Lake Fong, Post-Gazette A massive antique mantel gives an Old World touch to the great room at 125 Froebe Road in Peters. The asking price for the mansion is $5.3 million.

By Kevin Kirkland, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Standing in the great room, your head in the shadow of century-old beams, hand on the massive fireplace's hand-carved mantel, it's easy to forget this house was built just 11 years ago.

The rambling stone, brick and stucco mansion with slate roof at 125 Froebe Road in Peters, Washington County, was designed by architect Anthony Paskovich of Cleveland and built by P.J. Dick Inc. But the mantels, stained-glass windows and other woodwork that make it feel like a venerable French country chateau come from Architectural Antiques in New Castle and from the imagination of its owners.

	Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Reclaimed timbers were used for the beams in the great room. Click photo for larger image. More information For more information on 125 Froebe Road, Peters, pre-approved buyers can call Janice DeCarlo of Howard Hanna at 412-361-4000, ext. 217 or go to www.howardhanna.com, MLS. No. 604118.

Of course, no one would have built a 12,000-square-foot house 100 years ago on this winding country road dotted with farms, small Colonials and new construction. But within the past 10-15 years, multimillion-dollar houses have sprung up on Froebe and nearby Bebout and Justabout roads. Even here, this one stands out: It's priced at $5.3 million through Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.

The owners, Cliff and Diane Rowe, are currently renovating a smaller house in the East End. Most of the furniture has been removed from the Froebe Road house. But its splendor is still evident.

"They're great collectors of art, antiques, many things. And Diane is an interior designer," said Realtor Janice DeCarlo.

"I am my own worst customer," said Mrs. Rowe, owner of Diane Rowe Interiors for almost 15 years. "I'm always seeing something new and saying, 'Oh, maybe I'd rather have that instead.' "

The 40-by-24-foot great room is the most spectacular space in the house. Reclaimed beams from out West span a cathedral ceiling that tops out at about 25 feet. Three dormers and three pairs of French doors bring in light on one side and on the other, three openings with antique iron balconies share light from a second floor hallway, which is brightened by more dormers.

Navy blue grass cloth covers the walls, complementing the dark-stained beams, pegged oak floor and elaborate mantel, one of five antique mantels in the house. Altogether, there are six wood-burning fireplaces, six bedrooms, seven full baths and two powder rooms.

At the opposite end of the great room, a wrought-iron chandelier indicates where the owners had an antique dining table and chairs, their "secondary" dining room. Murray Iron Works of California made the sconces and chandeliers.

	Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Above: A rooster keeps watch over the kitchen in the Peters home. Below: At the top of this staircase is a domed ceiling adorned with mirrors. Click photos for larger image.

The central staircase boasts an ornate iron-and-brass balustrade, arched windows and a pair of French doors off the stairs' landing. Sunlight bounces off mirrors and gold leaf on the domed ceiling and photos of the owners' grandchildren on the walls. The stairs' risers are faux-painted to mimic the white marble, granite and limestone found elsewhere in the house.

Other thoughtful details are found in the 20-by-16-foot dining room nearby. White wainscoting and striped wallpaper lend a formal feel, as do the mantel, mirrored overmantel and carved pilasters on the windows, all antiques.

Mrs. Rowe's attention to detail is evident again in the kitchen, which features two hand-hammered copper sinks, copper tiles set in a limestone tile backsplash, an acid-etched copper hood over the center island and an antique walnut piece containing three arched openings with mirrors. A 3-foot tall cast-iron rooster from Belgium struts on the island's creamy white granite countertop, next to a commercial-grade Wolf gas range. Appliances also include two Sub-Zero refrigerators and two Asko dishwashers. updated three years ago

Sealed limestone floors unite the 20-by-17-foot kitchen's three sections -- butler's pantry, prep and main cooking areas, which spill into a "keeping room" measuring 29 by 14 feet. Sporting bright yellow walls and used as a family room, the space is warmed by a fireplace with yet another antique mantel.

At the other end of the first floor is a cozy study whose woodwork was built to match the antique mantel and incorporate a salt-water aquarium. Pocket doors can close off an alcove where fax machines and other equipment are kept, resting on white marble countertops. Nearby is the master bedroom suite with whirlpool tub and steam shower.

The second floor contains four bedrooms, each with full baths, and in a separate wing, a library and bright red guest suite. The suite has its own staircase and door to the outside, so it could be used by an au pair or housekeeper.

Stairs from the kitchen lead to the basement, where an arched fireplace made from reclaimed sandstone faces the spot where a pool table would go. Beyond is an antique bar and mirrored back bar surrounded by ornate walnut wainscoting and a fitness room stocked with free weights, an elliptical, treadmill and speed bag.

A door with antique leaded and stained glass leads to a wine cellar/tasting room with space for 2,000 bottles. The two antique servers that were built into facing walls have reeded columns and intricate carving. A hallway leads to the four-car garage with tile floors.

Several doors offer access to the rest of the 7-acre property. The great room's three pairs of French doors lead to a flagstone patio, lawn and, further on, an orchard containing 30 apple, pear and peach trees.

A door off the kitchen and keeping room connects to another patio surrounded by rose bushs and small ornamental trees and shrubs. Stairs through a quaint poolhouse lead to the 40-by-22-foot in-ground pool, a firepit and a large pergola that echoes the front portico and architectural style of the rest of the house.

"We really wanted it to come across as a home that had been there for many years," Mrs. Rowe said. "It's a wonderful house, especially for entertaining."

Lake Fong, Post-Gazette The sprawling house in Peters was built in the style of a French chateau.