Surrounded by peace and quiet, the tiered deck and outdoor brick fireplace beautifully offset this home’s gracious presence and classic lines.

The private lake has a gazebo with its own deck that overlooks much of the 15-acre property.

By RITA KUEBER
This lovely, classic home is overflowing with charm and grace, alive with history and rich in texture. Dozens of little feet have scampered along its hardwood floors, upstairs to bedroom suites and downstairs to the family room with its large brick fireplace, the separate indoor pool room and attached deck. No doubt these journeys, including trips to the adjacent private pond will be duplicated by dozens more little feet in years to come. This is a house just waiting to be filled with life, laughter, entertainment and family fun.
From the tidy brick entry, up two steps into the foyer, the house expands in width but its depth has only one room back or front, allowing for generous views of the surrounding lawns and woods. To the left the step-down formal living room has a bay window and fireplace. Through this space is an extraordinary sunroom capped by a barrel vaulted beam ceiling. An additional cozy space toward the middle of the house, a library, offers paneled walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, built-in shelves and a brick fireplace and hearth. The formal dining room has sconce lighting, white wainscoting, and is currently painted an elegant Chinese red.

The kitchen offers natural light, plenty of workspace and storage, plus eat in areas and access to the back decks.

The cheerful kitchen has its own spacious eat-in nook, hardwood floors and cabinets. Updated and abundantly equipped, it has upscale appliances plus a countertop range, additional beverage chiller, and a work island/breakfast bar. Sliding glass doors open to the top level of the tiered deck behind the house. Off the kitchen is a back entrance/laundry room. Located here is a tiled floor sink, perfect for rinsing off muddy boots or muddier dogs.
Built in 1961, the original owner scooped up architectural bits from Longwood, John L. Severance’s estate in Cleveland Heights, when that house was demolished. Those salvaged pieces were incorporated into this house. Examples include several wood lintels (seen in the foyer), drawers for sheet music in a room on the second floor, and wrought iron numbers displayed above the fireplace in the lower-level den.

The roomy, wood-paneled den has an inviting hearth, plenty of built-in shelves and a deep bay window overlooking the backyard.

Each successive owner has been a careful steward and has also added onto the the home, so that now the house has a fresh, bucolic sensibility, coupled with an air of refinement and authenticity. One of the most recent editions is a new wing housing the first-floor master suite. Inside this private world is a small center hall, walk-in closets and his and her full baths. The gorgeous bedroom itself has a high ceiling, arched windows, fireplace and private balconies.
Upstairs are four bedroom suites sharing three full baths, plus access to the back and front staircases. The walk-out lower level has a den/family room warmed by a brick fireplace, a wine room, kitchenette and the enclosed indoor pool. Outside, in addition to the various decks, a screened gazebo that has its own deck graces the small pier atop the man-made pond, perfect for watching birds or sunsets.
Overall, 1260 County Line Road has a total of just under 8800 square feet, five bedrooms, five full and two half baths, four fireplaces and two garages, one attached, and one detached, ideal for a collector or hobbyist. The house has zoned heating and is air conditioned throughout. It is also convenient to shopping, dining, hospitals and the highway. Although it cannot be seen directly from the property, Hawken Upper School is across the street.
Represented by Adam Kaufman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services 1260 County Line Road is listed at $1,795,000 at press time and annual taxes of $34,862. Contact Adam Kaufman at 216.831.7370, or adamkaufman@howardhanna.com.