6 dazzling homes built in the 1920s
Redding, Connecticut
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Stormfield, Mark Twain's Tuscan-style villa, was rebuilt in 1925 after a fire, on the surviving foundation. The four-bedroom house features a living room with hand-painted coffered ceiling, a foyer with molded ceilings, a library, and an open modern kitchen with island.
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The 28.5-acre property includes the original terraces, stone walls and pillars, and formal gardens; a gunite pool; and a two-bedroom caretaker's home above the three-car garage. $3,900,000. Laura Freed Ancona, William Pitt/Sotheby's International Realty, (203) 733-7053
Saddle River, New Jersey
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This six-bedroom Tudor dates to 1927. The house retains the original mahogany floors, vintage bathroom tile, French windows, porte cochère, and turret with ironwork spiral staircase; modern additions include a greenhouse room with spa and sauna in the main suite, which also has a fireplace and dressing room.
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On the 4.7-acre wooded property are lawns, gardens, a stone patio with pool, and a horse barn, paddock, and riding ring. $2,890,000. Janine Fraser, Coldwell Banker Realty, (201) 286-8596
Detroit
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Business mogul Charles Van Dusen was the original owner of this 1922 Gothic Revival. The seven-bedroom house features the original slate roof, receiving hall with Pewabic tile, four fireplaces, carved mahogany panels, decorative plaster, and vintage high-fidelity sound system built into custom cabinets; an enclosed porch; a billiard room; and a kitchen with walk-in pantry.
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The 1-acre lot includes a carriage house above a four-car garage. $1,590,000. Austin Black II, City Living Detroit, (313) 550-2307
Los Angeles
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This 1926 Spanish Revival home was designed by Allen Ruoff and restored and updated in the same style by architect Charles Kluger. The house has three bedrooms with garden views; living room with original exposed beams, crown moldings, fireplace, and French doors; chef's kitchen; and dining room with built-ins.
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The lush hillside grounds are landscaped with bougainvillea, palms, winding stone paths, look-out landings, and a covered porch. $1,999,999. Anthony Paradise, Sotheby's International Realty–Sunset Strip, (310) 279-8303
Belleair, Florida
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Built in 1920, this hacienda-style home overlooks Florida's oldest golf club. The house's main wing has a grand staircase, great room with beamed ceiling and fireplace, chef's kitchen, dining room, glassed-in terrace, and four bedrooms, including a master with water views; the second wing has two bedrooms, bathroom, and living room.
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On the landscaped walled lot are mature palms, a travertine deck with pool, and a porte cochere. $2,900,000. Gordon Kyle, Sotheby's International Realty, (407) 486-6971
Philadelphia
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This three-bedroom townhouse near Rittenhouse Square was built in 1925 as a residence for naval officers. The two-story home features hardwood floors, high ceilings, a skylit stairway, a principal bedroom with walk-in closet, living and dining rooms, full kitchen, pantry, laundry area, and finished basement.
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Out back is a garden courtyard with a gate to the rear street; in front is a well-planted, tree-lined brick walkway of similar homes. $425,000. Virginia Baltzell, Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty, (215) 869-8015
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