Much admired for decades by neighbors in Wellesley Farms, and lovingly maintained by its owners, the six-bedroom Victorian beauty at 19 Indian Springs Way is both grand and inviting.
The slate-roof house sits majestically above the street amid mature trees, shrubs and lush perennial beds. A rope swing on a large shade tree beckons on the front lawn and stone steps from a rear bluestone patio lead to a large level lawn perfect for play and entertaining, and where one can still imagine garden parties of yesteryear.
The house has beautiful architectural detail in millwork throughout, spacious sun-filled rooms, hardwood floors and high ceilings. Gracious living and dining rooms have fireplaces and the remodeled chef’s kitchen is open to a stunning family room which overlooks a new bluestone patio and gardens. There is also a flexible first-floor office or den. There are six bedrooms and three full up-to-date baths on the second and third floors, and the lower level has a playroom, exercise room, a cedar closet and storage.
The architecture of the house is charming with a large center gable with a bay window with decorative corbels directly above a picture window with a flower-filled window box. There is a covered front porch with a wonderful screened porch which has a stately presence and serves as an outdoor room. New masonry is impressive on the design of a terraced bluestone walk with fieldstone risers bordered by granite pavers, and on the broad front steps in the same stone. The bluestone paver-bordered walk continues to the back of the house and on a new bluestone patio.
The turned staircase is noteworthy for its large bay window with a deep sill and identical side windows with a window seat which flood the foyer with natural light. Another interesting detail is the ivory mortgage button set in the mahogany newel post of the staircase. This little scrimshaw button is said to be a tradition that began on Nantucket in the 19th century to signify that the mortgage was paid off and there were no liens on the property.
Wide entries open to the living room on the right and to the dining room on the left, and there is a doorway at the back of the foyer the leads to the kitchen through a hallway with a back staircase that includes a half-bath.
The living room has a wood-burning fireplace with an Arts & Crafts style tile surround and a picture window with a casement-style section that opens to bring in summer breezes. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open to the screened porch to make this room especially airy and inviting.
The formal dining room has a wood-burning fireplace and the same style picture windows as the living room, and a double floor-to-ceiling side window that opens to the covered front porch. A swing door opens to the kitchen and there is a door to a carpeted den or office which has multiple windows and a wall of built-tin bookcases.
The kitchen has white cabinetry with generous pantry space and granite countertops. The oversize island has two skylights above the breakfast bar seating and overlooks the family room so that the cook can socialize. The island has handy cookbook shelves, a stainless steel sink, Bosch dishwasher and a five-burner gas cooktop by Thermador. The double wall ovens are also by Thermador. Wellesley Homefront: Victorian full of charm and details – Entertainment & Life – The Wellesley Townsman – Wellesley, MA