By Gretchen A. Peck

“Fall in love with this handsome Old Lyme village colonial, tucked privately in the center of it all, yet a world away,” the listing for 7 Bittersweet Lane in Old Lyme begins. The four-bedroom, four-bath single-family home presides over lawn, gardens and 1.8 acres of land. Nancy Mesham and Linda Marsh, part of the Nancy Mesham Team at Coldwell Banker Realty in Old Lyme, are the seller’s agents.

Mesham took some time to introduce Welcome Home to the property.

“Purchased by the seller in 2015, the home was in great shape,” she explained. “The current owner focused on capitalizing on the light and opened the spaces with white walls and millwork. Two powder rooms were updated and hardwood flooring added and refinished. The original builder-owner designed a forward thinking, open, yet classic layout. It's a timeless design.”

The house affords a buyer 3,437 square feet of living space. The main-level floor plan comprises an entry foyer and powder room, a formal living room, and open-plan kitchen and dining area, a large family room with a fireplace, and a screened porch. One of four bedrooms, the primary bedroom suite is also on the first floor.

“The kitchen is well designed with exceptional storage, east access to the mudroom and a fabulous dining area. The outdoor access makes this a hub for outdoor living,” Mesham noted.

“Oak floors are found in all areas except the kitchen and mudroom spaces. The heated porch is bluestone,” she added.

It may be of interest to home-hunting buyers to know that the house and outdoor living spaces are seamlessly integrated, with great entertaining “flow.”

“The public rooms open to two porch spaces and a deck designed to entertain. You might enjoy breakfast on the deck with easy access to lawn games in the afternoon and move to the screened porch at dusk. The outdoor living season is extended to year-round on the southeast facing, heated stone porch. All of the outdoor spaces are enjoyed privately, with a surround of mature trees,” Mesham remarked.

Three additional bedrooms—including one with a private balcony—are positioned on the second level, with a full shared bath and large walk-in closet. The house also has a lower level, with rec room, storage and workshop/utility space.

Another attribute that makes this property appealing is the geothermal heating and cooling system in place.

“Geothermal heating-cooling is seldom found, due largely to the higher ‘upfront’ cost of drilling another well exclusive to the heating system,” Mesham said. “It operates on a simple heat exchange using the underground temperature—between 50- and 60-degrees—and heating or cooling the difference between that and the desired inside air temperature, usually 70- to 72-degrees. It’s a clean and renewable energy source.”

For buyers who may be coming to the area from other parts of the state or country, Old Lyme has a distinctive personality as a place to live. Mesham explained, “Old Lyme village is such an incredible place, and this property allows you to feel a part of the village while maintaining a bit of privacy. The property is tucked away at the end of the cul-de-sac, with mature landscape and level topography—perfect for a large garden or possibly a pool.

“The Nature Conservancy deemed the mouth of the Connecticut River and Old Lyme, ‘One of the last great places on earth.’ I couldn’t agree more,” Mesham added. “The sunsets from the backyard, the diversity of bird and wildlife right in your backyard is simply breathtaking. Living in Old Lyme allows you to immerse yourself in the outdoors, with preserves and open space, waterways, beaches, art and history. Families enjoy well-regarded schools, along with the optional four-year-old full-day preschool. The town embraces volunteerism. And nothing beats the Lyme Street Memorial Day parade and village Halloween parade and trick or treating. It's a wonderful place.”

Property: 7 Bittersweet Ln., Old Lyme

Bedrooms: 4

Baths: 4

Square Footage: 3,437

Acreage: 1.8

Asking Price: $895,000

Seller’s Agents: Nancy Mesham and Linda Marsh, the Nancy Mesham Team, Coldwell Banker Realty; Office: (860) 434-8600; Mesham’s Mobile: (860) 227-9071; Marsh’s Mobile: (860) 227-6424; nancy.mesham@coldwellbankermoves.com; linda.marsh@coldwellbankermoves.com