Positioned on a southwest-facing Lakefront lot, 178 Canal Road delivers what most Wolf Lake buyers spend years searching for and rarely find: a property where the original character has been honored, the modern systems are already done, and the lake views are among the finest.

The 1940 stone exterior (uncommon in this community) sets the tone from the first impression, and that same stone carries inside, becoming a living design element in the primary suite, the formal dining room, and the lower-level living room, each with an elevated view. The southwest orientation and point position create the light effect of "diamonds on the water" that is difficult to describe and impossible to forget. The finished lower level, with a wall of glass, opens directly to a custom stone patio, a built-in stone grill, and an outdoor dining area where the craftsmanship is unmatched.

The infrastructure behind this home is equally resolved: Whole-home generator, central air, a detached two-car heated garage, a finished walkout basement. A small fenced kitchen herb garden sits just off the entry patio area; the garage placement creates privacy from the street while the lake side remains entirely open to the water and the evening sky.

Wolf Lake is one of Sullivan County's most sought-after private lake communities; 1,800 acres of protected forestland, three spring-fed lakes, a community beach, miles of hiking trails, a clubhouse, and a full calendar of events. 90 minutes from the George Washington Bridge. One-time membership fee: $5,250. Annual dues: $1,350.

A property where the rustic and the resolved exist in the same moment, a version of lake life that does not require compromise, 178 Canal Road.