Description

It is hardly surprising that upon completion of this home's 1.8 million dollar transformation, Design NJ magazine recognized a superb opportunity to feature glorious photography and a relishable lifestyle. Full-paged pictures depict the pergola covered dining terrace, waterfalls cascading into the black-bottomed pool, outdoor kitchen and pool house. The accompanying text speaks of guests "dining under the stars, or noshing at a counter in the outdoor kitchen. They're relaxing on lounge chairs on a moonlit hilltop patio . . . or sitting around a crackling fire pit near the pool. They're mingling in clusters on the thousand-square-foot terrace of hand-hewn Tennessee Crab Orchard flagstone or swimming across a heated "pond" with a series of heated waterfalls."

Wrought-iron gates open to this estate's 5+ lushly landscaped acres situated in bucolic Harding Twp. White-blossoming Bradford pear trees line the drive to the central courtyard with lighted fountain. A golf chipping putting green nestles to the right along the way. Framed with limestone balusters, the main-entry's stone and marble heated staircase as well as the home's pastel stucco siding provide the first impression of the conversion to warm hues and prevailing Tuscan combinations of stone, stucco, wood and iron.

Unconventional structural design, including multiple turrets and roof elevations, allows for a unique 10,000 sq. ft. interior stage. On the main level, a central gathering area is flanked by expansive wings for kitchen/dining and the master suite. Vast window walls create a seamless connection to the pastoral setting. Elaborate millwork, fresco-finished walls, arched entries, marble and wood floors, raised ceilings and multiple fireplaces add their sensual charm.

In the atrium-style foyer, a spectacular flying steel staircase suspends for three levels. The dining, living and family rooms flow one to the other, each opening to the pool terrace, and the latter including a climate-controlled, cherry-fitted wine room. A vast crescent-shaped island with breakfast bar and dining area with fireplace and entertainment center invite lingering in the kitchen which also includes Rutt handcrafted cabinetry and a gourmet's delight of appliances issued by Wolf, Sub-Zero and Miele. No less auspicious is the master-suite wing with hall leading from the bedroom with faux-painted tray ceiling to the octagonal atrium flanked by his and her baths and dressing rooms and an exercise room. Complementing the first level is the library/office with octagonal, turret ceiling, white-washed oak paneling and a surround of windows displaying the imposing entrance courtyard with fountain and yet another view of the resplendent grounds.