A New Victorian Era
Craig Hawkins The Maury People $3,975,000
Tucked away on a little street you may not have ever known existed is a stately Victorian, clad in grey shingles and bright white trim. On one side of the street is open conservation land, on the other, a handful of houses. Built in 1998, 6 Mayhew Lane is nestled in the middle of the street and delineated by a perfect, white picket fence. The home's bow front provides views both up and down the very quiet street.

The front porch, which is enclosed by a railing featuring ornate, spiral balusters, leads you to the front door; an impressive slab of mahogany that presents an oval, frosted and cut-glass window, echoed by a narrower, oval,side window next to it. Even before setting foot in the house, you can tell that the Victorian era is alive and well in this late 20th century home.

Once within the dramatic entry foyer, you can turn 360-degrees and see a great deal of rich detail in both the woodwork and the color scheme. The trim is largely dark mahogany, while the floor is reclaimed oak that practically exudes charm and character. In the center of the foyer is a large, carved mahogany pedestal which will hold the fresh flowers that will greet you every time you come home.

Straight ahead is the main hallway which leads you back to the kitchen. A detour off this hallway brings you to a sizeable guest bedroom and bath. True to the Victorian style, there is no "great room" in this home, but there is a large sitting area with a fireplace just off the kitchen, as well as a second floor parlor. There is also a mahogany paneled study with its own fireplace - an ideal place to sit, read, write and think.

The formal dining room, to your immediate left, is decorated in dark, earthy hues, and enjoys excellent light from oversized windows. A large crystal chandelier is suspended from the center of an ornate white plaster medallion. Clearly, the designer of this home is fluent in the Victorian architectural vocabulary.

To the right of the foyer is the main stairway which is flanked by a pair of impressive, square newel posts topped by crystal ornaments and decorated with expert carvings in contrasting woods.

The kitchen is a warm and inviting space. It offers an open floor plan with plenty of room for the chef and one or two helpers. The cabinets are a rich, antiqued green. The countertops are highly polished black granite and finished with a simple, rounded edge. The stainless steel appliances are the quality one would expect in such an exquisite home. To the back of the kitchen is the large, sunny, informal, dining space. To the right, behind the kitchen's dramatic island with an inset nickel finish sink and defined by floor-toceiling china cabinets, is the sitting area with its own fireplace.

There is also a laundry/mud room on the first floor.

The second floor features a sunny, front parlor as well as two en-suite guest bedrooms each of which features its own fireplace.

The master suite is perhaps the most impressive feature of the house. The massive fireplace, with classic Empirestyle details, is flanked by a pair of delicate, carved columns. The walk-in closet is one of the largest we've ever seen. In the master bath, a free-standing, clawfoot tub is surrounded by sunny windows covered with gauzy, white café curtains. Opposite, dual sinks are set into a dramatic mahogany sideboard with inset beveled mirrors. There's a large, expertly tiled shower as well as a separate water closet with toilet and bidet. The master bedroom also features its own second story deck, accessible through a pair of French doors, overlooking the back courtyard.

On the third floor, you'll find a fifth bedroom suite with a full bath and a pair of quiet sitting areas for reading or visiting with friends.

Behind the main house, on the opposite side of the open flagstone patio surrounded by perennial gardens, is the property's garage guest house. It features a bedroom and half bath on the first floor. On the second floor, the richly appointed pool room with a wet bar is a place you are sure to enjoy many wonderful evenings with friends..

This six-bedroom, six and one-halfbath Victorian property featuring six fireplaces, in a mature neighborhood just a short walk from downtown, is offered at

$3,975,000. I