Homes for sale are routinely referred to as ''rare offerings,'' but more often than not, they fall short of that description. This is not the case with the Closson House, a true one-of-one piece of history, offered for sale for only the second time since 1840. Expertly restored by two artists, this remarkable home occupies a rare space between historic preservation and the lost art of creative living. Long before it became a buzz word, authenticity was the philosophical driver behind the restoration of this house, from Italian plastering throughout the interior to its sheep's-wool insulation, to the original clapboard exterior brilliantly revived via ''pickling'' with linseed oil--all sought-after luxuries in today's world. Modern municipal running water was introduced for the first time in the home's history, and the house was rewired, but with period fixtures and switches, of course. A new roof and steel gutters are among many other improvements that have been made. The layout includes a kitchen and dining nook, which open onto one of the many gardens, a living room adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows, a generous double-height artist studio and a full bathroom on the first floor. One flight up one of the most beautiful staircases are two bedrooms and another full bathroom, and further up, a fabulous attic level is brimming with possibilities. Crowning the very top, the original cupola stands proud. Lore has it that this was Miss Closson's favorite place to read and craft. Set on a hill above the Stockport Creek, the plot of land is equally as special as the home itself. The nearly 1.8 acres are park-like, with meandering paths, mature trees, plantings and a fully fenced critter- proof vegetable garden. A 15-minute walk away, the protected Stockport Conservation area merges with the majestic Hudson River. Just 10 minutes from Warren Street and less than that to Ghent, the Closson House is a quiet refuge in a unique setting--a piece of history restored, preserved and ready for its next steward.