Somerset

SOMERSET   by Bruce Weber / Havencroft Inc.
Completed in 2006 in Hillsborough   5,550sf Tudor Revival on 10 acres
NOW FOR SALE!   mls # 999613

This home was created as the most dramatic example yet of Havencroft's interpretation of Yesterday's Craftsmanship and Tomorrow's Technology. Perfectly placed behind a small lake in the rolling meadows and forests near Hillsborough, the stone, brick and stucco estate was designed by Bruce Weber to have the look of a Tudor Revival building while also updating many design elements to the 21st century. The simple but solid lines of the front facade are castle-like, like many houses with this style from the 1880's. The rear of the house is stucco and timbers, like something you might see in a village in England or Switzerland. The stone and brick arches at the front door set the Tudor mood as you enter. The interior pays homage to the great houses in this style, but also holds an open, modern floor plan designed for entertaining and enjoying the beautiful country setting.

It was without a doubt the most unique and creative architectural statement in the 2006 Parade of Homes. But it was too different for judges who apparently didn't appreciate the architectural achievement, and it was passed over in favor of houses with typical North Carolina design. The people who came to visit during the parade had their own opinions.

"The houses in Colvard Farms are no competition for this."	"You should have won the Gold just for the Master Bathroom!"	"I've been through more houses than 95% of the people coming through your door, and I've seen every million dollar house in the last six years, and this house is above all of them!"
"You should have won Gold just for the outside; and then you come inside!"	"The quality I see here is on a par with the houses in the Hills of Rosemont."	This is the first house I've seen with so much quality, and so many high-end features, that I'd still feel comfortable living in!"
Said by a man who spent over an hour looking throughout the house " I can't find anything I don't like."	Said by a Real Estate Agent who had been on the "Best of the Best" tour - "You see some of the houses that won Gold and you say 'What were they thinking.'. .I don't know how they missed this - I'm going to talk to those (HBA) guys."	Said by a Home Builders Association official upon walking into the Grand Hall - "Wow!"

IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT YOUR HOUSE THIS WAY,
BRUCE WEBER CAN DESIGN AND BUILD THE HOUSE OF YOUR DREAMS

Some outside views of the Somerset model:

front yard at sunrise

As you approach, you might expect to see the owner on horseback chasing a fox with his hounds!
The setting is truly peaceful with outstanding views of rolling fields and forests.
The lake provides wonderful reflections of the landscape.

The back of the house is primarily stucco with dark trim boards, like you might see in Lucern or the British countryside. This is a classic Tudor design element. The centrally located Ipe wood deck is behind the family room and has stairs which lead down to the basement patio outside the billiard room. The center of the three story tower holds the loggia, which is open to the outdoors through six arches.