Improving on excellence is not easy, but Overlook in Camden, Maine (featured on our cover) elevates already significant architecture along with 21 stunning acres perched above a desirable stretch of Maine coastline to an even higher strata.
By Camilla McLaughlin
Inspired by the iconic Gamble House in Pasadena, California, this home is a prime example of the Arts & Crafts style but interpreted for the 21st century.
As with many contemporary designs, the open concept entry showcases the views of Penobscot Bay and the islands beyond from the moment you step inside. But then the finely-crafted details in the millwork and joinery, and the world-class stained glass are all reminiscent of the more traditional designs of another era, a hallmark of Arts & Crafts design.
There’s a sense of peace here that exudes from the many ponds and waterfalls, and more than 5,000 specimen trees and plants set against the forest and mountainside. Inside and out, you are surrounded by the colors of nature. “The feeling of the house is one of extreme warmth and comfort. There is a purity of design with great value placed on organic materials and artisan-crafted workmanship that melds beauty with utility. There is a wonderful intimacy in the house and the property. This is a place you never want to leave,” says listing agent Scott Horty, with Camden Real Estate Company.
With a full complement of amenities (a large theater/cinema, a game room, a gym, sauna, and an equally wondrous guesthouse) along with the extensive infrastructure (geothermal heating and cooling, whole house generator and solar array hidden among the trees) you may never have to leave!
Beauty, peace of mind and connection to nature are all priceless. But the price of Overlook is $7.9 million…
Dreams of a tropical sanctuary are realized in the home featured on our cover — a beachfront estate at The Abaco Club, a 500-acre private enclave in the Bahamas.
By Camilla McLaughlin
For more information, visit TheAbacoClub.com
Surrounded by more than one-and-a-half acres of palm trees, gardens and tropical foliage, the property is an oasis of privacy, but still a short walk or golf cart ride to everything The Abaco Club offers.
The architecture, a superbly articulated blend of transitional and contemporary styles with a Bahamian flavor, is uniquely suited to the setting. A stately entry with double mahogany doors and a coral stone staircase sets the stage; inside, a spacious vaulted great room transitions to a large dining space and a beautifully outfitted kitchen. The overall feeling invites relaxation, while a sense of understated elegance elevates the experience throughout the home.
Dynamic views of the turquoise waters of Winding Bay and miles of pristine white sandy beach form a backdrop in every room. Disappearing glass walls extend the living to a lanai and covered deck with outdoor dining organized around a spectacular pool. In the master suite, double French doors open to a very private outdoor shower surrounded by mahogany and coral stone walls. The ground level is devoted to ways to play with pool tables, a media room, guest suites and a workout room.
Few, if any, properties in the Bahamas match this singular combination of architecture, privacy, indulgent features and exquisite finishes paired with the services and amenities of an international sporting club.
“The Abaco Club is a desitnation where you can come and do nothing, or you can fill your day with biking, scuba diving, fishing and golf on what is considered the best course in the Bahamas,” shares Kristi Hull, director of sales for The Abaco Club, who is listing the home for $8.750 million. Best of all, limited access and an intimate club setting ensures that whenever you visit you feel like you are coming home.