20 South Street

This 1835 Greek Revival home sits right on Crystal Lake, the only lake in the village of Rhinebeck. It sits on more than a half-acre of private lakefront property, mere minutes from the lively, gracious village life that includes shopping, dining, and access to the arts and theater. This delightful home retains the historic loveliness of its origins in its architectural details. A graciously curving staircase, a deep wrap-around porch, rosy wide-board floors, and rooms infused with light from many large windows create a feeling of warmth and tranquility. The foyer accesses a beautifully proportioned formal living room with French doors leading to the porch. In the center of the ceiling is an intricately designed medallion, and there is equally elegant carved molding where walls meet ceiling. The formal dining room opens to a screened porch with a view of the lake. To the left of the foyer, a cozy den with wood-burning fireplace, custom-paneled walls, and built-in cabinetry offers counterpoint to the formal rooms on the first floor. In the large kitchen, exposed beams and bricks lend rustic warmth to this magical focal point. A kitchen table for casual dining is surrounded by windows on three sides through which Crystal Lake is in full view. A large island, ample cabinetry, and a woodstove make the kitchen as practical as it is comfortable. Kitchen and dining room are joined by a short hallway with powder room. Upstairs, all the rooms in the primary suite face the lake. The suite includes a south facing bedroom with windows on three sides, bathroom, and spacious sitting room. All three additional rooms on the second floor share a hall bath, and can be bedrooms, though currently one is set up as an office/studio. The under-eaves rooms offer snug privacy and storybook charm. This handsome property with its historic house beside the water, a two car (detached) garage, and ample space for perennial plantings and gardens, is a rare find in one of the most coveted towns in the Hudson Valley.