On The Market: Springfield Township Estate with in-law suite and private putting green

In 1998, Joe and Candace Centeno were looking for a larger family home with room for their twin baby boys and visiting grandparents.  When they found a six-bedroom Flourtown estate, its proximity to local amenities sold them first.

Candace said, "We loved the classic style and grand feel of this estate home and its location right next to a local country club with a great swimming pool for the family and a golf course."

Even better, the home had an ideal room for the boys' grandparents. The separate in-law suite featured bedroom, full bath, sitting room and an eat-in kitchen area.

"This house had the perfect space – which used to be the servants' quarters – that was completely private," she said.

After moving in, the Centenos set to work restoring the property.

"Almost every inch needed some kind of work," Centeno said. "We ripped up every inch of shag carpet that covered the floors."

While the couple worked through the home one room at a time, Centeno said her favorite part of the restoration came to life in the rooms behind the kitchen that have since become a breakfast room and a cozy den. After removing the paneling from both rooms, they plastered and repaired the walls, enhanced the lighting, restored the hardwood floors, and matched new moldings to an existing wood hutch. Old cabinets they recovered from the attic were revived for breakfast and coffee bar.

"We always tried to update so the alterations were in keeping with the character of the house," she said.

The completely restored house now includes a master suite with two walk-in closets, a wood fireplace and spa-like bathroom as well as four other full bathrooms and a powder room. The in-law or guest suite occupies the entire third floor of the home.

While the grandparents' room was great for visiting family and other guests, Centeno said the location has proved to be an enduring feature.

"When the kids were little, I loved that the house was steps from the Flourtown Country Club pool," she said. "We were there every day in the summer."

Now the nearby shops and restaurants in Chestnut Hill beckon.

Centeno said as much as she loves the cozy and private elements in the home – in particular the garden room with its quiet views of the mature landscaping out back  – she will miss the entertaining spaces, where the couple frequently hosted up to 150 people at their holiday open house "cookie party."

"This is a great family home given the space and location" she said. "We will miss having the space to host these parties."

The home is currently listed with Michele Cooley at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach for $1,095,000.

"With our kids off to college and our extended family visiting less often as a result, we are relocating to a smaller home so that another family can enjoy this house," Centeno said.

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