Just Listed: English Country Estate in Villanova

1730 W. Montgomery Ave., Villanova, Pa. 19085 | Bright MLS images via Compass

Okay, class, school is in session. Today’s lesson: Old and New Money.

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell the two apart, and they often mix and mingle with each other.

But here’s a simple dichotomy that I’ll use to start the lesson: 19035 is New Money. 19085 is Old Money.

Sure, you will find plenty of grand old houses in Gladwyne, and the heart of the community stretches to Colonial times. And on the other hand, they’re still building brand-new houses that look like grand old houses in Villanova.

But to overgeneralize, a Gladwyne mansion shouts its owner’s wealth, status and refinement, or sometimes, lack thereof.

This estate house for sale in Villanova, by contrast, turns the volume down to a whisper.

To understand the difference, take a look at the decor and ornamentation in the rooms of this vintage 1910 English country estate house.

“Greystone” bears all the exterior hallmarks of the English Gothic and all the interior ones of a traditional Colonial.

Living room

It doesn’t shy away from using light colors to make a room brighter, more expansive or more welcoming.

Den

Sitting room

Nor does it avoid using earth tones and darker colors to convey a feeling of coziness and warmth, even in sun-splashed rooms like the sitting room above.

Dining room

What it does do is go easy on the ornamentation. Crown moldings, chair rails, wainscoting? Yes, they’re all there. So are things like fancy chandeliers; you’ll find one of those in the formal dining room.

But there are no medallions in the ceilings, no garlands of fruit ringing them or hanging over the fireplaces. The rococo frou-frou they love in Gladwyne is noticeably absent.

Foyer

Anteroom

What else is present here at Greystone? Plenty of room to entertain guests in grand style, including an anteroom behind the foyer that’s made for pre-dinner cocktails.

Kitchen and breakfast room

A totally modern kitchen with top-drawer appliances and a sunny breakfast area.

Master bedroom

Master suite sitting room

Master bathroom

A master suite that has all the attributes of a private spa retreat, with a huge bedroom, sitting room, sumptuous master bathroom and private terrace overlooking the back yard.

Plenty of room in the other bedrooms and well-appointed bathrooms.

Patio, pool and rear elevation

And plenty of room outside as well: the 2.79-acre lot includes a pond with fountain, a stone terrace and a pool, not to mention attractive landscaping. And to enhance the baronial feel of this estate, surrounding the lot are 39 acres of unspoiled land under the permanent protection of Natural Lands.

A lot of old money has made Natural Lands a trusted protector of much of our region’s open space. Do they have any reservations in Gladwyne?

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 5

BATHS: 5 full, 3 half

SQUARE FEET: 7,043

SALE PRICE: $3,650,000

OTHER STUFF: You may need to enter the address in the search engine on the site linked below to see the specific listing.

1730 W. Montgomery Ave., Villanova, Pa. 19085 [Lavinia Smerconish | Compass]