By G.A. Peck

The four-bedroom single-family home at 351-B Boston Post Road in East Lyme is offered to the market for $849,900. Susan Turner, a Realtor with William Raveis in Niantic, is the sellers’ representative.

Turner’s clients, Evelyn and Rick Perry, acquired the property in December 2010. They were moving to the area from upstate New York, and hoped to find a home where they could keep horses. They settled into the home and began a full renovation of the main level in 2011.

The interiors afford 3,561 square feet of living space, with hardwood floors and two fireplaces — one retrofitted for a more efficient wood stove. The main-level floor plan begins just inside the front door. It opens to a foyer, which leads right or left. To the right is the primary bedroom suite. Take a left, and it leads into expansive living room. The kitchen sits adjacent to the living room, and in turn leads to the formal dining room, a bathroom, laundry/mudroom, and to the attached garage.

During the renovation, the Perrys also created a kitchen that accommodated the family and friends — a kitchen that could handle even the most demanding culinary occasions, like Thanksgiving dinner.

“Cooking for Thanksgiving is actually one of my passions,” Perry said. She lauded the large island, double ovens, and solid-wood cabinetry made from UBS. Perry also noted how the more formal dining area in the home is separate from the kitchen, “so nobody sees the mess you’ve created while cooking,” she said. “We added drawers under the gas cooktop, where you can store your pots, pans and cooking utensils. Above the double ovens, I had a divided cabinet built for baking sheets and pizza pans.”

The Perrys took most of their meals around the island or at the more informal kitchen table, but the more formal dining area was a wonderful space for dinner parties over the years.

The house has a few bonus spaces, as well, including a second-floor family room and a heated solarium that can be used year-round.

“I have a couple Adirondack chairs in the sunroom, which we used year-round. You can sit out there and read, and in the wintertime, it’s where I’d bring in my plants,” she explained.

One of four bedrooms, the primary suite is on the main level. Its bathroom has dual vanity sinks, a soaking tub, walk-in shower and three walk-in closets. There’s a second bedroom on the upper level that has a private bath, as well.

“There is plenty of room for out-of-town guests and family, and the floor plan provides bathrooms and privacy for all,” the listing agent noted.

Two family bedrooms have worked well as home offices, the listing agent noted.

The house has three heating zones and is hard-wired for a future generator, should the buyer wish to add one.

Outside, there’s a small barn where the family’s horses were kept, with a pasture for grazing. And with more than 7 acres, Perry suggested that a buyer with horses might also add a riding ring to the property.

Among the grounds around the house, there’s both an in-ground pool and a hot tub. Asked how often they used these amenities, Perry said they enjoyed the pool every day in the summertime and relaxed in the hot tub a few times a week.

When they bought the property, they inherited some lovely landscaping, but over the years, they’ve added some perennial plants and shrubs for color and texture.

The property is just a couple of miles from the “Flanders Four Corners” business district. Plus, it affords an easy commute to the area’s major employers, including General Dynamics/Electric Boat, Pfizer, L&M Hospital, Dominion Energy and the casinos.

“What I’ve loved about the property is the seclusion and privacy, but I know that when I go down my driveway, I’m in East Lyme, with all the amenities I need. … We’re only a couple of hours from New York City and Boston,” the seller said.

“This region is wonderful for culture, museums, concerts, the aquarium, the beaches,” she added. “I mean, you’re never bored here. There’s always something to do every weekend.”

William Raveis is hosting a public open house at the property on Sunday, July 24, from noon to 2 p.m.

Property: 351-B Boston Post Rd., East Lyme

Bedrooms: 4

Baths: 4

Square Footage: 3,561

Acreage: 7.27

Asking Price: $849,900

Sellers’ Agent: Susan Turner, William Raveis Real Estate, Niantic office; Office: (860) 739-4455; susan.turner@raveis.com

Photos and Captions: (*all photos contributed by William Raveis Real Estate)