Description

Perched atop a private hillside sits a very special French Country home where no stone has been left unturned and no detail overlooked. This exquisitely designed manor, constructed in 2002 of stone mined from the property, is enhanced by its wood shingle roof, unique copper details and antique, architectural-salvage elements. Walls, also constructed of local stone, meander around the home and through the carefully tended property. A whimsical feature of this magnificent property is a stone chapel, known as the Little Church in the Wildwood. Constructed in 1908 as a part of the Balbrook estate, the church is a replica of a Bavarian chapel and with matching stone, compliments the more recently constructed home beautifully. Located at the end of a private tree lined drive in Mendham Borough, this magnificent home, built in 2002, was hand crafted by old world artisans with incredible attention to detail. From the oval, plaster recessed ceilings in the dining and living rooms, to the basket-weave moldings and Venetian plaster walls, each element of the building was painstakingly created by the best craftsmen in their respective fields. The main floor is perfectly laid out with a combination of polished Sienna marble and 150 year old antique heart-pine floors. Every room has custom crafted architectural elements, several with imported, antique mantels. The formal rooms, including grand entrance foyer with full bar area, library, living and dining rooms, and great room enjoy gorgeous views of the front and rear of the property from custom windows and French doors. The great room, library and foyer all open out onto the expansive rear bluestone patio. The kitchen and family room areas include a keeping room with farmer’s fireplace surrounded by Delft tile and a stone and barn-beam mantle, breakfast area with French door to back garden and a large mahogany paneled family room which also opens to back garden. The French country kitchen is conveniently designed for the gourmet chef and includes custom fitted, built in, antique cupboard and a combination of marble and massive butcher block countertops. A 90 foot gallery hall with curved, hand plastered dome ceiling, leads from one end of the home to the master suite area with a gracious sitting room and fireplace to the dressing room and bathroom with Carrera marble floor, tub surround and shower. The spacious bedroom has a plastered ceiling with French inspired designs, massive built-ins and beautiful views of the property. A first floor laundry and mudroom with two sinks and dog wash area, and secondary office with built-in desk and tumbled Sienna marble floors, complete this incredible main level. The second floor of the home has five exquisitely designed, en suite bedrooms, all with their own custom details, a second floor laundry and a separate caretaker’s apartment with living room, kitchen, bedroom and full bath. The completely finished lower level includes a full office suite with reception area and separate, outside entrance. There is a large gym and full bath with steam shower. The stunning home theatre seats 11 on leather reclining chairs, with a 12-foot screen and Runco electronics. A full bar with custom wood inlay cabinets and Belgium marble counter top is surrounded by a 1000-bottle capacity wine cellar with two stained glass windows and marble floor, a pool table area and seating area, along with generous storage rooms. To the rear of the house, a multi level bluestone patio is beautifully graced with stone walls, gardens and large in-ground pool, complete with pool house with full kitchen, bath and dressing room. A Belgium block courtyard with French “bee wing” design leads to the 4-car heated garage. A long and winding drive leads over a wooden bridge to the chapel that has been lovingly restored by the current owners, including bell tower and multiple stained glass windows, one of which is said to be from Tiffany, who allegedly worshiped there with other notables. Offering incredible privacy, this home is also very convenient to both Mendham and Bernardsville.