THIS SPRAWLING ESTATE PRESENTS EXPANSIVE INTERIOR SPACE, WIDE RANGING AMENITIES, AND OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS TO APPEAL TO YOUR INSATIABLE NEED TO ENTERTAIN

BY JENNIFER VIKSE

On more than two and a half sprawling acres in Colts Neck there sits an estate so private, set so far back from the road behind its wrought iron gate and up a long, paving stone driveway, that at first it might seem uninviting. But welcoming is exactly what this house is.

Boasting more than 7,000 square feet of living space, this wood and stone home, built in 2005, features not only high end finishes and details but, with five bedrooms and five and a half baths, extraordinarily ample living space. Then there’s the outside, featuring a large yard and pool and a play area with swings, slide, and a wooden tree house. A veritable amusement park.
One enters into a bright, open, and welcoming foyer under a lovely chandelier. Gleaming hardwood floors are set beneath a coffered wooden ceiling just one of many in the home, all of them done by Beth Gersten, who is well known for custom decorative painting and interior finishes for both residential and commercial spaces.

“Beth did all of the coffered ceilings in the house” including the dining room, the kitchen, the main hallway, the master bedroom, and master bathroom said the owner, as well as the distinctive hand painting on the walls of the formal dining room and living room.

To the right of the entryway is a staircase with a wooden railing and wrought iron balusters. To the left is an expansive kitchen with marble flooring; a large island for entertaining, preparation, and serving; and a butler’s pantry. Wood cabinets, which feature scrollwork molding, line the walls. A pair of Tiffany style pendant lights hang over the island, while recessed ceiling fixtures provide additional light. An ornate buffet sits against one wall, and a large painting featuring a pastoral Tuscan scene hangs over the buffet.

Just beyond the kitchen is a breakfast room with seating for ten. On one side of the room, a window seat is set between two wall sconces. A large mirror anchors another wall, and a bounty of windows offers ample natural light. The room is done in white, browns, and tans, and a Tiffany style light above the table adds pops of bold color.

A heavy wooden table with seating for 10 is the centerpiece of the formal dining room, which is also done in earth tones. The room features decorative molding on the walls and ceiling, and classically inspired artwork hangs on the walls. It all sits atop a wood floor, partially covered by an area rug. There are rich draperies around the room’s many windows. (All of the residence’s window treatments were done by Lenore Palladino of Finishing Touches by Lenore, based in Middletown.)

Also on the first floor is a comfortable family room, furnished with oversized armchairs and sofas in tufted brown leather. Built-ins, one with a window seat, are positioned on either side of the fireplace, and the windows are tucked away under wooden cornices. The furniture is arranged around two large tufted ottomans, and a glass door leads to a formal living space that has a sofa and a baby grand piano.

An office, done in warm tones with heavy draperies, has a wooden desk, an oversized leather chair, and two formal armchairs atop a tile floor. French doors provide plenty of light and easy access to an enormous terrace that runs along most of the backside of the house.

Up the staircase, there’s a wide hallway with a seating area and glistening hardwood floors.
The master suite, which is done under a gorgeous custom vaulted ceiling, features a lavish and richly furnished seating area along with a fireplace, walk in closets, and a master bath. Attractive area rugs cover the bedroom’s wooden floors. The room’s classic furniture includes a four poster wooden bed adorned with finials an upholstered bench with high arms sits at its foot. The room also has a lovely balcony overlooking the landscaped property.

The spacious master bath has marble floors with double sinks on opposite walls. A soaking tub with golden claw feet sits in an alcove in front of a French window surrounded by heavy drapes. There’s also a walk in shower.

The other bedrooms, though similarly oversized, still manage to seem cozy, with rich bedding and minimalist furnishings. One has a unique vaulted ceiling, another has a striking scroll bed, and a third has a sumptuous bed that sits opposite a wall mounted TV.

The home’s spacious lower level is perfect for entertaining. In one room, a full bar runs along the wall under a coffered ceiling. Matching sets of double French doors lead to a covered terrace overlooking the grounds. “It’s always cool under there,” said the owner, adding that there’s a dependable breeze. But if, somehow, that breeze should wane, there is a set of ceiling fans to help.

The lower floor also has a small gym and a laundry room.

Outside, an enormous multi-level patio surrounds a spectacular saltwater pool. Beside the pool is a 15 person hot tub. There’s also a roofed, four columned cabana complete with a swim up bar.
“Outdoor entertainment space is always important,” said the owner. While the swim up bar features seating inside the pool for eight, the cabana also provides a separate seating area at terrace level. The space, which is wired for television and stereo, features three refrigerators and an ice machine. “It’s super cool,” she said of the space, which even has a pair of ceiling fans overhead for steamy summer days.

The outside space also includes a Viking grill by the pool and another closer to the kitchen. And, as if its combination of privacy, quiet, and sleeve of amenities wasn’t enticing enough, the property is a three iron shot away from the Trump National Golf Club. Beautifully landscaped gardens surround the outdoor space, which also sports a children’s playground (built on golf turf ) and a clubhouse.

The home is currently listed at $2,500,000.