.246.7150 DEVERSON@WILLIAMPITT.COM

Floor Plans - 17 Rippowam Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut

Second Level

First Level OFFERED BY

THE DAVID EVERSON TEAM N E W YO R K

Certain changes were made by the current owner after these plans and elevations were completed.

There may be differences in what was actually built.

These illustrations are for reference only.

Recent renovations by Stonecrest Builders.

. CONNECTICUT

470 MAIN STREET, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877

203.246.7150 • DEVERSON@WILLIAMPITT.COM

Elevations - 17 Rippowam Road

A Vanderbilt Legacy

Consuelo with her father William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., aboard his yacht (1932 photo, vanderbiltcupraces.com)

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Front Elevation

Right Side Elevation

Left Side Elevation

Rear Elevation These illustrations are for reference only. Details may vary.

Built in 1920 this estate was purchased in the 1940s by well-known 20th century heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt and named “Iradell Farm”.

Consuelo was the great great granddaughter of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt — the railroad and shipping magnate.

When Consuelo bought this 26 acre West Mountain estate, she enhanced the wellproportioned Georgian colonial with the oak paneled salon and fireplace from her father’s yacht the Alva. The yacht’s wood paneled room was the site of Consuelo’s second marriage to Henry Gassaway Davis in 1936.

The salon was removed from the yacht and transported to the Ridgefield home where Consuelo made it an outstanding feature of the estate and it is now the foyer of this recently renovated home.

Consuelo, who died at 107, was referred to by various publications as “ one of the last surviving links to an era where the Vanderbilts personified the opulence and grandeur of the country’s gilded elite.” She lived at her beloved Iradell Farm for over sixty years.

The foyer today (photo by Karen Amendola)