If there were ever a time to use the word ‘estate’ in its true sense, it would be Rolling Orchards. A 6 ½ acre property with a sprawling front lawn, expansive side yards, a very private backyard, a Har-tru tennis court, pool and pool house, guest house, and more than fifty mature apple trees of seven different varieties.
Step into a world of elegance and history...
As the Novick family prepares to pass the torch onto the estate’s next lucky owners, they shared some of the property’s illustrious past with B&NC Mag, “This amazing place that we’ve had the good fortune to call home for the last two decades was previously ‘home’ to quite a few notable New Canaanites before us: Faith Hill and Tim McGraw lived here during the filming of Stepford Wives in the early 2000s, the CEO of General Electric, Jack Welch, lived here, and the philanthropic Dunning family before that!”
The main house features 7 fireplaces, 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a chef’s-grade country kitchen with the stove inset to a cozy hearth and an oak island set over reclaimed brick floors from an Italian church.
The rambling first floor seems to have never-ending living spaces to accommodate all kinds of entertaining. A cozy light-filled sitting room is just off the kitchen, and in another wing of the house a 800+ square foot elegant living room leads to a slightly less formal oversized family room with walls of windows on three sides to enjoy the views of the apple orchards. A formal dining room could easily accommodate thirty or more guests for a Thanksgiving dinner.
Separate wings of the upstairs provide plenty of space and privacy for every member of the family — leaving ample room for guests. The central hall has plenty of gathering or relaxation space with a homework room, large built-in window bench nook, and a guest suite.
The Novicks turned the North wing of the upstairs into a respite for their three daughters with an adorable central shared bathroom outfitted with three Waterworks polished nickel sinks, an oversized bathtub, walk-in shower and separate commode room that, if not for the adorable pink touches throughout, could easily be mistaken for the primary suite…
… that is… until someone comes across the true primary suite – which is unmistakably principal, and takes over the entire South wing of the upstairs with a 600+ square foot main room with ample space for a Texas King, multiple sitting areas, and even a fireplace. The suite also features a renovated bathroom, built-in closets, a home gym, and large balcony overlooking the completely secluded backyard.
A separate guest cottage is a complete moment all on its own… like being transported to one of the guest suites at The Auberge Mayflower, any guest or in-law would be right at home in this positively charming large studio space with a sitting area, kitchenette, full bath and laundry, and ravishing matching transom windows.
Out on the grounds, perennial gardens, that have been featured on the garden tour, and beautiful rolling landscapes create a picturesque surrounding. Dozens of species of mature specimen trees are irreplicable and remarkable; a Weeping Beech tree curtains behind the pool cabana, an evergreen Lawson Cypress, Lily Magnolia, Majestic Old Sugar Maples, Eastern Red Cedars, and Sapphireberry Trees are all cared for by an expert Arborist. With over six acres to explore, Rolling Orchards is a haven for any nature-lover.
The Har-tru tennis court is perfectly exposed and shaded, creating an optimal environment for any athlete.
Each fall, the Novicks invite a local preschool to bring the kids for apple picking and host a day of apple picking for friends and family. A surplus is donated to an area food pantry.
As if all that wasn’t enough… A completely secluded farm-fenced pool area has its own pool cabana with a bathroom, shower, full kitchen and indoor and outdoor sitting areas for Slim-Aarons-style entertaining.
Orchard Ridge is more than just a home; it's a sophisticated retreat that offers the best of New Canaan living with one delight after the next around every corner.
Orchard Hill is for sale for $4,995,000.
Call Hannelore Kaplan at Raveis 914-450-3880
As featured in the November/December 2024 issue of Bedford & New Canaan Magazine