A stable for three horses and five acres on which to roam are common features of estates in Barrington Hills, a town in the heart of horse country and cornfields about 35 miles northwest of Chicago.
So this 100-plus-year-old home at 108 Brinker Road fits right in with its neighbors.
“Barrington Hills residents can go out their front door right onto riding trails,” says Dick Lyon an agent with ERA Countrywood Realty of South Barrington, the listing company.
This property, listed at $890,000, includes the house, which has an older and a more modern wing; a pool and pool house; a stable and a pond. The buildings are surrounded by lush lawns, garden areas and tall trees. Two neighboring homes, also expansive, can be seen across the rolling acreage.
The house itself is an L-shaped Cape Cod with painted white shingle exterior (in need of a paint job) and black shutters. A brick walkway leads to the front door, which opens to a large, square entryway that is wallpapered with large green flowers on a white background. The floor is black ceramic tile. Visitors immediately notice its low ceiling, a consistent feature throughout much of the house.
Down an L-shaped hall is a half-bath that features bright, butterfly wallpaper, a low toilet and a sink with cabinet.
At the end of the hall is the entrance to the kitchen. This narrow room has two rows of counters and cabinets and a narrow, blue ceramic tile island in the middle. The appliances include a side-by-side refrigerator, a garbage disposal, electric and gas cooktops and a double oven. Across a counter that’s high enough to fit stools underneath is a large semi-circular eating area, where a wall of windows overlooks the back yard.
The floor in the kitchen and family room, part of the original house, is hexagonal red ceramic tile. The family room has original wood beams and, in one corner, a painted white brick fireplace. Off the family room is a laundry room with numerous built-in cabinets.
The family room also provides access to the original master bedroom suite, which faces the front of the house. Measuring 11 by 19 feet, this bedroom has a windowed bay, a plaid border near the ceiling and a mint green ceiling. An attached dressing area includes a walk-in closet and linen closet, a window seat and a built-in wood vanity. The attached bath features a separate shower, bidet, low toilet, whirlpool bath and double sink with Corian countertops.
To the right of the front entryway is the 18-by-23-foot living room, which has dark oak floors, a lovely wood-paneled fireplace, built-in bookshelves and large windows overlooking a semi-circular walled area.
Between the living room and the kitchen is a formal dining room. This 13-by-17-foot room has white and green plaid wallpaper, a white ceiling and an oak floor.
Also off the entryway, immediately to the right of the front door, is the library, which features dark oak floors, built-in cabinets, a wet bar complete with wine rack, and a half-size refrigerator.
Down the hall from the library are a full bath and two bedrooms, one of which measures 14 by 15 feet and the other, 10 by 15. The first is painted yellow with white trim, the other greenish-blue with white trim. Both bedrooms have good-sized closets.
Upstairs, under eaved ceilings, are two bedrooms, a large “bonus room” and a full bath. The “bonus room” could be a play area with lots of nooks and crannies.
The house also has a heated, attached two-car garage and a partial basement. The master bedroom, family room and laundry room are heated by an older gas hot water furnace; the rest of the house is heated and cooled by a forced-air gas furnace. The house also is equipped with a fire alarm and security system.
The three-stall barn, built only three years ago, includes a hayloft.
The pool house overlooks a kidney-shaped outdoor pool. It features a huge open entertainment area with a concrete floor, glass sliding doors overlooking the pool and a kitchen complete with well-used electric stove, wood cabinets and double rows of counters. Two baths are equipped with showers. A more modern room features speakers in its cathedral ceiling.
Like all homes in Barrington Hills, this one has a private well and septic system. Taxes in 1992 were $7,476.
