Inside Mark Twain's grand Connecticut mansion – listed for $4.2 million

Stormfield – Mark Twain's iconic estate in Fairfield County, Connecticut – has just entered the market for $4.2 million. The property's name derives from the writer's short story Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven following a period in Italy. This trip inspired Stormfield's district architectural features, which were designed to reflect a traditional Tuscan villa – meaning Stormfield is one of the world's best homes. 

With its three ornate fireplaces and luxe terraces, this home is an Italian jewel amongst Connecticut's verdant countryside. Here, we take a tour of Mark Twain's final home. 

Writer Samuel Langhorne Clemens, who is best known by his pen name, Mark Twain, was among the most influential humorists and publishers of the late nineteenth century. He is recognized as the 'greatest humorist the United States has produced' and was labeled as 'the father of American literature by writer William Faulkner. Stormfield was Mark Twain's last home, where he lived from 1908 until his death in 1910.

Situated amongst 28.53 private acres, Stormfield is a European-inspired sanctuary that, despite its rural setting, is only 58 miles from the buzz of Midtown Manhattan. Despite a fire in 1923, the property has maintained a host of original assets, including its statement stone walls, pillars, and terraces. 

The 6,300 square foot main home has inspired our living room ideas through its intricate painted coffered ceiling, which crowns the elegant space with a luxe chandelier. Alongside its five bedrooms and five bathrooms, Stormfield has a large walk-in closet and a grand library with room for Mark Twain's most famous works. 

We're also taking hallway ideas from Stormfield's grand foyer area, complete with sweeping arches that act as a further nod to its Southern European influence. 

The large dining room overlooks the stone terrace, which leads to Stormfield's rolling landscape. These formal gardens survived the fire and are the same pastures Mark described as 'beautiful' as he observed the land from his home.

The exterior space also boasts a heated gunite pool alongside a guest cottage with views across the historic estate. Naturally, we're stealing garden ideas from this iconic American estate.

Listing agents Sotheby's have described the sale as a 'rare opportunity to own a piece of American History' which boasts the organic ambiance of Fairfield County whilst on the fringe of New York City. Literature lovers, it's time to make the investment.