Dalphin Drive
Covered patio is screened by mature plantings.
The kitchen has lots of prep space and natural light.
The family loves to gather in the living room, where the focal point is the double-height fireplace.
Claremont Avenue
The sleek and streamlined kitchen
A series of French doors off the family room lead all eyes to the outdoors.
The swanky living room
The home office is quiet enough to take the occasional nap in when there’s a pause in the work schedule.
Where the Living Is Easy
Count on Joan O’Meara, an associate broker with her own team at Houlihan Lawrence and nearly 25 years in the business under her hat, to have two listings that check off all the boxes for families.
O’Meara, who has lived in Hix Park for close to 20 years and is the neighborhood’s go-to agent, took us first to 3 Dalphin Drive, a renovated and expanded four-bedroom split-level that was full of surprises. The first was the two-sided double-height stone fireplace in the living room and kitchen. The spacious and light-filled kitchen leads out to a covered patio and beyond that a putting green. (The owner informed us that all the neighborhood kids use it year-round.)
With everyone home, the home office, with built-ins for two, comes in handy, as do the Exercise and Game rooms on the lower level. This four-story home has a casual glow, good flow, and a lofty and private master bedroom on the top floor.
For families, living on a cul-de-sac is ideal, and Dalphin is a poster street. Kids play in the street safely and couples greet one another warmly.
“This house is the ‘sleeper’ of Rye,” says O’Meara. “It’s in great condition and available at a great price.”
Our next stop was a four-bedroom custom Colonial at 40 Claremont Avenue in Rye Gardens, which was built in 2017. The current owners were fortunate to get in early on the project and add a number of sleek, sophisticated finishes before the developer was done.
The house sits up high on the nicely landscaped property. Claremont is its own little world, a quiet and lovely street, set way back in the neighborhood. Yet, the kids can walk to Osborn School and everyone takes the back route to the newly refurbished Playland Parkway walking path.
The kitchen/family room has a gas fireplace and a comfortable seating area at one end and Brazilian marble countertops (which don’t stain) at the other end. Transform outfitted all the closets.
In the back, the family gathers on the private deck and around the firepit.
The owners never close the shades in the master bedroom, because they’re up high and never want to miss the glorious view of the sunrise. Everyone appreciates the convenience of the second-floor laundry room.
In addition to a great home office, the basement has plenty of space for play, exercise, and storage.
City dwellers, take note. These two homes are great ways to transition to country life.
- Robin Jovanovich
