PHOTOS BY JEFF MUSCHAR PHOTOGRAPHY

H is marriage ending, Rich Hoyland found the perfect home for the next phase of his life in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, when his real estate agent brought him to 209 Pin Oak Drive in the Sunset Ridge neighborhood of Pine. 

Built by Infinity Custom Homes as a Smart Home showcase, it features four bedrooms, three full bathrooms, two half baths and more than 4,500 square feet of living space.

The interior was designed and staged by Tiffany Brooks, who brought a contemporary flair that belied the home’s farmhouse-style bones. 

Seeing the home had everything he needed, Hoyland quickly purchased it. 

“I took nothing from the divorce, and this house came to me turnkey with everything in it — towels, furniture and even clothes from the staging,” he says. “It was crazy.”

Now that the kids are on their way out of the nest, Hoyland decided it’s time to downsize. He has listed the house for $1.5 million (MLS# 1560264, Jeannine Mullen, Howard Hanna Real Estate, 412-780-9979). It is open by appointment. 

The home has an exciting color story that begins on the exterior; the board-and-batten facade is mixed with siding in shades of blue and tan, while stained cedar porch columns provide warmth atop stone pedestals. 

A double-wide entry door leads into the open-concept home. The two-story entry features a one-of-a-kind light sculpture by J. Pickens that is a mix of bike gears and wheels. 

To the left, the study is painted a deep eggplant purple that also washes over the built-in bookcases and ceilings. Rich, contemporary artwork adds pops of color, a theme that echoes throughout the home’s  sophisticated design. 

“The first-time I saw it, I was in awe,” Hoyland says. “It is so vibrant and beautifully decorated.” 

Flanking the opposite side, the dining room wears its bold color in a different place — the ceiling. The fresh, fern-green hue emulates the feeling of being outdoors, as do the botanical-print drapes and green velvet chairs.

In the hallway, a planter box is accentuated by a mural of Pittsburgh’s past. The gritty steel mill scene is illuminated at night by a pair of oval sconces.

Anchoring the home is the kitchen and great room, which is done in shades of black and white. The cabinets are outfitted with light-green glass. One of the standouts is the kitchen’s bold “X”-motif tile, which is repeated on everything from the backsplash tile and built-in wine bar to the countertop stools. 

A technology lover’s dream, the kitchen appliances are all Energy Star rated and feature smart controls. A wall of cabinetry in the breakfast nook includes a beverage center and coffee bar. The vaulted ceiling has a trio of skylights with automatic motorized shades.  

In the family room is a riveted wood coffered ceiling, a dramatic fireplace and a contemporary chandelier alongside a large picture window. 

Accessed from the kitchen nook, the outdoor deck features slick technology, including a pop-up television that rises from a built-in, stone façade cabinet. The covered space is finished with more cedar accents and a bank of roof skylights. 

Besides the stackable washer and dryer, the clever laundry room has a dog wash as well as an automatic pet feeder that connects to your smartphone to send notifications when food is low. 

In the powder room, the walls and ceiling are bathed in a deep plum shade that enhances the floral sink bowl. The smart technology in this area includes an option-loaded mirror and a toilet with a bidet. 

Outfitted with a Mitsubishi climate-control system that keeps everything at the perfect temperature, the three-car garage has wall-mounted bike racks and custom storage space. In one of the main bays, an alcove has been transformed into a workout area with a digital weight-management system paired with a virtual trainer to create a personalized experience. There’s also a weight rack, punching bag and lockers.  

Upstairs, the four bedrooms include the magnificent primary suite, which features rich, dark chocolate-colored walls and ceilings, large windows and globe-shaped sconces.

The organic shapes of the soaking tub and sinks vie for attention in the ensuite bathroom, which also houses a shower with six programmable wall sprays, a rain showerhead and waterproof speakers. In the water closet is a wall-hung toilet with personal cleansing options and a heated seat.  

The Wi-Fi-enabled smart mirrors are voice activated to adjust lighting and also access streaming apps. There’s also a custom walk-in closet outfitted in warm wood finishes and a cream carpet.  

 Hoyland, who works in the technology field, says he loves all the home’s smart features. 

“It took me 30 to 45 days to really learn about it,” he says. “Even the beds are smart beds; they analyze your sleeping.”  

The home’s three other bedrooms reflect decor for a small child, a teen and a luxury guest suite, which is painted a bright teal with white accents. The herringbone wall tile in the adjoining bathroom echoes that color choice. The technology continues in the black-and-white child’s bathroom, which has a Bluetooth-enabled toilet, a programmable shower and Wi-Fi-connected mirrors. 

With its thyme-green walls and ceiling, the expansive lower level wows. Black-and-white accents, including in the artwork and furniture,  temper the vivid color choice. There’s also a gaming area with Skee-Ball tables and fun, retro arcade games. 

The outside includes a covered, private outdoor patio. The yard also boasts a pretty pergola that could be the perfect place to unwind with a book.  

Hoyland adds the house turned out to be a wonderful respite for this stage of life. 

“I have three children and they come and go and use it all,” he says. “[There are] smart TVs, a wonderful sound system; the whole house can be controlled from your iPad or iPhone. Everything is also programmed through Alexa.” 

More importantly, the home became a place of celebration for his family. 

“Birthday parties, Christmas, my kids were just blown away,” Hoyland says. “Everyone has so much fun here. I am just very fortunate that this opportunity presented itself at this time in my life.” 

Hot Property, an inside look into unique and historic homes on the market. Each week, Hot Property goes behind the For Sale sign to share the story of a special Pittsburgh-area home. And four times a year, Hot Property gives an in-depth look at the region’s real estate market in Pittsburgh Magazine HOME, tracking housing prices and sales and detailing where the hot properties can be found. Rosa can be reached at onecordovaroad@gmail.com.

About: Pine ( twp.pine.pa.us ) Population: 13,337 Planes, Trains & Automobiles: A 40-minute commute to the airport. Schools:  Pine-Richland School District ( pinerichland.org ) Neighborhoods: Thanks to an explosion of new homes and other commercial development, Pine has seen dramatic growth in recent years. Incorporated in 1796, the township encompasses almost 17 square miles and is easily accessed by Interstates 79 and 279, making it a desirable location for city commuters.