Lake Mohawk House Tour 2011

A peek into some of the lake-style homes SPARTA — For the ninth year, the House Committee of Lake Mohawk will sponsor a tour of homes in the Reservation and will feature five houses, both old and new, built in the lake-style. The tour will be held on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. An optional luncheon, the last of the season, will be served on the Boardwalk from 11:30 a.m until 2 p.m. Open to everyone, the luncheon will be $15, but reservations must be made. Tickets for the tour are $25 and may be combined with the luncheon for $35. The tickets may be purchased at the club office and at Photographs Cameras & Video in the Theatre Center beginning Saturday, Aug. 27. If there are any tickets left by the day of the tour they will be available on the Boardwalk from 10 to 11 a.m. No children under 12 or photography will be allowed on the tour, which will take place rain or shine. Proceeds will be used for club need, such as the recently installed stonework on the grotto and steps. For reservation call 973-729-6156. On the tour 2 Grove Terrace This original Crane cabin was completely renovated in 2007 but still sits perfectly sized on the corner as a contemporary but lake-style cottage look. The “Top of the Grove” is the dream home of its retired owners. The custom home is professionally decorated and incorporates an open floor plan and one-floor living on the main level. The living room with a 23-foot wood ceiling and soaring fireplace retained from the original cabin is a charming place to read or entertain. The professionally appointed open kitchen is anchored by a 12-foot granite island and extends to include an entertainment center, a wall of windows and a dining area. Hand-scraped wood floors complete this area. Sliding windows border the dining area and open to the spacious deck with distant views of the Lake. The master bedroom suite with adjoining bathroom and laundry area is also on the first level. This bathroom features custom cabinetry, marble countertops, stone flooring, an oversized jet-tub and separate stall shower. The second floor contains a loft area overlooking the living room that serves as a home office for both homeowners. The adjacent bedroom suite has a cozy reading area and lake views. A special feature of the guest bathroom is the floor tiled with natural stone and river rock. The lower level recreation room has a walkout to the back yard and is fitted with a large screen TV and theater sound system. This charming home has wonderful storage, interesting ceiling variations and unique accent and distinctive bump-out windows which add light to the interior as well as a touch of whimsy. 660 West Shore Trail Originally a lake-style log cabin, this home was originally built in the 1930s and was remodeled in 2010 by the owner and his brother, who run a local construction company. It was designed by the homeowners along with the help of an architect to keep the lake style but to serve the needs of their growing family. It is perfectly sized and perfectly sited on the lot. The outside of this striking home is sided in stucco and wavy board cedar siding and shakes. The trusses and shutters are constructed from the original exposed interior chestnut beams. Entering the home, there is a two-story foyer with a large staircase, curved balcony and iron spindles. Attractive scraped hickory floors enhance the first floor. The original fireplace still stands in the living room with a beautiful chestnut mantle. A large open window allows a view into the great room/kitchen and beyond to the large cedar deck and Lake Mohawk. The great room is where the family spends the most time and boasts a beautiful custom kitchen with cherry cabinets and granite countertops. A large center island and dining table allow for gracious entertaining. There is a gas fireplace with a custom built mantel. Upstairs there are two cbedrooms for the children with a bathroom just across the way. An open sitting room/play room with a Lake Mohawk/Sparta theme has large windows that look out over the koi pond and waterfall just outside. The master suite has a wonderful view through its many windows and especially from the balcony. A Crawford ceiling, custom cabinets and Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom complete the lovely ambiance of this room. 38 Indian Trail This house was built at the end of a cul-de-sac in 1954 as a ranch-style home; it was owned by Dr. Walter Murdock, the founder of the Sparta Ambulance Squad. Originally with stunning scenery of Lake Mohawk, the mature trees now command most of the view, but provide peaceful privacy and daily wildlife sightings. Purchased in 1999 by the current owners, Trail’s End was renovated in 2009 by local craftsmen. It is now a magnificent lake-style home with a tradition of rustic elegance. The high-peaked roofs appear to be slate, but are actually recycled-plastic shingles. The owners added a second story and a tower in the Lake Mohawk style’s mixture of whimsy and dignity. The lighting fixtures and arched doors are reminiscent of a medieval castle. A wood front door underneath timber-frame beams is the welcome to this charming family home. A two-story slate foyer, shining wood floors, soft furnishings and a large collection of Lake Mohawk memorabilia are fondly displayed. There are two bedrooms, a laundry room, guest room and a media room located on the first floor along with the original family room’s re-built fireplace. The large kitchen has custom cabinetry, granite counters and stainless-steel appliances. A cathedral-ceiling party room opens out onto the private patio designed to replicate the Old Faithful Inn. Upstairs is a computer nook and a master bedroom, with its own patio. The master bathroom features a slate floor and shower with separate bathtub and sauna. The stairs continue up to the tower - a perfect place to enjoy a quiet glass of wine and to celebrate the Lake Mohawk atmosphere. 4 Birch Parkway At the entrance of this lakefront home, there is a slate floor with its wildlife inserts. The living room is typical Lake Mohawk style with its vaulted ceiling of original pecky cypress, Crane stone fireplace and vertical logs. A wall of windows look out on the lake. Hickory flooring runs through the living room, office and guest rooms. At the deck entrance, there are nautical inserts to reflect the water view. The kitchen has semi-custom cabinets with a granite countertop. The rear of the stone fireplace makes up one wall. The cozy master bedroom has more of a traditional feel with its cherry flooring and furniture; The tiled bath has an open feeling with a walk-in shower that features glass doors, a window and a pebble floor. The bar area is on the lower level and is perfect for entertaining. The decorations in this home include a collection of unusual salt marsh pottery and many prints and original artwork from the Drue Chryst Gallery. The overall motif, however, is pugs and pineapples, reflecting an owner’s pride and passion. 15 Crestwood Trail Half-hidden from the road, this jewel of a home has a slate roof, a stone front and eyebrow windows and is the epitome of Lake Mohawk style. The living room is completely paneled in pecky cypress and features a Crane stone fireplace and a large window seat with windows looking out onto the treetops. The coffee table is made from an old-fashioned sleigh. The long, galley kitchen with its black granite countertop is painted a dark blue-green, and has lots of storage. It opens into the breakfast room with its bow windows that face the front garden. This area is part of the long, dining room that also contains a freestanding bar. There is a large bedroom suite on one end of the house with Hollywood-style posters and even a stand-up of James Dean. The other side of the home contains a master suite with a sitting room, tons of closets and a b bathroom with a huge bathtub by a window with a view. There is also another little bathroom in that area with original green tile walls and floor. The downstairs includes an attractive, inviting family room and another bedroom and bath. A private back yard features a fire pit and majestic old trees - a perfect place to enjoy the Lake Mohawk setting.