285 N Swarthmore Ave

Swarthmore, PA 19081

College Avenue stretches from the beautiful Swarthmore College campus, past award-winning Swarthmore-Rutledge Elementary School and ends at tree-lined Swarthmore Avenue, where a breath-taking assortment of stately stone homes lead the way north. Just past the crest of College and Swarthmore, #285 awaits. A deep setback provides a beautiful natural setting for this mid-century beauty, designed by Philadelphia architect Charles Folk Rabenold. The scale of the house is delightful, and the exquisite stonework and innumerable details all belie its thoughtful construction and restoration, both inside and out. A detailed history of the property from when it was featured in Swarthmore Historical Society's Home Tour is available upon request. A two-story entry hall with wood parquet flooring, an art alcove, and hanging bubble pendant lights welcome you home with mid-century flair. Off the hall are a powder room, coat closet, and door to the garage. Follow the hall back to the open living area, an incredibly airy space with random width hardwood floors, where the division between the house and the garden virtually disappears with the help of three walls of windows and glass doors. The living room boasts an oversized gas fireplace, and a bay of seven windows flanked by built-in bookcases, as well as a wall of windows and glass doors onto the patio. The dining room is open to the living room and to the beautifully renovated kitchen with a great big island, slate-style floor, maple cabinets, quartz counter tops, glass tile backsplash, and stainless-steel appliances including a five-burner gas cooktop, wall oven and built-in microwave and wine fridge. The first-level bedroom wing begins with a hallway with ample closets and a telephone nook. The original main bedroom with a wall of organized closets, a second bedroom with pretty views of the lawn, and a full hall bath with a heated slate-style floor, quartz-topped storage vanity, and stall shower with tile surround can all be found on the first floor. The second level is comprised of a lovely suite, including a spacious bedroom with a vaulted, beamed ceiling, an enormous walk-in closet with several windows of its own, and a pocket door opening to a full en suite bath with a pedestal sink, bathtub/shower with tile surround, and laundry closet. A landing with a beautiful art display built-in and a large cedar closet behind a secret peek-a-boo panel leads to the upper-level primary suite. An incredibly large bedroom with a gas fireplace boasts a pair of triple windows allowing a beautiful vista over the gardens, and a door to a large rooftop terrace. A pocket door opens to the luxurious en suite bath with a heated slate-style floor, glass door stall shower with a wall of inset built-ins, and three bright windows. An oversized, professionally organized closet, a storage nook, and access to the floored and fully insulated attic space complete this level. A garage with electric car charger and attached tool and garden shed provide indoor space for the car and for projects. Outside, the slate patio spills out into the garden, where walking paths meander through mature trees and lush plantings, revealing charming details like a romantic hidden seating area. Three zones of heat and air conditioning, and newer windows that are easy to throw open to bring in fresh breezes on beautiful days keep the house comfortable in all seasons. Wonderful details throughout the house and garden, like a custom lamppost, playful mid-century fixtures, ripple-glass interior doors, leather-wrapped pocket door handles, and uniquely beautiful places to display art and books will surprise and charm your guests. A location just blocks from the elementary school, swim club, and the footpath to the village shopping, library and train station makes 285 N. Swarthmore the perfect home for a buyer who is searching for a house of quality and character, close to everything Swarthmore has to offer.