By Gretchen A. Peck

The three-bedroom colonial at 9 Barbers Road in Norwichtown is a house with some surprises. The simple, uncluttered exterior—white, with green shutters to match the front door—leans to more traditional colonial architecture of its era. The house was built in 1987. But inside, the interiors balance colonial traditionalism with a more elevated-rustic design. William Raveis Real Estate Broker Barrie Jill “BJ” Lee is the seller’s Realtor, and she offered Welcome Home some insight into the property, currently on the market for $374,500.

A kitchen, a great room-style family room, a living room just off the kitchen and two additional interior spaces, plus a partial bath and laundry make up the home’s first floor.

Millwork plays a starring role among the 2,534-square-foot interiors. The post-and-beam family room is made extra cozy by a wood stove fireplace insert and radiant-heated flooring.

“This room creates a great flow to the kitchen for entertaining,” Lee noted.

The kitchen has wood cabinetry, a tile floor, white counters and appliances in black and stainless finishes. It has a large footprint, and should a buyer want to update the design, the dimensions will be accommodating.

“The kitchen layout is spacious, and it has a slider out to multiple decks overlooking the wonderful, private yard,” the listing agent said.

There are two rooms just off the family room that afford the next owner some flexibility as to how they use the spaces. Lee suggested they could perhaps be used as home office space, a music room, craft room or even a fourth bedroom. Upstairs, just off the primary bedroom suite is a loft area that overlooks the family room below. This would also make a nice nook for a desk.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor, including the primary suite, with a private bath. The two additional bedrooms share a full hall bath.

Lee’s client, the seller, made a number of improvements to the property. The septic system was recently repaired; new hardwood floors were laid, and a roof was put on in recent years, the seller reported to Welcome Home.

A complement to the main house, a barn has an attached dog run that may be of interest to buyers with pets. The seller acknowledged that the barn could benefit from some repairs but is “solid overall.”

The property’s 1.88 acres is abutted by hundreds of acres of undeveloped, wooded land, bordered by Scotland Road and High Street.

“It’s very private, especially in the backyard, and it has a wonderful country feeling, with pretty land, trees and stone walls. Yet, it’s 3 miles from coffee shops, markets and highways,” Lee said.

“Norwich and Norwichtown are historic areas, with pretty architecture,” she added. “The Norwichtown Green is a great place for summer concerts, or nice areas to walk, on your own or with your dog or babies.” She noted that places like a public golf course, skating rink, Mohegan Park, a bowling alley, museums, theaters, restaurants, craft breweries, local wineries, and historic sites are all close by.

“Of course, many buyers come to the area for the Norwich Free Academy, NFA, high school, which offers many diverse programs in the arts, theater, sports and more,” Lee concluded.

Property: 9 Barbers Rd., Norwich

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 3

Square Footage: 2,534

Acreage: 1.88

Asking Price: $374,500

Seller’s Agent: Barrie Jill “BJ” Lee, Broker Associate, William Raveis Real Estate, Norwich brokerage; Mobile: (860) 213-2853; bj.lee@raveis.com