By Gretchen A. Peck

Realtor Sue Darmon, of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, is hosting public open houses at 49 Willard Avenue, Old Saybrook, this weekend, on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The three-bedroom home is part of a luxury-home waterfront community on South Cove. It made its market debut this week. The seller is asking $1.679 million for the property.

The house was custom built in 2000 by the seller’s parents, who’d moved from Greenwich to Old Saybrook to be closer to their daughter’s family and their grandchildren. The family gathered here for an untold number of memorable events, including sleepovers, stargazing from the patio, cooking sessions with grandma and kayaking and fishing with grandpa on South Cove.

The architectural design called for a gabled roofline, with dormers and an abundance of windows to take full advantage of the coastal views laid out before it. The owners chose a soft shade of green for the exterior, a fitting color for the natural environment surrounding it.

The 4,216-square-foot interiors balance a blend of formality and day-to-day casual living. For example, the main-level floor plan affords both formal living and dining rooms, with hardwood floors and columns defining the spaces.

“On the flip side, you have a much more casual, big, open kitchen, dining area and great room, with a fabulous cathedral ceiling. It makes such a statement,” Darmon said. A fireplace anchors the room at one end, and nearly an entire double-height wall of glass looks out to a terrace and to the water beyond it.

A buyer might choose a transitional approach to décor, cleverly blending antique and modern furnishings. The interiors also lend themselves to “elevated coastal” décor. “It’s a beautiful, well-built house, with all neutral colors,” Darmon said.

The kitchen has a warm, welcoming aesthetic. The owners chose custom wood cabinets, and there are lots of them, the listing agent pointed out. An island with seating sits at the room’s center, and to one side, there’s a built-in desk — an invaluable little feature for home management tasks or afterschool homework sessions.

The counters are crafted in sustainable bamboo, while the island topper is made of granite.

“When you stand at the sink, you have beautiful views of the cove,” Darmon attested.

For buyers who may need home office space, there is a dedicated office on the main level, spacious enough to accommodate two desks, Darmon noted. “All of the rooms are large.”

One of three bedrooms, the primary suite has a vaulted ceiling and spectacular views of the cove, with exterior access out to a private second-level balcony deck. Plus, it has three walk-in closets.

Buyers considering this property may also appreciate the large cedar closet, as well — the perfect place to offload off-season wardrobe items.

Guests will appreciate the protected cover of the porte cochere as they arrive to special occasions held here. The terrace at the front of the house provides plenty of room for seating and dining furnishings.

The 0.46-acre property comes with deeded right-of-way access to the cove, a highly desirable “amenity” for kayaking, fishing and paddle-board enthusiasts.

For information about Old Saybrook’s public schools, visit oldsaybrookschools.org.

“The location represents the best of both worlds,” Darmon suggested. “You’ve got this very quiet, tranquil setting on a cul-de-sac street, yet you’re within walking distance to Saybrook Point and Main Street.”

If you plan to attend the public open houses this weekend, please note that the property’s postal address is 2 Sheffield Cove, though the entrance to the circular drive is at 49 Willard Avenue.

Property: 49 Willard Ave., Old Saybrook (aka 2 Sheffield Cove)

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 3

Square Footage: 4,216

Acreage: 0.46

Asking Price: $1.679 million

Seller’s Agent: Sue Cohn Darmon, William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Essex brokerage; Mobile: (860) 707-6879; Office: (860) 767-7488; sue.darmon@sothebysrealty.com