By Gretchen A. Peck

The A Team at William Pitt Sotheby’s Old Lyme brokerage—Allyson Cotton and Liz Squillacote—are the listing agents for a unique property on 40 acres in Lyme, Connecticut. Known as “Redwing,” it comprises a renovated and expanded colonial residence with five bedrooms, six baths, expansive terraces, a party barn/guest house, solar array and an attached two-car garage with EV charging stations. The asking price is $3.7 million.

Welcome Home spoke with the owners this week about the property.

They’d lived in Boston for 15 years, but as they prepared to welcome their second child, they longed to move a more rural setting. The couple explored Lyme and appreciated its sense of community, arts and culture.

Previous owners completed a grand-scale renovation and expansion of the home, but they wanted to put their own design stamp on the interiors. In 2017, they renovated the interiors, as well, while preserving the original 1910-era millwork throughout the 6,510-square-foot interiors.

“We opened up the floor plan, so now there’s a big family room and living room that connects to a very big kitchen and dining room—to make it more family friendly. … It’s a very pretty house, but it also has a really comfortable family dynamic,” the owner said.

There are wide-plank pine floors throughout most of the home. Finished in a warm chestnut brown, they contrast well with the otherwise neutral, bright décor.

An oversized island sits at the center of the kitchen, with an embedded sink that allows you to be working at the sink and still be engaged with people sitting at or gathering around the island. The cabinets are made with non-toxic hardwood; the countertops are quartz, and the appliances are Thermador brand.

“It’s super spacious. When we have people over, [the kitchen] is a great gathering spot—a great holiday spot and party spot,” the owner said. “And you can have a few people cooking at the same time.”

They’ve entertained in the home for occasions with up to 25 guests—having drinks and appetizers in the kitchen and family room and seated dinners in the formal dining room.

“The patio is very special for warmer weather. It’s always breezy and shady, with a leaf canopy overhead. There’s a view of the [Connecticut] River. We’ve had barbecues there, with the kids running around outside and the parents sitting on the patio. We’ve hosted Mother’s Day and Father’s Day parties, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and because it’s close to the kitchen, it’s easy to bring food and dishes in and out,” the seller said.

A widow’s walk tops the home, delivering panoramic views of the woodlands and river.

Earnest buyers will notice the charming red barn on the property. Former owners maintained a pool in the outbuilding, but the current owners felt they’d get more use out of the structure if they created a great-room space for recreation, games and grand-scale parties. For example, they once hosted a fundraiser there for 100 guests. They added gym equipment, a basketball hoop and games that they could play with the kids. The barn also has a bathroom, a kitchenette and a small office space. It’s a flexible amenity that could also be reimagined as a guest house or in-law suite, a private office, creative studio or workshop.

There’s a second outbuilding on the property—a shed, where they’ve kept lawn equipment. It sits next to—and somewhat obscures—a solar array that provides power to most of the property. The couple added charging stations to the garage for their two electric vehicles, which requires supplemental power from the grid, but they said without those, the energy the solar panels generate are capable of sustaining all of the electric needs of the house and barn.

Beyond the house, barn and lawn, the property is mostly woodlands, with a private pond. Naturally, there is an abundance of wildlife living in the ecosystem here. They’ve observed box turtles and varieties of frogs, owls and hawks, deer, bobcats and coyotes living in the forest.

Not only did the owners have 40 acres of their own to explore, the property abuts conservation land. Avid hikers, they were able to chart a course with their young children in hiking backpacks and their beloved dog and navigate miles of trails. Previous owners kept horses here, so it presents the option to be an equestrian property, as well.

The owners appreciated having the charming village of Hadlyme nearby, where they’d visit the market for coffee and artisanal culinary treats. With family in New York and friends and business back in Boston, they were able to travel to both major cities with ease. They also enjoyed the proximity to southern Vermont’s ski resorts. They became members of the Old Lyme Country Club and took the family to the private Fox Hopyard Golf Club.

“Now, they’re building a pool at Fox Hopyard, which is less than five minutes away, so it’s very convenient,” the owner noted.

Property: 44 Ferry Rd., Lyme

Bedrooms: 5

Baths: 6

Square Footage: 6,510

Acreage: 40

Asking Price: $3.7 million

Listing Agents: Allyson Cotton and Liz Squillacote, the A Team at William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Old Lyme brokerage; Cotton’s Mobile: (860) 227-6016; Squillacote’s Mobile: (860) 922-7017; acotton@wpsir.com; lsquillacote@wpsir.com