Bedford contemporary's spacious design fit for a ballerina

26 Old Stagecoach Road, Bedford
Price $775,000
Style Contemporary
Built 1975
Square feet 2,471
Rooms 8
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 3
Sewer Public
Website www.26Old-Stagecoach.com

In a neighborhood of Colonials, split-levels, and around-the-bend McMansions, this contemporary of mahogany clapboard is indeed unique. It was built with post-and-beam construction in 1974 using a design reminiscent of the era's popular acorn or deck house styles that emphasized open, modular spaces, and generous use of glass. The home is sited at the rear of the lot, next to conservation woodlands. This maximizes privacy, limits views of neighboring houses, and put owners Davi and David Friedman in close contact with the outdoors.

Spacious inside, the house also offers retreat-like surprises, with nooks and crannies at every turn. The first-floor living space has a vaulted ceiling, and natural wood beams, and is designed around a large brick two-sided fireplace, with an indoor charcoal grill. The moderate-sized kitchen has a breakfast bar, butcher block countertops, pine cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.

Off the eating area is a screened porch flanked by a magnificent 80-foot deck that sits so close to the woods it feels like a tree house. The master bedroom is also on the first floor, with a separate sitting/dressing room, and an attached ladder that leads to a lofted office that is also reachable from the second floor.

The upper landing is a room in itself and still contains a ballet bar and mirror built long ago for the Friedmans' daughter, once a child performer with the Boston Ballet's "Nutcracker." This skylit space peers down on the living room and entrance area.

One of two bedrooms up here has a slider leading to a terrace. Throughout the house, floors vary from hardwood to terra cotta tiles. Some rooms have new rugs. Listing broker Debbie Spencer of ReMax Landmark will hold an open house today from 1 to 3 p.m.

MINDY POLLACK-FUSI