Brook Hollow Farm

Brook Hollow Farm is one of Bedford’s finest estate properties. The farm, dating to the 1880’s, consists of nearly 48 extraordinary acres of pastoral meadows and natural woodlands. Enveloping the main house and outbuildings are verdant lawns and exquisite gardens carefully executed by noted landscape designer Miranda Brooks. With a long, gated drive meandering through the exquisite grounds, the approach passes native meadow grasses, a signature element of Brooks design. Arriving at a gravel courtyard lined with Belgian block, the access to the main house is through a series of boxwood gardens and Wisteria-covered arbors. The residence dates to the golden age of the 1920’s. The interior was completely re-imagined by noted designer Alexandra Champalimaud. With a handsome stone and shingle exterior, the roof is distinctive slate. The nearly 13,000 square foot main house is a beautifully appointed and bespoke estate home. Six additional outbuildings are designated for relaxation and recreation as well as providing additional space for guests and help. A tennis court and a swimming pool make this property the ultimate destination.

MAIN RESIDENCE: Originally built in the 1920’s, the main residence heralds to the golden age. Impressive in size and scale, the beautifully reimagined interior offers a subtle, relaxed lifestyle. Interior spaces are stunning yet understated and comfortably livable. The design is a perfect balance of traditional architecture seamlessly integrated with the most modern amenities. The main residence houses 12,944 square feet of magnificently finished living space. Newer additions and renovations carefully marry the old with the new. The construction and craftsmanship are superior with keen attention paid to every detail. All rooms are beautifully proportioned, exquisitely appointed and bask in natural light. Extensive millwork includes antique paneling, wide crown moldings and select quarter sawn oak floors. Fine details including Venetian plaster walls and architectural lighting create warm and alluring living spaces.  

A walkway through the formal gardens leads to the main entrance, An arched front door opens to the Center Entrance Hall. White walls illuminated by custom lighting, the beautiful Oak floors and a fireplace enhance the space. The graceful front staircase lies at the far end. A rear hall accesses two coat closets separated by a window seat, a side door and the Powder Room on one side: the Library on the other. The Library, a perfect spot for working remotely, has pocket doors, extensive built-in shelves with lighting and a fireplace. Walls are Venetian plaster. 

To the right of the Entry, arched pocket doors open to the Reception Room. Walls are paneled in warm antique pine with dentil crown molding. Beautiful, fluted molding flanks the fireplace. A built-in window seat and French doors to front and rear terraces add further interest. The space adjoins a comfortable Sitting Area with built-ins and French doors. This Sitting Area opens to the incredible Living Room. An impressive space, features include a soaring ceiling supported by massive beams and a floor-to-ceiling stacked stone fireplace. Steps lead down to the professional Home Theater. Walls have Art Deco sconces and there is tiered seating for 18. A wet bar connects to a Half Bath finished in striking Absolute Black granite marble. A Projection Room with two professional Lumeux projectors and outdoor access are located off the other side of the wet bar. 

To the right of the main entry, a gallery provides access to additional main rooms. It offers closet and pantry storage as well as access to a second Powder Room. Glass doors open to the Formal Dining Room enhanced by Venetian plaster walls, a coffered ceiling and a fireplace flanked by two doors to the outdoors. The adjoining Butler’s Pantry provides ample china and crystal storage. Both the gallery and the Butler’s Pantry lead to the Family Room with fireplace. Pocket doors open to the skylit Kitchen. The Kitchen is both striking and practical. Custom cabinetry with exquisite Cristallo marble counters, Gaggenau appliances and an impressive Cristallo center island are key elements of the design. Pocket doors lead to the Conservatory. With a glass ceiling and walls, the light is incredible. A spectacular space housing the breakfast area, it features a bluestone floor and a welcoming stone fireplace. Doors open out to both the terrace and a side walkway. 

The front staircase provides access to the Second Floor. The Primary Suite is spacious. The Bedroom features a vaulted ceiling, a fireplace, a lift for art to conceal the television and a door to a private balcony. There are two large Dressing Rooms outfitted with custom built-ins. Both Baths are luxurious, with radiant heat, soaking tubs, steam showers and heated towel racks. One bath is finished in Rosa Egio and Bianco Dolimiti marble: the other is Vermont Imperial Danby. The hallway with Linen Closet leads to the family sleeping quarters. Three Family Bedrooms, one with Sitting Area, have fireplaces and private Baths. 

The Third Floor houses a large Sitting/Recreation Room with built-ins. Three additional Bedrooms, all with private Baths, complete the floorplan. Second and third floor family Baths are finished in Bianco Nanibia marble.

Stairs lead down to the Basement. There is a Staff Office/Pressing Room, a Wine Cellar, a Laundry Room with two sets of Miele Washers/Dryers and an LG Drying Closet and a Half Bath. Utility Rooms complete the floor plan.

CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW: The foundation is masonry; the construction is frame and steel; the exterior is stone and cedar shingle; and, the roof is slate with dormers. Leaders and gutters are copper. Chimneys are stone. Three Weil Mclain boilers deliver oil-fired hydroair and electric radiant heat. Mini-split systems handle the heating and cooling on the third floor. The oil-tank is 1000-gallon. Three wells provide water to the property. Electrical service is 600 ampere, supplied by NYSEG with automatic backup generators. Architectural lighting is Eklipse. Kitchen appliances are Gaggenau and include three Refrigerators, two Dishwashers, two Steam Ovens, a Microwave, a Warming Drawer, a five-burner gas Cooktop with Griddle and two Wall Ovens. The Butler’s Pantry has two Gaggenau Wine Coolers. The wet bar off the theater has a bar Refrigertor, a Scotsman Icemaker, a Miele Dishwasher and a General Electric Monogram Microwave. Baths have Toto toilets. A security system, a Control 4 system with in-wall speakers, a water treatment system and central air conditioning are additional improvements.

GROUNDS: Located in an established area of country homes and foremost estates, the property consists of 47.85 bucolic acres. This peaceful setting is a blend of pastoral meadows, verdant lawns, spectacular gardens and natural woodlands. Age-old trees include incredible Beech, Apple, Maple and Evergreens. Located on local riding lanes, there is the potential for horses with a large, fenced paddock for turnout beyond the barn complex. Carefully concealed from view are a Hartru Tennis Court, a 72’ heated Swimming Pool with automatic cover and a child’s playscape. A trail winds around the property for trail running or hiking. 

LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Miranda Brooks created a breathtaking landscape carefully working with the property’s topography. The gardens are an interesting juxtaposition of native, natural, wild and formal. Native grasses delineate the fields on approach to the residence. More formal Boxwood gardens, Wisteria covered arbors and terraces, one with a fountain, surround the main house. The courtyard garden between the outbuildings features a wide array of native and flowering perennials. Wisteria covered arbors cover the pathways to the pool and tennis court. 

BARN COMPLEX: Three large Barns surround the courtyard garden with its incredible array of flowering perennials. A raised platform is the base for the cedar hot tub offering views of the garden as well as the wide, open sky. 

GYM: The Gym is the ultimate place for workouts. This large Barn features a vaulted ceiling, ample equipment and a ballet barre with mirror. There is a Full Bath and a Half Bath with Light Therapy Room with Bain Ulta light box. There are multiple televisions and a small refrigerator for refreshments. The Gym opens out to the courtyard garden with cedar hot tub. 

PAVILION/PARTY BARN: Providing a large open room, this space offers countless possibilities. With a vaulted ceiling, opening glass “garage” and Nano doors and a floating fireplace, it is the perfect spot for entertaining. It could easily house a car, sculpture or art collection.

ARTIST/RECREATION SPACE: The Third Barn houses a large Playroom/Recreation Room on one side and an Art Studio on the other. There is a large pantry with sink as well as locked storage. 

GUEST COTTAGE: The Guest Cottage is close to the main house yet completely private. With single exterior and standing seam metal roof, it is completely renovated inside and out. The Great Room houses both seating and dining areas. The Kitchen has a center island and Miele appliances including a cooktop, refrigerated drawers, a dishwasher and a microwave. There is a small Office. One Bedroom has a private Bath. The Second Bedroom has use of a Hall Bath. Both baths are finished in Aribiscato Corchia marble.

GARAGE AND APARTMENTS: The Garage houses six, heated garage bays-one with EV charger, an equipment bay and a laundry room on the first floor. The second floor houses three separate apartments each with private egress. Immaculate and completely renovated, each apartment is absolutely turn-key. They each house a Great Room with living and dining areas, a Kitchenette, a Bedroom and a Bath finished in Aribiscato Corchia marble.

WRITER’S COTTAGE: Along the driveway are a wood storage shed and a stone writer’s cottage dating to the 1920’s. The writer’s Cottage, perched on the side of a hill has a fireplace. 

ADDITIONAL OUTBUILDINGS: A woodshed is located at the base of the driveway. An octagonal two-story equipment/storage barn is located at the far end of the drive.