The formal living room, in the center of the house, allows flow from the foyer to the backyard and hearth room/kitchen.

French Normandy-style home at 35794 Solon Road in Bentleyville.

By RITA KUEBER
French Normandy-style houses are by definition elegant and architecturally compelling, not to mention sweepingly romantic, with stone surfaces, arched entryways, pitched roofs, and an asymmetrical layout. The house at 35974 Solon Road is a classic example of this appealing style, a house that has flowing interior spaces, plenty of natural light, and charming details
throughout.
Forget the boxy look of many Colonials and the sharp angles of contemporary houses. Visitors to this home will immediately notice its playful, sea-green window accents, slate roof, stone façade, and an outstanding arch over the front door that has an oriel window just above. Inside, the house has been meticulously maintained and

The library/den has a stunning coffered ceiling and bow window.

beautifully decorated in traditional colors, applied in atypical and engaging ways.
The two-story foyer is painted in dark tones, beautifully offsetting the marble flooring, and white molding, spindled stairway, and decorative columns. To the left through an arched doorway, the formal dining room has two large built-in corner cabinets and tall windows. A butler’s pantry leads to the kitchen off the dining
room.
To the right is an airy, living room that has a carved fireplace. The separate, striking library/den has a coffered ceiling and paneling, a fireplace, plus a stylish bow window set like a gem in the front wall. A spacious family room is tucked between the living room and the kitchen

The kitchen has room for working and entertaining, a breakfast bar, an eat-in area, built-in storage, and desk space, and connects to the hearth room.

at the back of the house. This room has its own fireplace, a high, beamed ceiling, and a wall of windows.
The chef’s kitchen is open to a hearth room that has a fireplace, and a small study/office area. This area has a beamed ceiling as well, hardwood floors, a curving back staircase, and an abundance of windows. French doors lead to the backyard. The workspace has a central island, sink and breakfast bar, stainless appliances, and yards of counter space. A small room off the kitchen has cleverly been converted from a laundry room to a pantry that has a sink, storage, counter space, and small oven. It’s a good use of the space, as the stone arched breezeway that connects the house to the garage makes for a captivating outdoor dining space, and the pantry has a
pass-through.

A soaking tub, steam shower, walls of windows, and interplay between dark and light surfaces makes the owner’s bath an oasis of relaxation.

Upstairs, the laundry has been tucked into a closet adjacent to a bonus room that could be an office, studio, playroom, or craft room. The second-floor owner’s suite is a spa-like retreat. In addition to a comfortable sitting room with a mantled fireplace, arched doorways lead to walk-in closets full of built-in cabinets. The bath has a soaking tub, steam shower, pedestal sink, and private lav. The bedroom itself opens out onto a private patio that has views of the backyard and woods behind the house. There are three additional bedrooms and two more full baths on the second floor. There is one guest suite on the first floor as well, plus a full bath.
On the lower level is a beautifully appointed club room that has a private bar, sitting area, and game area. There’s space for an exercise room as well. The lower level walks out to a landscaped and terraced backyard, an outdoor kitchen and dining area, perfect for entertaining and relaxing, surrounded by greenery – the city and suburbs seemingly miles away. One final amenity is an unfinished space over the garage, which can be finished as the new owner desires.
Overall, the house at 35974 Solon Road has 8,796 square feet on six acres. Five bedrooms, five full and three half baths, seven fireplaces over two stories. Chagrin Falls school district. The attached garage has three bays, the property has well water and a septic system, central air throughout. Minutes from Solon shopping districts and the Metroparks, plus easy access to highways. Built in 1992.
Represented by Adam Kaufman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 35974 Solon Road is listed at $2,075,000 at press time with annual taxes of $30,451. Contact Adam Kaufman at 216-831-7370, or adamkaufman@howardhanna.com.