Luxury Lakeside Living

“I had a vision for this property when I first saw it,” said Amy Trojecki, who oversaw the latest transformation of the stunning secluded waterfront home on Karver Lake. She and husband Joe Dominguez were returning to the area after a three-year hiatus in Chicago and were searching for a special property.

Almost a year passed before they returned to this legacy property, originally granted to William Penn and later owned by such local notables as Karl Kuerner, A. Atwater Kent and George Heyburn (the road’s namesake). “I knew it would be a lot of work to update and create the light, bright feel we wanted, but I had a plan,” continued Amy. “And I wanted to make the most of the lake views.”

Set on seven acres, the one-of-a-kind home is 12,000 square feet with seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. “It’s a big home, yet every room has a purpose. The three of us actually use all the rooms,” Amy added. “And it’s wonderful for entertaining for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve with our extended family. Plus, our daughter’s friends love to come for sleepovers. There are hidden staircases, nooks and special places.”

And who wouldn’t enjoy a private lake? “There are bass and bluegills in it,” added Joe. Amy shared the story of a grandfather who asks to bring his grandson fishing there each year.

The Transformations

Originally built as a Friends meeting house, the structure was converted to a typical Pennsylvania farmhouse using stone from a nearby quarry. And, like many historic properties, it was added to and updated to suit a variety of tastes.

The prior owners teamed with Archer & Buchanan Architecture and Dewson Construction to remove historically inconsistent features and to add complimentary spaces needed for modern living in the now-stately Georgian mansion. Local artisans’ craftsmanship is reflected in architectural details, wood flooring and preserved period hardware.

Part of Amy and Joe’s reinvention of the property, with the help of Curtis Cruse Construction, created a chef-centered, eat-in kitchen, anchored by a massive marble island and surrounded by amenities like high-end Gaggenau and Sub-Zero appliances (three dishwashers!), full-size wine fridge, built-in coffee station and featuring expansive lake views. Other key projects included updating bathrooms, repainting inside and out, removing walls, exposing stone walls and opening up the space.

Meanwhile, the home became more energy efficient: outdated windows replaced, LED lights swapped in, natural gas heating installed, fireplaces converted to gas. The result is a tasteful blend of period-appropriate details showcased in a thoroughly modern setting.

Highlights

Three thoughtfully designed stories plus a lower entertainment/recreation level embody modern livability. A few highlights.

A soaring light-filled foyer, marked by a grand staircase and expanses of honey-stained wood floors, foreshadows the scale of the bright, high-ceiling rooms throughout. To the right, two home offices, separated by pocket doors, encourage working from home, while to the left a welcoming gathering space with twin fireplaces warming the sitting and dining areas beckons. Toward the front of the home is a more casual family room accented by an original stone wall.

Ah, the kitchen! Surrounded by custom cabinetry and integrated appliances the modern dream kitchen mixes stone and wood to create a space where everyone will congregate and enjoy meals in the cradle of the bay window overlooking the lake.

The open kitchen space extends to another family area, this one with a massive stone fireplace and windowed nook overlooking the lake — a place for savoring morning coffee or sunset glass of wine. The updated decks, accessed through French doors, provide more space for enjoying the property to the sounds of the nearby water feature.

The back of the home includes the on-trend scullery, walk-in pantry, large mudroom with cubbies and countless closets, washer-dryer, extra fridge and two powder rooms.

On the lower level find a marble bar area with lake views, home theater, craft room, and fitness suite with steam shower and sauna, along with unfinished space. And outside, in addition to a whole-house generator, are a three-bay carriage house plus attached two-car garage with room for vehicles, hobbies and more storage.

Next Steps

The family is now headed to their next adventure.

What will they miss most? “Waking to the lake. And seeing the wildlife — deer, foxes, herons, cranes,” Amy and Joe chimed in. (Though some might miss the 30+ closets!)

For more information about this 7-acre, lakeside Chadds Ford property with 7+ bedrooms, 7.2 bathrooms, contact Camille Gracie, Country Properties, 484-645-3173 (cell), 610-347-2065 (office). CamilleGracie.FoxRoach.com. Price upon request.