LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
REAL ESTATE
THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE
A Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home offers the perfect setting for a serious art collection.
Short Hills, New Jersey
$4,400,000
MANDI KEIGHRAN
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the indisputable Masters of architecture, and his homes are comparable to works of art in their craftsmanship and detail. So, when an art-collecting couple approached David Estreich and Brian Blackburn of David Estreich Architects in NYC to extend a modest ranch nestled into nearly two acres at the heart of Old Short Hills, it's no surprise they turned to Wright's oeuvre for inspiration. The renovation—completed in collaboration with Las Vegas-based interior designer Thomas C. Burger— encompasses a new master bedroom wing, a kitchen wing, and an impressive freestanding rear pavilion to create an interior space of nearly 10,000 square feet. "Today, the home that is as much a work of art as the artwork itself," exclaims listing broker Anthony J. Verducci, Jr., Prominent Properties, Sotheby's International Realty.
Much like Wright's, homes are renowned for the way they create a sense of peace, space, and harmony, and the flowing spatial design of this estate evokes a similar balance. Enter the palatial residence through bespoke bronze and stained-glass doors that lead to a barrelled-ceiling foyer, with a skylight that frames an Alexander Calder mobile. Verducci describes, "The foyer sets the stage for what is to come."
The family room has a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired stained-glass ceiling that echoes the front door and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the enclosed sculpture garden. Hallways are designed to double as gallery spaces, and an impressive great room with cherry wood pilasters and beams and the airy formal dining room offer additional spaces to display largescale artwork. The gourmet kitchen wing is one of the few spaces not displaying artwork and instead celebrates the artisanship of the bespoke fit-out and top-of-the-line appliances. In each of these more public spaces, shifting ceiling and floor heights add a dynamic sense of movement, drawing the eye to the artfully crafted details. A palette of Venetian stucco walls and French limestone floors offers an elegant backdrop for artwork, while the lighting was custom designed by the late French designer Jean Royere.
The light and airy bedrooms have been designed with an equally discerning eye for detail. The spacious primary bedroom suite features a sitting area with windows that are the inverse of those in the dining room. The ensuite boasts two separate baths, including one with a mother-of-Pearl inlaid floor.
Outdoors, the grounds are equally stunning, with two separate patios that offer multiple areas for entertaining. The freestanding pavilion offers a dreamy, enclosed seating area where one can enjoy panoramic views of the courtyard and gardens.
This one-of-a-kind residence—part home, part gallery— is currently awaiting new owners to put their mark on it with their own unique collection of art.
This Short Hills home is listed at $4,400,000. More information can be found at www.BespokeShortHills.com
For more information, or to schedule a private showing, please contact:
Anthony J. Verducci, Jr.
Prominent Properties
Sotheby's International Realty
555 Millburn Avenue
Short Hills, NJ 07078
O: (973) 376-8188