Equinunk home mixes modern with tradition

EQUINUNK, PA — Looking for a private oasis? This cheery home is tucked in among the trees and lies not far from the Delaware River.

Drive up a long country lane that’s pretty in the summer and simply stunning in the fall. Sitting on a knoll above the road, the house is surrounded with mature trees, including red maple and weeping cherry. From the outside, the home is all about tradition: pristine white siding, the crisp accent of shutters, and fish-scale shingles at its peaks are a homage to its circa-1900 build. Carefully placed stone walls lead you right to the wraparound porch, where an oval window is just one of the home’s many fine details.

The dining room with the beautiful staircase in the background.

Luxury awaits in the en suite bath on the main floor.

You could spend summer afternoons resting on this porch.

Hints of Victoriana in the primary bedroom.

The kitchen in the Equinunk house. The island is a former counter from a British shop.

The living room and sunroom promise a space to entertain. or just relax

The sunroom at the Equinunk house.

Flowers add a splash of color on the front walk at the Layton Road house in Equinunk.

Bluestone steps lined with fall colors lead up to a path.

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Inside, that window lights a tidy entry/mudroom that hides a laundry area behind doors. From the entry, the house opens up to a bright, high-ceilinged space that encompasses a beautiful kitchen and formal dining room. There’s a full bath on this level, as well as stairs down to a huge basement.

In the kitchen, white cabinets—the uppers alternating between solid doors and mullioned glass—contrast with dark Brazilian soapstone counters. A huge wooden island dominates the kitchen and is perfect for casual meals or food prep. Beautifully finished, it sports nine roomy drawers that belie its former life: as a shop counter in England!

Next to the refrigerator (which is stainless steel, as are the other appliances) is a door leading back onto the porch. This space is large enough for an outdoor couch, coffee table, and several chairs, as well as a complete dining set. Enjoy alfresco meals or just listen to the patter of the rain on this fully protected outdoor space that almost feels like a treehouse among the foliage.

Back indoors, the dining room is soaked in sunlight, thanks to three huge, transomed windows. It’ll be hard to tear yourself away from the view of the bluestone patio and flower gardens outside, but you soon will be drawn to the stairway in the center of the home. Slim white balusters delicately balance the oak banisters and stair treads. Go up three steps, and you have a choice: turn right to continue upstairs, or head straight into the living room.

Let’s forge ahead. The living room is a stunningly big space—large enough for bookcases, a full-size sofa, a desk area, and a grand piano. As open as it is, though, it remains a cozy spot for reading or entertaining. To the right, columns line a wide entry to a light-splashed sunroom. More cozy seating and tall bookcases invite more bookish perusals. A mullioned pair of sliders open to a cute deck with a pergola that’s just begging for morning glories or grapes.

The bulk of the home’s two-acre property lies in the backyard. Sweeping lawns are edged in woodland and are a clean slate for whatever the next owner wants to plan for it. The gravel driveway can accommodate a half-dozen cars; the house has an attached, two-car garage, as well as a detached two-car garage at the back of the property.

Upstairs in the house are four bedrooms and two full baths. The primary bedroom measures 18.5 feet by 15.5 feet and has two big closets, as well as a full en suite bath with a soaking tub and Palladian window overlooking the tree line. In the hall, a pocket door opens to a full bath. Three other bedrooms round out the second level.

The home is perfect for full-timers, weekenders, or as an Airbnb investment. It’s close to river recreation, the cute Honesdale downtown, or jazz nights in nearby Callicoon. If you’re craving a traditional look with all the modern touches, this is it.