[Home of the Month]
Dunminning Estate Carriage House A PIECE OF HISTORY, REIMAGINED AND MODERNIZED Laurel Anderson
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OW! THAT’S THE USUAL REACTION UPON entering the grand stone carriage house that was once part of the sprawling 150-acre Dunminning Estate, designed c. 1887 by architect Theophilus P. Chandler and once owned by the Brown family of Girard Trust. Actually, a double wow!! is in order for this unique property, called Hidden Rock, with so much star power it was considered as a suitable temporary home for a movie star filming in our area. Massively updated in 1995 and reimagined and modernized further in 2020, this home is move-in ready and filled with amenities—including a sleek glass vacuum elevator that looks like modern sculpture. This is one of the largest and most distinctive carriage house conversions of the era, with timeless craftsmanship preserved and complemented by modern conveniences for comfortable family living (WiFi, surround sound, security system, etc.). And at seven
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County Lines | February 2021 | CountyLinesMagazine.com
thousand four hundred square feet of space in the carriage house, the grandeur of the former main house can only be imagined. The wow factor is first evident as you approach the stately home and catch a glimpse through the central diamond-mullioned windows of the seven-foot glittering crystal chandelier in the main room, once called The Court. The impressive stone façade resembles a Gilded Age mansion more so than a mere outbuilding on an estate. On first sight from the driveway, the owners say they “fell in love.” And no wonder. The 40 photos and 3D virtual tour online as well as videos on Vimeo may make you have the same reaction. An open floor plan gives the stunning interior space a modern feel with ample room for entertaining. Details like interior stone walls, huge windows, graceful archways, beamed ceilings and 12-foot sliding mahogany doors add character throughout.
