323 Florida Hill Road, Ridgefield, CT

T H E ALEXANDER JULIAN E S TAT E An American Arts and Crafts Masterpiece on 30 Acres in Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut

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his is an idyllic estate in a rare and completely private setting consisting of 30 pastoral acres. Custom designed and built for Meagan and Alexander Julian, the residence takes its influence from the Prairie School and the American Arts and Crafts movement. The late San Francisco architect and visionary, John Marsh Davis created a Craftsman, Shingle Style, hipped-roof home with large bay windows that takes inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright, Greene & Greene and Bernard Maybeck. Davis was widely recognized in the top echelon of American Architects who understood design in harmony with nature. The house and gardens have been featured nationally and internationally in numerous architectural publications and design books. The home is an architectural treasure.

The Julian’s worked closely with Davis who was renowned for his gift with landscape design; together they carefully planned the details of the gardens and property. The terraces that descend to the pond are defined with trim boxwood hedges that incorporate Alex’s signature “argyle” design to create separate garden spaces.

Mahogany trimmed columns lead to the dramatic 5' wide solid mahogany front door. Upon entry is the main hall with the breathtaking William Morris inspired Mahogany stairwell.

The elongated dining room with 11' mahogany French doors on either side is the centerpiece of the house. It has sweeping views of the property and gardens on both sides.

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taying true to the Arts and Crafts philosophy, the main level of the residence embraces the warmth of oversized, open living spaces that are not hindered by delineating walls, but rather promote the enjoyment of gathering together with family and friends. The warmth of mahogany French doors and expansive windows opens the house to the natural beauty of the property and the outdoors. There are breathtaking 180 degree views from almost every window of the house of the expansive 30 acres, distant apple orchard and the 2 large ponds. The ponds are stocked with fish and the upper pond has 2 aerating fountains that create a soothing symphony of water sounds.

The soaring rooms on the main level emphasize the vertical space with 11' ceilings. Descending into the Living Room, the ceilings rise to 13'. The elegant Dining Room is 42' long and 13' wide and anchors the interior space of the house. It is lined on both sides with floor to ceiling French doors that bathe the space with natural light, opening onto a beautiful brick patio landscaped with boxwood hedges and pollarded sycamores. This is the summer dining room and outdoor gathering space.

Looking down the length of the house through the Dining Room is the dramatic Living Room. The elaborate 6' tall Rumford fireplace is framed by multiple mahogany crown moldings that define the space as the focal point of the house. The room is surrounded by floor to ceiling solid mahogany bookcases. The 22' cathedral ceiling emphasizes the luminosity of natural light. There is a distinct and rare ethereal quality to the space. The two adjoining alcoves are large enough to accommodate a grand piano, media center or private art collection. This room has been designed to be lived in and enjoyed.

The only lighting is picture lighting at each end of the room. At night, individual gas lamps cast a romantic glow onto the high gloss reflective paint on the ceiling and glass doors. Candles are the only other source of light for evening dinner parties.

In the Living Room, multiple mahogany crown moldings were painstakingly crafted in proportion to the dramatic scale of the soaring space.

The cathedral ceiling extends into the screened porch beyond; the porch is a beautiful outdoor compliment to the Living Room.

The Great Room fireplace, with its waist high hearth, was designed to be used for grilling during the indoor seasons. The surround, designed by Raku artist Constance Leslie, was inspired by natural elements on the property.

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he Kitchen is the heart of the house and was designed for enjoying the art of cooking and entertaining. The counters are 381/2" high with cabinet boxes 6" deeper than normal in order to accommodate the large sinks and provide generous workspace. Matte-finished black Vermont slate is used for the kitchen counters and fireplace hearth. There is a dramatic display case with a long plate rack, glass windowed cabinets and open shelves for glassware and china. The back of the cabinets and shelves in the kitchen are mirrored to reflect light outward. The hand-crafted kitchen cabinets are constructed of solid cherry. Twin 36" Viking stoves are flanked by pot racks and crowned with a massive cherry framed mirror.

There is a large separate pantry with floor to ceiling shelves that are 12" deep, a second dishwasher, Sub Zero freezer and prep sink and prep island with under counter storage.

There are bookcases for cookbooks as well as drawers for linens and cookware. All the glides in the kitchen and pantry are Hafele.

The design and materials of the home embodies the craftsman’s aesthetics of quality.

The wood floors are birch with a unique tortoise shell finish. The three fireplaces have classically designed Rumford fireboxes; widely recognized for exceptional efficiency and appreciated for their tall, classic elegance. All of the fireplaces have propane log starters.

The expansive fenestration allows for wonderful light and views of this rare and completely private setting.

In addition, this unique setting eliminates the need for curtains or shades in the home.

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he Master Bedroom has expansive views of the property. The soft driftwood stained pine woodwork on the ceiling and floor mirror one another with argyle, herringbone and graph plaid motifs. The large beams are clad with mahogany.

The Constance Leslie raised Rumford fireplace surround is a piece of fine art featuring architectural elements.

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he beautiful full bath with steam shower, pedestal sink and claw foot tub features views of the property. The dressing room is reminiscent of a fine specialty shop with built in cabinetry and cedar storage. There is a half bath off the dressing room and, for the nature lover, a private outdoor deck with a shower.

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he Arts and Crafts elements of design are apparent on the exterior of the house. The shingles are coursed at 41/2" and give a rich texture to the house. Deep soffits are luxurious with a rich, dark color that reflects the dancing light and water from the ponds. Reminiscent of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s work, Davis designed chimneys with turned brick and terra cotta chimney caps.

The four-car garage has elegant mahogany doors, cathedral ceilings and windows with second story dormers. It is a fantastic display space for antique or collectible cars. Alternatively, this space could easily be converted to a superlative first floor master bedroom suite, a guest wing or an artist’s studio.

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he property enjoys a 3,000 square foot guest house/design studio, pool with pool house, tennis court, greenhouse, caretaker’s cottage and additional outbuildings. Located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, a quintessential historic New England town, it is an easy hours drive from Manhattan and the major airports. There is train service within 1 mile and a private airport within 10 miles.

T H E ALEXANDER JULIAN E S TAT E

LEGEND 1. Tennis court 2. Gardens 3. Garage 4. Gardens 5. Greenhouse and gardens 6. Pool and pool house 7. Studio 8. Summer cottages 9. Canal 10. Main house 11. Pond 12. Pond 13. Bridge 14. Gardens 15. Orchard Rendering shown is artist’s interpretation.

Details may vary.

323 Florida Hill Road, Ridgefield, Connecticut

Photographs by Joseph Rumore

THE DAVID EVERSON TEAM N E W YO R K

REAL ESTATE AT ITS BEST

. CONNECTICUT

470 MAIN STREET, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877 • 203.246.7150 • DEVERSON@WILLIAMPITT.COM

Article from

RidgeďŹ eld Magazine July/August 2012