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The Jewel of Treasure Island
Whether you happen to already be an empty-nester, are starting a new family or fall somewhere in between, this property on Treasure Island Drive has something for everyone. The Chenequa area is already somewhere very special. Beyond the serenity this property and so many others here have to offer; its minutes away from the freeway with easy access to downtown, its close to good shopping options and great restaurants. There are parks, golf and tennis and plenty of hiking and biking trails for the outdoor enthusiasts. This particular property just happens to be only a short walk away from Pine Lake (and a tiny little island of course, hence the street name) and it has its own bit of nostalgia as well.
This seven-plus acre estate was formerly the home of one of the original Harnischfeger farms, and still has the horse barn on the back side of the property. The adjacent spring-fed creek still feeds into a small pond near the homes backyard. Over the decades, towering trees and shrub lines have grown and matured. The winding driveway, designed and cutout by hand, serves as a reminder of how the owners wanted to retain as much of the natural landscape as possible. The home itself was placed in the midst of a large clearing well off the beaten path.
So here we are, seemingly miles away from everything, staring at a gorgeous 5,000-plus square foot home. Surrounded by a professionally manicured lawn and landscape, we stroll along the inlaid stone sidewalk toward the front entrance. The front porch is protected by a Lannon stone border and pillars, and provides a cozy little sitting area to relax or perhaps watch the sun come up in the morning. The double-door entry way has a gridded transom window over the top, a feature youll find common throughout the home. With so many of the doors and windows matched up with these transom combinations, it makes for amazing views of the outdoor surroundings year-round.
The dramatic entranceway immediately exposes the open concept the owners were searching for in their original design. To the left is a formal dining room seating for twelve with natural hardwood floors and a candle-style chandelier as the centerpiece. To the right is a built-in wooden sitting area, with storage cabinets and glass-door protected shelving on either side. Whats really unique about it though, is that once you take a closer look youll notice the cabinets actually pass-through and are shared by the office/den on the other side. The top of the cabinets are in fact cutout several feet short of the ceiling, providing an open air pathway to the den and further enhancing the original open-design concept.
Straight ahead we find the great room. Its warm and welcoming enough for just two, with a granite-surround fireplace graced by matching French doors on either side, but its also big enough for entertaining a large party. Lost in the quiet comfort of the room is the fact that its nearly 500 square feet with a ten foot high ceiling. To the right is the opening for the den, private enough when required and still easily accessible. Custom made built-in storage cabinets and shelving are a nice little touch in this room.
Outside of each of the previously mentioned French doors youll find two mini-balconies, perfect for a quick view of the backyard or just for a little taste of fresh air. Moving toward the kitchen we pass through the dinette area. Inviting as you would expect, and wide open with full window exposure to the patio and the rest of the sculpted yard a level below. This room includes a customized built-in china cabinet as well.
Next we walk into their dream kitchen with a huge granite covered snack bar, complete with a gas cooktop and cast iron grates with a hanging pot holder above. There are professional stainless appliances throughout, built-in refrigerator and pantry storage and deep-cut copper-finished sinks. Once youre done marveling at the kitchen, however, it is hard not to be drawn out to the sunroom.
Passing through an arched entry-way youll find full length floor-to-ceiling windows forming a circular view of the surrounding landscape. The perfect room for every Wisconsinite for any time of season; the tile floors are cool in the summer and heated for the winter. Watch the kids play in the yard; look out into the distance toward the pond with a circulating waterfall or one of the huge flower beds or vegetable and rock gardens, or just sit back and relax. This is really the essence of what the owners were looking to capture in this home. The sunroom also opens to a maintenance free outdoor deck that wraps partially around the room.
Back inside, circling around from the kitchen we pass the powder room on the left and laundry room on the right with walk-in pantry. Both of these rooms include a classy little twist with fire granite counter tops. As we wind around past the formal dining room we can head upstairs toward the bedrooms.
In addition to the spacious landing area at the top of the stairs there are three good-sized bedrooms and two full baths. The master bedroom, of course, is the big attraction on this level. The nine-foot sculpted ceilings give way to more full-length windows with transom tops for a great countryside view. The spa-inspired master bath features a walnut hardwood floor and eight-foot soaking tub. Theres also a private double-walk-in shower in the adjoining room.
Heading back downstairs to the lower level we find the finishing touches in this little treasure in the woods. The basement level has something for everyone; want a little entertainment how about the modernized media room with pull-down movie screen; maybe you just want to relax around the natural fireplace after a workout in one of the TWO sunlit exercise rooms; need to stretch out or wind-down a little bit take a seat in the dry sauna room for a few minutes, or maybe play a game or two of pool? Theres plenty of storage down here and a full bath as well. Lastly you might just want to step out through one of the sets of French doors leading to the exposed stone patio outside. Throw a log into the big fire-pit and enjoy the view of natures finest comfort, character, class and grace all right here in Chenequa. |
