By Tyler R. Morrissey
Kent Falls is home to one of Connecticut’s most well-known state parks. Nestled along the rolling hills of Litchfield County are scenic and cascading waterfalls that feed the nearby Housatonic River. After hiking the iconic trails and feeling the mist of the falls on your face, you’ll want a relaxing place to stay and take in all of the other sights that Kent has to offer. One of the greatest antique homes in Litchfield County is home to The Inn at Kent Falls, which was named the best bed & breakfast in the Nutmeg State in 2017 by The Daily Meal. The historic property is owned by our own Ira Goldspiel and he’s put the home on the market for $1,135,000.
Originally called the “Flanders Arms Inn,” The Inn at Kent Falls was built in 1741 in the Flanders historic district of town. The original settlement of Kent began in the 1700s and is surrounded by the famed Cobble Brook. Within the district are 10 architecturally significant homes, built between 1738 and 1840. The Flanders House, circa 1738, is one of the two oldest houses in this area. The original house underwent a complete restoration in 2002, but the authentic charm and details have endured. The property consists of a main house, guest house, pool, pool house, as well as rich gardens and lawns.
Voted “Best Connecticut Bed & Breakfast” for three consecutive years, the inn has also been honored with the Trip Advisor “Award of Excellence.” The Inn at Kent Falls features four luxurious suites and several beautifully appointed queen-sized rooms. On the main level of the home is the beamed living room with a fireplace that opens up to a dining room and kitchen. There’s also a study with bookshelves and a fireplace, as well as a large entertainment room with a vaulted ceiling that was added in the 20th century.
The Inn at Kent Falls has also gotten the attention of local media outlets in Connecticut. Recently Goldspiel gave WFSB’s Better Connecticut a tour of the historic property.
“It was a house that hadn’t had a big renovation in 50 to 75 years and it needed everything,” Goldspiel told WFSB. “Everything is clean, modern and country. The floorboards throughout the house are almost 12-14 inches wide, so these are from the 1700s.”
One of the more popular renovations that Goldspiel did to the antique home was converting one of the upstairs bedrooms into a bathroom. Now all of the guest rooms have private baths and some even include candlelit fireplaces. Goldspiel explained to WFSB that one of his favorite guest rooms at the inn is the Appalachian suite. This room features a sitting room with an antique pine writing table and a plush sofa. Situated at the end of the hall, this suite tends to be private and quiet.
In 2010, a 1,370-square foot guest house was added that features a two-story foyer with a bench and coat rack. There’s also a living room with a fireplace, built-in bookshelves, kitchen, screened-in porch with blue stone floors and powder room on the main level. The upstairs bedroom enjoys a wall of windows that overlooks the brook and the yard, while the bathroom contains a six-foot soaking tub and a separate shower. On the third floor, Goldspiel also converted the attic on the third floor into a working suite while working around the post and beams that hold up the house. He was also able to work around the large main chimney to build a bathroom. Outside, the property’s two acres have been manicured with several flowering gardens and well established shrubs and trees. The pool was also renovated with new systems and the filter was replaced in 2012, adding even more luxury and charm to one of Litchfield County’s most storied homes.
For more information: Ira Goldspiel, 917.626.3481, igoldspiel@williampitt.com, Howard Schissler, 917.304.0871, hschissler@williampitt.com
