Our enchanting, year-round ''upside down'' house is located on a one-acre wooded lot on a quiet cul-de-sac; we are in the Old King's Highway Historic District, just off of 6A on the north side of Cape Cod, and only fifteen minutes from the bridges providing access to the Cape. The award-winning design of our home features a classic exterior and a light, airy, and beautiful interior. It is an informal and comfortable house, with a well equipped kitchen, four bedrooms, two full baths, three living rooms, and many outdoor spaces, including a hot tub off of the back deck.
Our numerous windows, careful layout, and an elevated location contribute to wonderful light and excellent cross-ventilation year round, along with central air conditioning as needed. An efficient gas furnace, wood burning stove, and storm windows provide comfort in cooler weather. The house has rapid Internet connection, two ''smart'' HDTVs, ''Alexa'' and a Bose CD player for music, a couple of work spaces, a ping pong table in the basement, and lots of toys, games, art supplies and books for both adults and kids.
The second floor is the primary ''living'' area of the home, with a dramatic great room containing open space living room, dining room and kitchen; the cathedral ceiling is lit from above by a ventilating cupola. The picture window in the second floor living room looks out onto sky, forest, marsh, and harbor, an ever changing vista depending on tide, weather, time of day, season, etc. This comfortable living room has a wood burning stove for winter fires, a small TV, and plenty of seating. Also on the second floor is a fully equipped kitchen with tea/coffee (including a Nespresso machine with frother) and basic food supplies provided for your use, as well as a very quiet dishwasher. The adjoining dining room has a large table that can be expanded to seat up to 10 people and a delightful window seat with bird feeders right outside the windows. A large screened porch opens off of the living room. The 2nd floor master bedroom has a comfortable queen bed, two bureaus, large desk with printer, and two clothes closets. There is an en-suite full bathroom, with shower and bathtub. A cozy, south-facing ''porchette'' opens off of the master bedroom, and is a wonderful outdoor space for sitting on a sunny Spring or Fall day. Since the second floor is the main living floor, it is perfect for a couple who want a contained, but complete, space (please inquire about reduced rates for a couple).
The first floor has three additional bedrooms (two bedrooms with a queen and single bed, and one bedroom with a queen bed); a second bathroom (with shower); a comfortable living room with a large TV and work area; and a light-filled, cozy sunroom for additional seating. There is a very private outdoor shower right outside the side door. The large north-facing wooden deck off of the first floor living room can be accessed by an exterior spiral staircase from the second floor screened porch and also from the first floor living room through French doors. This deck has a forest, marsh and water view, as well as seating, a table, a grill, and a hot tub. Relaxing in the hot tub looking at the starry night sky is a wonderful experience.
We have a large lawn with many trees, rocks, and shrubs; it is very safe for kids, as it is well away from the road. We have a circle swing and a hammock set up during warmer months, lots of room. As noted above, we have several comfortable outdoor spaces, including a screened porch, small porch off the master bedroom, and a back deck with grill. The delightful new HotSprings hot tub sits directly off of the back deck. We also have a very private outdoor shower and an adorable play house with deck overlooking the vernal pool. We also have bikes, kayaks, beach equipment, etc. for your use. Our long crushed-shell driveway can accommodate two to three cars comfortably, with electric car charger, if needed. We have a couple of immediate neighboring houses, but they are barely visible, and our street is very quiet.
While our home feels private and secluded, we are within an easy drive of the villages of Barnstable and Hyannis and very convenient to shopping, restaurants, art galleries, ponds, beaches, scenic drives, etc. Our home is immediately off of historic and scenic Route 6A and one mile from Route 6 (the Mid Cape Highway), which provides fast access to all points on Cape Cod. Our local Whale Watch is just down the road at the Milway Marina in Barnstable. Hyannis, the Cape's biggest town, has frequent ferry boats to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, as well as a mall, and many shops and restaurants, etc. on the colorful main street. The Cape Cod YMCA, which offers reciprocity with other Ys, is one mile down the road from our house. We are within an easy drive of a number of delightful beaches, on both the north and south shores, and also have several nearby ponds. Opportunities for hiking, biking and kayaking abound.
We have somewhat limited availability in July and August because we have family visitors (though you are welcome to ask!) Those familiar with Cape Cod know that the ''off season'' here is quite wonderful. From September through June on Cape Cod you will find fewer tourists, moderate island temperatures, constantly shifting light, tides and seasons, free access to all beaches and ponds, open shops, restaurants, galleries, etc., and a relaxed atmosphere.
Ben and I love being in our house in Barnstable during every season of the year because of the temperate climate, the peace and quiet (particularly during the off-season), the proximity to the sea and endless natural beauty, the ever-shifting play of light on the marsh and water, and the diversity and charm of the Cape Cod towns and landscape. Please come and visit!
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