Gracious 1937 architecture and a fearless contemporary eye live in rare harmony at this Louis W. Ballou-designed brick Colonial, set on more than three-quarters of an acre at the quiet back of Windsor Farms. Home to artist and textile designer Lindsay Cowles, it has been thoroughly renovated with respect for its original 10-ft ceilings, dentil moldings and rich paneling across more than 7,500 square feet on four levels. The commanding heated marble foyer opens to the dining room with a bay window and to the living room, which is equal parts sophisticated and playful, under a checked grasscloth ceiling and Luke Lamp Co. lighting. The kitchen, designed through the combined lens of a classically trained chef and an artist, pairs white oak cabinetry and a hand-reeded island with striking Calacatta Viola marble, La Cornue, Sub-Zero and Wolf, with a hidden walk-in pantry. An arched jewel-box bar leads to the color-drenched library, and a heated-limestone family room with an impressive slatted fireplace wall and curved bar overlooks the gardens through new windows. The mudroom with drop-zone lockers and an adjoining pool bath opens to the pool. The primary suite includes a walk-in closet, TV lift, steam shower and custom radius vanities, plus an adjoining bedroom and bath that work as a second dressing room and bath. All bathrooms are renovated with Waterworks fixtures, designer tile, custom vanities, and heated floors. The systems match the finishes: new electrical with three 200-amp panels, plumbing and HVAC, reverse osmosis water, and a commercial-size generator. Outside, Charles Gillette's original gardens, refreshed by Marcia Fryer, frame bluestone terraces, a private yard, and a renovated saltwater pool with a heater/chiller. Seven bedrooms, 6 full and 3 half baths, a third-floor playroom with bar, a lower-level rec room and gym with sauna, and a 3-car garage complete the home. A Ballou house, finished by an artist, every corner touched.
