HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS

Short Hills, NJ

Front Photo

When you love art, you are driven by an insurmountable passion to surround yourself with a collection that makes you smile each and every day. But imagine applying that same passion to building a home around your art that also makes you smile. A home that is as much a work of art as the artwork itself.

This is exactly what the owners of curated after purchasing a modest ranch in 1998. Nestled on nearly two lush acres in the heart of Old Short Hills, the house was transformed into a warm, comfortable Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home that became the perfect vessel for love, life and art. Thoughtful details throughout make art a natural extension of the home, while special features make daily living truly a pleasure -- a celebration of life through art.

Designed by David Estreich and Brian Blackburn of David Estreich Architects in NYC, in collaboration with Interior Designer Thomas C. Burger of Las Vegas, the home was renovated and enlarged into the masterpiece it is today -- a collection in and of itself. A new master bedroom wing, kitchen wing and rear pavilion were added in an unassuming way from the front, creating an interior space boasting nearly 10,000 square feet while also creating a delightful courtyard in the rear for al fresco entertaining.

The home’s flowing design invites residents and guests to meander through its wonderful spaces. And what isn’t seen is as impressive as the exquisite details that are. For example, radiantly heated floors throughout the entire home envelope occupants in warmth and comfort all winter long. It is a home that makes you want to linger and wander, rather than simply occupy it.

Architectural details throughout the residence remind you that you are part of something more, as if you yourself are also part of the art. Changing floor levels, ceiling heights and shapes create special rooms that all feel different yet cohesive. Lower ceilings in the gallery are offset by lower floors and higher ceilings in the great room, a barreled ceiling in the foyer, a soaring ceiling in the family room and a bi-level ceiling in the dining room. Unlike ceilings and floors in most homes, the ceiling and floor details are an intricate part of the design, drawing your eyes up and down and all around.

And while it may seem to have happened by chance, that was certainly not the case here. Lighting, windows, wall shapes, moldings, ceilings, floors, built-ins, seating layouts, angles and adjacent rooms were all taken into account during the home’s transformation. Gutting the previous home was the only option to create the right spaces for fine art and sculptures -- so they could be experienced rather than just seen. Even the baths and kitchen were designed as works of art, with an oval bath for “her” featuring curved walls and even a curved shower door that were all painstakingly designed to perfection.

As with any home inspired by a Frank Lloyd Wright design, the interior and exterior spaces are at one with each other -- bringing the exterior in and allowing the lush landscaping to be the backdrop, the canvas, for a life well-lived. A large free-standing pavilion in the rear of the home is the piece de resistance of the exterior. Made of stucco, metal, glass and screens, it offers a comfortable enclosed seating area in which to enjoy warmer weather with panoramic views of the courtyard and gardens. The structure appears as if it was always an integral part of the property.

And that is what is so special about this home. The thought put into each interior and exterior “room” is so unfathomable, so immeasurable and so incomprehensible – resulting in a design so cohesive, so striking and so spectacular that should just one surface of a room go missing, the entire design would fail. It is as if each room is a puzzle piece, working in conjunction with one another to create an overall masterpiece.

 

FLOOR PLAN

Click here to access the floorplan.

PROPERTY OVERVIEW

Foyer

Sun pours through the barrelled ceiling foyer by way of a framed skylight highlighting an Alexander Calder mobile. The entry doors are custom made of bronze and framed by stained glass sidelights. The current owners opted for a natural color palette on the Venetian stucco walls and French limestone floors to set off their art collection. The start of a meandering floor plan, the foyer sets the stage for what is to come.

Family RoomThe family room features a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired stained glass ceiling. Here one also finds custom designer wall treatments and artwork lighting strategically placed throughout the room. Floor to ceiling windows accentuate the high ceiling height while a sycamore wood cabinet is the perfect home for even the most extravagant sculpture. Outside the room's large windows is an enclosed sculpture garden for those pieces which may be too large to fit indoors.

Living RoomThe home features a wonderful flowing layout designed to invite occupants and guests to appreciate the art within. An open gallery leads to the sunken great room, tied together by stained cherry pilasters and beams. The room is also adorned with a custom limestone fireplace that is non-functioning so as not to harm precious artwork in the room. A custom bronze handrail separates the gallery from the great room. Large cutouts between the great room and dining room extend sightlines and while also providing additional platforms for art. 

Dining RoomTo accommodate the current owners' extended family and friends, as well as to accommodate large-scale artwork, the formal dining room was enlarged in both footprint and height to become an airy gathering space. The wood floors are stenciled and complement the chair pattern. The lighting was custom designed by late French designer Jean Royere.

KitchenThe home features a spacious kitchen wing. Here, an oversized pearwood island with black granite countertop sits under a contemporary chandelier designed by architect David Estreich and mirrors the design of the oven hood. The kitchen is one of the few rooms in the home without artwork so the current owners decided to blend architecture and artisanship. The gourmet kitchen features three sinks and top-of-the-line appliances for even the most discerning chef including a Thermador dual-fuel range with two ovens, Sub-Zero 42" side-by-side refrigerator/freezer, two Miele dishwashers and two additional Thermador electric wall ovens. A nearby butler's pantry features a fourth sink, ice maker and floor-to-ceiling Northland wine refrigerator.

Powder RoomThe powder room off the foyer gallery is a work of art with perfect circular bands of sycamore contrasted with black reveals for a modern look. The marble flooring is complemented by both the sink and the border of the mirror. The round tray ceiling is a wonderful accent in a room that both residents and guests will admire.

Master BedroomThe primary bedroom suite is a light and airy space that faces the rear courtyard and offers sweeping views of the grounds below. The sitting area boasts windows similar to those in the dining room but reversed with large windows topping a row of smaller windows to provide a glimpse of the bluestone patio below. Various sources of lighting, including uplighting above the accent ceilings, provide a warm and inviting glow.

Primary BathThe primary bedroom suite offers two separate baths. One features curved walls and a mother-of-pearl inlaid floor. The mosaic pattern is picked up in the walk-in shower. A sandblasted picture window by the soaking tub offers privacy with one section of clear glass for a view of the trees beyond. Even the shower door is curved, demonstrating an unsurpassed level of detail and design.

OutdoorOutdoor living is exactly what one would expect from a home of this caliber. Two separate patios offer multiple areas for entertaining. A  freestanding pavilion made of stucco, metal, glass and screens offers a wonderful enclosed seating area in which to enjoy panoramic views of the courtyard and gardens.

Step into this extraordinary masterpiece and let your creativity soar.

PROPERTY DETAILS

     OVERVIEW

  • 6 Bedrooms | 6.1 Baths
  • Stunning custom home featuring everything that home buyers want today and more:
    • Open concept floor plan
    • Floor to ceilings windows and doors
    • Abundance of bedrooms and baths
    • Flexible bedroom configuration
    • Luxuriously appointed custom baths
    • Year-round entertaining with expansive interior and exterior spaces
    • Fresh, modern colors and finishes
    • Sleek flooring
    • Finished lower level
    • Artwork lighting throughout
    • Custom light filtering window treatments throughout (Motorized in many areas)
    • Plenty of storage including walk-in closets throughout
    • Expansive property
    • Prestigious Short Hills school system 

     FIRST FLOOR

Entry Foyer

  • Custom Bronze Doors with stained glass sidelights
  • Barrelled Ceiling
  • Skylight
  • Alexander Calder Mobile

Family Room

  • Frank Lloyd Wright inspired glass ceiling
  • Custom designer wall treatment
  • Floor to ceiling windows
  • Sycamore wood built-in cabinet
  • Built-in gas fireplace

Front Gallery

  • Custom artwork lighting
  • Custom bronze railing
  • Wall of doors to front property

Great Room

  • Stained cherry pilasters & beams
  • Sunken to offer high ceilings
  • Wall of doors to rear patio
  • Custom limestone fireplace
  • Large cutouts between Great Room & Dining Room

Dining Room

  • Floor to ceiling windows
  • Hand-stenciled wood flooring
  • Light fixture custom-designed by Jean Royere

Gourmet Kitchen

  • Custom pearwood cabinetry
  • Black granite countertops
  • Contemporary chandelier by David Estreich
  • Three sinks
  • Thermador dual-fuel range with two ovens
  • Sub-Zero 42" side-by-side refrigerator/freezer
  • Two Miele dishwashers
  • Two Thermador wall ovens

Butler's Pantry

  • Matching cabinetry
  • Large sink
  • Ice Maker
  • Floor-to-ceiling Northland wine refrigerator

Bedroom 3

  • Large closet
  • Wall to wall carpeting
  • Nearby full bath with shower

Garage

  • Oversized 2-car
  • Abundant storage space

Rear Gallery

  • Expansive walls for large canvas paintings or sculptures
  • French doors to rear patio

Bedroom 2

  • Two large closets
  • Wall-to-wall carpeting
  • En-suite bath with shower

Formal Powder Room

  • Circular bands of sycamore contrasted with black reveals
  • Designer fixtures
  • Custom lighting

Primary Bedroom Suite

  • Walls of windows
  • Accent ceiling with uplighting
  • Custom wall treatments

Primary Bedroom Suite Baths

  • Bath 1: large shower with custom vanity and designer fixtures
  • Bath 2: Expansive circular shape with cured walls, mother-of-pearl inlaid flooring, soaking tub and walk-in shower

Primary Bedroom Suite Closets

  • Closet 1: Large with built-in storage cabinetry for clothing and shoes
  • Closet 2: Large with built-in storage cabinetry for clothing, shoes and jewelry - Offers two entrances (one directly into bath)

     SECOND FLOOR

Bedroom 4

  • Wall-to-wall carpeting
  • Two large closets
  • Wall of windows with views of grounds

Bedroom 5

  • Wall-to-wall carpeting
  • Two large closets
  • Two walls of windows with views of grounds

Expansive Bath

  • Two vanities
  • Designer tiles and hardware
  • Bathtub and walk-in shower

Storage Room

  • Large storage room with multiple closets for off-season clothing storage

Loft

  • Built-in book storage shelves
  • Wall of windows with views of grounds
  • Designer light fixture

     LOWER LEVEL

  • Wall to wall carpeting
  • Multiple storage rooms with built-in shelving
  • French door to rear patio

Bedroom 6

  • Large closet
  • Reach-in closet
  • Nearby full bath with walk-in shower

     Systems

      • Radiant Heating Throughout: Zone 1: Great Room | Zone 2: Foyer & Hall | Zone 3: Family Room | Zone 4: First Floor Guest Bedroom | Zone 5: First Floor Exercise Room/Bedroom near Kitchen | Zone 6: "His" Primary Bedroom Bath | Zone 7: Primary Bedroom Suite | Zone 8: Primary Bedroom Suite Hall | Zone 9: Rear Hall & Laundry Room | Zone 10: Kitchen | Zone 11: Second Floor Bath | Zone 12: Second Floor Left Bedroom | Zone 13: Second Floor Right Bedroom | Zone 14: Back Basement | Zone 15: Center Basement | Zone 16: Front Basement
      • Two Slant/Fin boilers
      • Two 75 gallon indirect fired water tanks by Triangle Tube
      • Central vacuum system
      • Whole-house natural gas generator by Cummins
      • Lutron HomeWorks lighting
      • Phone and intercom system
      • State-of-the-art security system with motion detectors, glass break sensors and surveillance cameras

     LANDSCAPING

  • Lush, mature specimen plantings throughout entire property
  • Irrigation system with sprinkler heads for lawn and planting beds

     EXCLUSIONS

  • C/O Listing Agent

*The information above is deemed to be accurate but is not guaranteed and is subject to change.