WEST WIND HILL

Kent has a way of making a weekend feel longer than it is. Tucked into Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills, less than two hours from Manhattan, this handsome New England village has long attracted artists, collectors, and New Yorkers who prefer their country weekends with a little culture. Antique shops, galleries, and inviting restaurants give the village its personality, while the surrounding countryside offers fly fishing on the Housatonic River and hiking along the Appalachian Trail. Come autumn, the hills turn spectacular shades of copper and gold, although those fortunate enough to live here know Kent is just as lovely when the visitors have gone home and the first snow settles over the fields.

Beyond the village, a gated drive winds past old stone walls, open meadows, and a quiet pond before climbing toward West Wind Hill. At the top, panoramic views unfold across the Connecticut and New York countryside. Spread over 391 acres, the estate occupies a remarkable stretch of land where the nearest distraction is likely to be the weather moving across the distant hills.

Before construction began, the architect did something rather wonderful. He camped on the hilltop, watching the sun rise over the countryside, studying how the light shifted throughout the day, and considering where each room should sit in relation to the views. It was an unusual beginning for a country estate, but one that explains much about the finished residence. The resulting stone-and-shingle house takes full advantage of its elevated position, with windows and French doors framing the changing seasons.

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The connection between house and hillside goes further. Stone quarried directly from the property was used throughout construction, including the magnificent 20-foot fireplace that anchors the great room. Combined with reclaimed chestnut floors, hand-detailed millwork, and generous proportions, these materials give the approximately 8,919-square-foot residence the character of a house that has belonged to its setting for generations.

The great room is generous without feeling like a ballroom. Its soaring stone fireplace draws the eye upward, while banks of French doors bring the countryside into view. During summer, sunlight moves across the chestnut floors and the doors open to the fresh country air. In winter, the fireplace takes center stage, offering a welcome place to settle after an afternoon outdoors. The rooms invite people to make themselves comfortable, whether the house is filled with guests or enjoyed by just a few.

The kitchen has the sort of enormous stone hearth one might expect in a centuries-old country house, although the amenities are decidedly contemporary. Exposed timber beams, handsome cabinetry, and a substantial central island create a space equally suited to serious cooking and leisurely gatherings. One can picture Thanksgiving preparations underway, a bottle of Burgundy open on the counter, and guests drifting in to see what smells so good. Elsewhere, a paneled library offers a quieter retreat, while the primary suite occupies its own wing on the main level. Five additional bedrooms comfortably accommodate family and friends.

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