Supplements: Elegant Berkshire Cottage - Renovated and restored to the grandeur of yesteryear. This home sits on 58+ acres on a street of fine homes and protected land. Enjoy the mountain views and the walking distance to the village of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.The property is located on the south side of a forested area know as Laura's Mountain where ice r ... (Read more) Elegant Berkshire Cottage - Renovated and restored to the grandeur of yesteryear. This home sits on 58+ acres on a street of fine homes and protected land. Enjoy the mountain views and the walking distance to the village of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.The property is located on the south side of a forested area know as Laura's Mountain where ice remains deep within the rock crevices during the hottest of summers. Built in 1915, and known then as the "Villa Virginia" this home is a significant example of Mediterranean Renaissance Revival architecture, rumored to be a replica of an Italian villa in the Sabine hills of Italy. Designed by architect H.Hobart Weekes of the Manhattan firm of Hill and Weekes. The landscape architect was Ferruccio Vitale. Box woods and other shrubs surround the rebuilt front patio reminiscent of the original design. Italian artisans adorned the coffered ceiling in the main salon with hand painted cherubs, the dining room ceiling with gilded rosettes and zodiacal signs on the loggia ceiling. There are 4 fireplaces on the main level each distinct and functional. In an article in "Town and Country" magazine (1948), "Laurel-mere" was mentioned as having had "the sand brought in from the Sahara, the onyx from Italy and the boxwood from Virginia". Hidden behind a line of evergreens you enter the property thru electronically controlled wooden gates passing a small pond to the front entry complete with half round drive, water feature and ornamental pond. The marble steps lead into an air lock entry and and a foyer with black and white marble flooring .The vestibule is comprised of a reception area, coat room, powder room and graceful curved marble staircase. The spacious and light filled library is currently used as an office and family space with internet and wifi. Book shelves flank three walls, some with custom doors to hide modern amenities such as TV and electronics. The gleaming wood floors, original French doors and two identical gray marble fireplaces make this a warm and cozy room. The loggia with tile floor and painted vaulted ceiling is waiting for you to relax for hours in this seasonal room with original fountain and window wall with southern exposure. The main salon overlooks the terrace and enjoys the eastern light.The polished floors, hand painted coffered ceiling and over-sized imported fireplace make this the perfect place to welcome guests The spacious dining room overlooks a stone patio and has a coffered ceiling with gilded rosettes and additional fireplace, two pink Corinthian marble pillars and four chandeliers. The custom dining room table is 18 feet long and seats fourteen comfortably. The modern kitchen is steps away through the original swinging door. A country kitchen offers an over sized island for food prep and built in seating. Corian counters, whimsical tiles and breakfast table make this a delightful room for a busy family or staff. Two Sub-zero refrigerators and full freezer, two dishwashers, two ovens, Gaggenau cook top, microwave and beverage frig fit well in this efficient kitchen. An over sized original sky light adds warmth and sunlight. Off the kitchen is a small family room, pantry and two powder rooms. The kitchen leads to a rear entrance with mudroom and a walled courtyard, (an area originally built for a kitchen garden and private use). Approach the second level from this custom French marble staircase with Gothic curved ceiling and architectural accents. The Bulls Eye Glass custom window that illuminates the stairway and accentuates the elegant luxury of this fine home. The master suite is comprised of a two rooms separated from the guest bedrooms by French doors. A hand painted soft blue design border the ceilings. A sitting room includes a fireplace with the inscription "This corner of the earth smiles for me more than any other" carved into the mantel. Enjoy easy access to a roof top patio from a French door. The spacious bedroom offers easterly views of the "Berkshire Hills, ample storage, private tiled bath and fireplace. There are three spacious on suite guest rooms with fireplaces and two additional bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath. A rear staircase leads to the kitchen below as well as the third floor where there are four additional bedrooms and two full baths....a perfect area for kids and grand kids. Easy access to the full attic for convenient storage. A full basement houses the utilities (updated and efficient) three oil fired furnaces, one oil fired steam boiler (3rd floor heat) and over-sized hot water heater, heat ex changer for air conditioning. Property is serviced by public water and private septic.Main house has a 3-4 year old slate roof. 200+ amperage, with sub panels in several locations. The SNUGGERY is a free standing carriage barn/guest house. Three horse stalls, tac room, area beneath the barn for carriage storage. The main floor has a small studio with full bath and kitchenette. This four bedroom, three bath building offers a full kitchen, dining room, two fireplaces, roof top deck, cedar closet and tower room. Oil fired hot water radiator heat. Throughout history this quaint building had many uses; carriage barn, school house, guest house. 3 OIL FURNACES 1 OIL FIRED STEAM BOILER OVERSIZED HOT WATER HEATER, CENTRAL AIR 3 ABOVE GROUND OIL TANKS PROPERTY IS SERVICED BY PUBLIC Water AND PRIVATE SEPTIC (1998) Chimneys HAVE ALL BEEN REBUILT OR REPAIRED Most of the light fixtures are original and have been restored. The interior has been recently painted. There is a security system in place and exterior cameras Original lighting fixtures throughout Staircase and fireplaces inported from France and Italy. This house is 95 % original in detail The square footage is an interior figure. 12,000 sq. ft. Guest house is 5000 sq. ft.