A Five-Star Real Estate Experience
QUIET ELEGANCE ... For the Discerning
Buyer! $1,495,000
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a Virtual Tour of this property!!!
This gracious estate is located in the Mariposa Ranch subdivision in the Des Montes area, near the charming village of Arroyo Seco, just fifteen minutes from the town of Taos or Taos Ski Valley. This high-quality neighborhood consists of 23 lots of 10+ acres each, with sensible protective covenants and restrictions. This particular lot borders 2,500 acres of open space, and the views are endless.
The 3,130-square foot main house is true adobe construction, in traditional Pueblo style, with thick exterior walls and beautiful mud plaster interior walls. The heated living space consists of 2 bedrooms, an office and 2½ baths. The way the home is situated on the lot, the gentle corners and parapet lines, and the earth berm make the home seem anchored to the land.
When you enter through the extra-wide front door, you immediately sense the home’s quiet, strength and tranquility, and how it blends easily with the natural surroundings. Gorgeous sandstone tile floors and polished sandstone countertops add to the sense of natural materials. The doors and cabinets are by Taos craftsman Ed Paul. The 10’6” ceilings feature massive vigas, and tongue-and-groove and bedboard wood. Lots of light and passive solar warmth come through triple-pane Pella windows and six skylights.
The well-designed and functional kitchen includes a walk-in pantry, Viking range, Subzero refrigerator, Asko dishwasher, and farmhouse sink. The kitchen is open to the spacious dining area, which has great southern exposure and easy access to the outdoors.
The dining room adjoins the large living room, which has commanding views of the mountains to the south. It adjoins the dining room, creating an open, comfortable space and flow, perfect for entertaining. A fireplace enhances the ambiance. A built-in humidifier with “humidistat” softens the inherent dryness of the high desert environment.
A comfortable room off the living room, with its own private covered patio, makes for a cozy den, library or office.
The master suite faces the mountains to the east, and features a kiva fireplace and French doors opening to a private patio and garden. There is a built-in humidifier in this space for added comfort. The walk-in closet is well-equipped with lots of drawers and shelving. The master bath includes a generous jetted tub, a separate double-headed shower with steam, and a European-style “W.C.” for the commode.
The property was designed for energy efficiency. Heating costs are lower due to twice the normal insulation in the ceiling (R-76) and good passive solar warmth from the south-facing windows. There are 12 zones for the in-floor radiant heat. Many of the interior walls are solid adobe, for added strength, heat retention and sound attenuation. The house is oriented to avoid excessive afternoon heat build-up in summer by minimizing west-facing windows. There is a hot water recirculating system to reduce wasted water and energy.
The oversized laundry and “mud” room connects to a 1,439-square foot garage/storage/mechanical area. This space is all heated, 2’ x 8’ frame construction. The huge garage easily accommodates two large vehicles, and it has a workbench, sink, and plenty of room for bicycles, tools or whatever. Then there is a separate 8’ x 30’ storage room. The outsized mechanical room size houses the in-floor radiant heat system, hot water heater, water filters and softener. There’s even an emergency generator that can power much of the home in the event of a power outage. Finally, there is another heated room which is currently used as a kennel, but that could be a studio, hobby room, office, etc.
The 880-square foot guest house is separated from the main house by a lovely walled-in courtyard, creating the feeling of a compound. The guest house is built with the same quality construction as the main house. There are 2 bedrooms, each with private bath, on either side of a central living area, and a simple but efficient galley-style kitchen. Guests may never want to leave!
Extensive landscaping and gardens with a complete irrigation system, patios and portals create inviting spaces for outdoor living and viewing the amazing panoramas that surround the property.
The home was constructed by Ken Wolosin, truly one of the very best contractors
in Taos. Ken has been building top-quality homes in Taos for 25 years. There
are numerous construction details – both visible and not – that
make this a home that will perform marvelously well for many years. If you
want the best that Taos can offer, in terms of location, style, comfort
and quality construction, then this home is for you!
Location: Des Montes - Mariposa Ranch Subdivision
Acreage: 10.36 Acres
Size: Main House 3,180 - Guest House 880 sq. ft.
MLS#: 84143
