IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Listing of the week: Your own Italian gardens in Vermont

1161 West Rd, Dorset, VT For Sale: $1,500,000Why travel all the way to Italy when you can walk out to your backyard? This Dorset home for sale features Italian renaissance-style gardens designed by landscape architect Charles Downing Lay in the 1920s.The gardens have marble walkways and walls that were added to the property in 1915," said listing agent Sara Buckley. "[They] incorporate a lovely po
This Vermont home has several acres of landscaped gardens.
This Vermont home has several acres of landscaped gardens.Zillow / Today

1161 West Rd, Dorset, VT

For Sale: $1,500,000

Why travel all the way to Italy when you can walk out to your backyard? This Dorset home for sale features Italian renaissance-style gardens designed by landscape architect Charles Downing Lay in the 1920s.

The gardens have marble walkways and walls that were added to the property in 1915," said listing agent Sara Buckley. "[They] incorporate a lovely pool with a fountain and peaceful marble tea-house."

This style of garden was first developed in the 15th century in Italy and was copied throughout Europe, leading to the English-style and French renaissance gardens. An Italian Renaissance garden is classified by a grand and symmetrical design and water grottoes, fountains and statues as well as multiple levels.

Landscape architect Charles Downing Lay designed a number of homes' gardens besides this one in Dorset, but he's best known for his work in city parks, particularly New York's Battery Park, Marine Park and Madison Square Park as well as the National Academy of Sciences grounds in Washington D.C.

The home was built in the 1820s from marble quarried on site. The old quarry is still on the property as well as other outbuildings, says Buckley.

Another historical part of the property is the dining room that have "feathered edge (no nails) paneling from a tavern said to be frequented by Ethan Allen," Buckley said.

Although the gardens are undoubtedly the focal point of the property, the home is nothing to sneer at. The 8-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom home has over 6,000 square feet of living space.

The property was first listed for sale on the Dorset real estate market for $2,495,000 but recently had a significant price cut, dropping down $995,000 to $1.5 million. Located in southwest Vermont, Buckley says Dorset, is "quintessential Vermont – picture perfect town with stunning natural beauty and endless outdoor activities." Much of the properties are historic, keeping median Dorset list prices on the higher side at $575,000.

Even with a price cut and low interest rates for mortgages, a monthly payment for this home is almost $6,000, hitting at $5,738 with a 30-year-fixed mortgage and 20 percent down according to Zillow Mortgage Marketplace.

A fountain from 1915 is featured in one portion of the gardens.
A fountain from 1915 is featured in one portion of the gardens.Zillow / Today
Italian Renaissance gardens are characterized by levels and symmetry.
Italian Renaissance gardens are characterized by levels and symmetry.Zillow / Today
The interior of the home recalls the home's 1820s construction date.
The interior of the home recalls the home's 1820s construction date.Zillow / Today

See more photos of the home here.

 

The Zillow web site is filled with information on homes for sale and apartments for rent. We have data on more than 100 million homes in the U.S., so lots of properties catch our eye.