6 County Line Rd, Mendham, NJ 07945

From its bell tower, chimes ring out over the meadows and hills surrounding The Belfry, a five-acre country estate straddling Mendham and Bernardsville. Only moments from Bernardsville's historic town center and Manhattan bound trains and buses, The Belfry is convenient to the world yet tucked away into the glory of nature. A private road winds to the gated entry. Beyond, seemingly endless outdoor space wraps to the threshold of the four-bedroom residence. The rustically clad exterior commemorates the home's historic farmhouse heritage. Tall architectural lines and the squared portico introduce the uncomplicated clean design found throughout the updated, expanded and meticulously maintained interior. The spacious terra cotta-tiled foyer ushers guests to the step-down great room where once confining walls have given way to an expansive, open gathering space anchored with fireplace and adjacent granite wet bar. Walls of windows offer the first of many views of the home's rolling, pastoral grounds and French doors open onto the patio and free-form pool. Also off the foyer, the cherry-paneled living room with marble-framed fireplace and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves will accommodate a memorable gathering as easily as a contemplative moment. Further along a pentagonal sunroom visually expands the formal dining room each with doorways to the sheltered patio and pool. The kitchen's simple lines complement The Belfry's natural beauty on view at every turn of its well planned design. Yet luxury and convenience are hardly understated. Granite contrasts with tile countertops. Viking, Sub-Zero and Fisher & Paykel appliances provide their recognized robust quality. And a picture window defines the dining nook. White custom cabinetry continues to the adjoining light-filled family room finished with beadboard wainscoting. Modern sensibilities are clearly evident in the thoughtful updates made to the home's second level. Bedrooms original to the home sport generous closets and are accompanied by refurbished baths. The more recently added master suite boasts a bedchamber with French doors fronted with a Juliet balcony, picture window and muralled tray ceiling depicting scenes of the estate's grounds. There is a luxurious bath with jetted tub and light streams from a raised skylight to the enviable dressing room with generous closets and built in tiers of drawers. Also on this level is an office with fireplace, laundry closet, access to the bell tower and a secondary staircase to the main level. Additional features of this beautifully situated and private estate include refinished hardwood floors, pristine carpeting, select surround sound, lately painted siding, recently installed windows, doors and roof, circular paver stone courtyard and stone retention walls. Mechanical systems include 7-zone hot water heating, 2-zone central air, and a whole-house Kohler generator installed in 2013. A two car garage is located on the home's walk-out lower level. Two shed-style outbuildings provide storage for up to four vehicles.