La Maison de Verre

Situated on one of Princeton's finest streets, a short walk from Princeton University and downtown Princeton and close to some of the top schools in the United States, la Maison de Verre was built in earth-toned brick with organic-hued wood, stained glass and copper arts and crafts accents, interior walls highlighted with cherry finishes, elegant parquet floors and fireplaces throughout. The front elevation is screened by trees and discreetly sheltered by brick walls inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House. Draped with vegetation and featuring a modern sculpture, the walls tie the interior views to the landscaping and preserve the home's sense of intimacy. The house reveals itself gradually. Behind the glass entry door, the soaring entry alcove gives way to a long gallery. Floor-to-ceiling windows and doors flood the gallery and formal living areas with natural light and seamlessly blend with the outdoor gardens and terraces. The exquisite dining room is lit with two dramatic ceiling fixtures by Ingo Maurer. Housed in its own wing, the dining room takes the form of a Philip Johnson-inspired "glass house" centered between two lush gardens. The dining room works equally well for intimate dinners and for 40-person dinner parties. The vast Boffi-designed gourmet kitchen continues seamlessly into an open plan with service area and bar on the side of the family room, which contains a wood-burning fireplace, brick, cherry and copper detailing and original Frank Lloyd Wright ceiling fixtures. The family room is wrapped on two sides with glass and again sits between two gardens, one of which is a hardscaped, tranquil oasis with a waterfall conceived by landscape architect Robert Zion, famous for restoring the Statue of Liberty Park for the Bicentennial and inventing the 'vest pocket' park exemplified by the world famous Paley Park near MOMA in Midtown Manhattan. Other highlights are two spacious en suite bedrooms and two luxurious master suites on the upper floor, a 1400-square-foot guest apartment with a cathedral ceiling and all of the same high-end finishes as the main home, a 700-bottle wine cellar and tasting room, an extensive interior security system and an elevator to all floors.