Landmark Tudor in Chatham Borough

Located on Chatham’s Mansion Row, this circa 1908 Tudor residence is set on a lovely half-acre hillside property with impressive views from its elevated vantage point.  Characteristic details reflect the craftsmanship and details of the last century, such as diamond-paned windows, beamed ceilings, hardwood floors and classic millwork.  The brick, stucco and half-timber exterior is instantly recognizable as traditional Tudor architecture.

A grandly-styled floor plan is arranged on four finished levels, and thoughtful updates give it a fresh, airy look.  For instance, the spacious chef’s kitchen is appointed with professional-grade appliances, granite countertops and exquisite cabinetry, including a center island breakfast bar.  Gathering spaces include a formal living room which is separated from the formal dining room by a dramatic archway.  Built-in cabinets and a wood burning fireplace characterize the inviting family room.  On the lower level are a recreation room, wine cellar and powder room.

Three of the home’s five bedrooms are located on the second story, and two are on the third floor.  There are a total of three full baths and two half baths in this appealing Tudor.  Additional amenities include enclosed porches, a patio, and two-car garage.

This rare in-town location is walking distance to the Midtown Direct train to New York City, shops, restaurants and services in Chatham Borough.  It is conveniently located near schools and a network of local and interstate highways, and represents the very best of Chatham homes for sale in today’s marketplace.

Bedminster-Far Hills Little League Sign-Ups

Even though the Super Bowl is still on the horizon, it’s not too early to think about baseball. The Bedminster-Far Hills Little League is gearing up for Spring and offering online registration for the upcoming season.   Deadlines for signing up are this Monday, January 31.

Free clinics will be offered to registrants during February and March to prepare the players for the season. Registration is open to residents of Bedminster and Far Hills.

Among the programs offered by the Bedminster-Far Hills Little League are:

Boys and Girls Tee-Ball program for Pre-K and Kindergarten students who will by five years old by April 30, 2011.  Boys and girls are invited to participate in this instructional, non-competitive league.

Programs for boys include Boys Instructional Baseball for ages seven and eight; Boys Minors Baseball for ages nine and ten; Boys Majors Baseball competitive division for ages 11 and 12; Boys Juniors/Babe Ruth Baseball for play on a 60/90 field for ages 13 to 15.

Programs for girls include Girls Instructional Softball for ages seven and eight; Girls Minors Softball for ages nine and ten; Girls Majors Softball for ages 11 and 12; and Girls Juniors Softball for ages 13 to 15.

The Bedminster-Far Hills Little League teaches young residents about the importance of sportsmanship and fair play, lessons that go well beyond the baseball field.  Living in a place that stresses the value of community is just one of the many reasons residents choose to call this part of New Jersey their home.  For more information about the amenities in the area, as well as Far Hills real estate, visit our Far Hills Office at 21 Route 202.

The sale of The Meadows at New Vernon was represented by Turpin on both sides; it was listed by the Far Hills office and sold by the Bernardsville office.  The transaction took place in 2005 when it sold for over $4 million, making it one of the top New Vernon homes for sale at that time.

From its grand exterior styled with striking rooflines to its cheerful yellow wood shingle exterior, it is hard to envision that The Meadows had humble beginnings as a carriage house in the early part of the last century.  This converted carriage house was originally part of the Rathmelton estate mentioned in an earlier post.

One of the grandest estates in the area, the main home at Rathmelton was designed by celebrated architects Peabody, Wilson and Brown for New York financier Howard Bayne, the namesake of Harding’s Bayne Park.  Rathmelton was named for the Northern Ireland town and birthplace of family patriarch Samuel Bayne.

Set on 15 acres, The Meadows featured colorful interiors decorated by Mario Buatta, whose reputation for using vibrant prints earned him the nickname The Prince of Chintz.  Equally appealing were the grounds which contained spectacular gardens, a tennis court, barn, in-ground pool and cabana.

One of the things that have made The Meadows such a special place is its flag lot location along Village Road.  Approached by a quiet lane to the home’s entry, there is a large measure of privacy and seclusion.  The open, level property is fringed by leafy trees and green lawns, adding to the stately atmosphere.

Built in about 1900, the former carriage home’s spacious 13 room floor plan included five bedrooms, five full baths and two powder rooms.  An attached garage offered parking for five cars.  Updates through the years have included 21st century conveniences like underground lawn sprinklers and central air conditioning.

Incredibly Detailed French Chateau

Among all Mendham homes for sale, this unique French chateau is noteworthy for being the last home ever designed by noted architect James Timpson.  Known as one of the most influential American designers of his generation, Timpson gained much of his insight about fine architecture while studying under Frank Lloyd Wright.

Distinctive French details were rendered by Guy Cavaluzzi, who formerly worked at Core Décor in Mendham.  He and Timpson directed many design aspects of this residence, and the result is an authentic reproduction of a chateau reminiscent of those gracing the French countryside.  Cavaluzzi personally chose the intricate Enkeboll millwork, floors and ceilings to reflect Old World style.  Much of the hardware was obtained from the oldest decorative hardware firm in the country, P.E. Guerin.  Recessed panels in the library are a faithful copy of Louis IV style, while 24 karat gold leaf trims the formal dining room.  Four woodburning fireplaces are each architectural reproductions featuring supplemental gas lines.

Set on 7.85 view-filled acres on a hilltop in the estate section of Mendham Borough, an additional five-acre subdivided lot is also available.  The level of detail in this classic six bedroom, four-and-one-half bath home makes it a distinctive choice in Mendham real estate.  A walled bluestone terrace measuring 3,000 square feet and a large Koi pond with waterfalls lend even more enchantment to this amazing residence.

A custom-created shingle style home was sold by Turpin Real Estate in 2005.  One of the year’s most striking listings among all Mendham homes for sale, this memorable 23-room residence contains over-the-top details like a 38-foot indoor lap pool, sports room with Astroturf flooring, a concealed wine cellar and unique rooms located within a two-story turret. 

The home’s classic shingle exterior is accented with stone work and capped by a hand-split cedar shake roof.  Set on over 16 open and rolling acres with panoramic views of the Mendham countryside, outbuildings on the property include a barn and stone shed.

Interior appointments such as random width wide plank oak floors throughout the first and second floors, handcrafted millwork and antique-finished hardware are gracious touches.  Cutting-edge integrated home wiring was designed meet high technology needs.

Gathering areas invite gracious living.  A dining room is fitted with French doors to a bluestone terrace.  The living room is appointed with coffered ceilings, a fireplace and charming turret area.  In the library, mahogany paneling, fireplace and built-in cabinetry are stately details. Casual living space includes a playroom tucked beyond pocket doors and a family room anchored by a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. 

The kitchen encompasses a series of rooms, including a breakfast room and butler’s pantry.  Arched stone walls, radiant heated travertine marble floors and tumbled marble countertops are among the timeless design elements.

An indoor lap pool measuring 38-feet long is enhanced by a Jacuzzi spa, sauna and steam room, a stone fireplace and full bath/changing room.  The main floor continues with a guest suite and staff suite, laundry room and mud room.

Upstairs, the master bedroom’s focal point is a limestone-manteled gas fireplace with a built-in television above.  One of the two master sitting areas is located in a 15-foot turret with private balcony.  An opulent master bath adjoins.  A home office on this level connects to the library by a separate staircase.  Additionally, there are four more bedrooms, three full baths, a laundry room and spacious exercise room with balcony on the second story.

Beautifully-finished areas on the lower level include a billiard room with fireplace, media room, wine cellar with arched stone walls concealed behind stained glass doors, a kitchenette, sports room with Astroturf flooring and tempered glass window, and a crafts room.

Click here to view the Bernardsville News photo coverage of our 50th Anniversary Gala.  Photos by Erin Kiernan.

Located in the premier Charolais Farm section of fine residences, Turpin Real Estate handled this Mendham home for sale in 2007 with an asking price of $6.75 million.  The home has somewhat of a legacy with Turpin, as then selling agent, Alaina Pyontek points out:  “Turpin was the selling (buyers’) agent when the builder sold to the first owners, then the listing agent when this house sold to the second owner, and the selling agent again when the current (third) buyer bought it. Turpin has been involved with every sale of this home.”

Alaina, now the manager of the Mendham office, remembers some of the features from her 2007 sale, “This is a very striking home with an unparalleled finished walkout lower level.  It also has a beautiful pool and pool house.”  The buyers used Turpin to sell their existing Chester home and purchase this one in Mendham, and Alaina reports that they are very happy Turpin buyers and sellers.

Set high on a hilltop to take in stunning panoramic views, the custom home was designed to replicate an English country manor.  It is situated amid over five professionally landscaped acres with stone wall, lush green lawns and extensive gardens. 

The 16-room interior offers six bedrooms, eight full baths and a powder room.  There is a suite on the main floor for staff as well as a master suite for the owners.

As Alaina pointed out, the lower level is majestically appointed with numerous amenities such as a luxurious home theater with surround sound and adjoining cigar room, a temperature controlled wine cellar, a mirrored exercise room, conference room, pub-style club room with large wet bar and a snack kitchen.

Outside, the luxurious pool complex has an oversized heated pool, separate hot tub spa, and a guest house featuring a firelit living room, kitchen, full bath and window walled bedroom adjoining a private patio.

A New Listing at The Polo Club in Far Hills

With all the snowfall we’ve seen this winter, the thought of trading a snow shovel for a good book next to the fireplace is an appealing one.  Residents of The Polo Club in Far Hills are among those who don’t have to worry about snow shoveling or other seasonal chores.  They enjoy full maintenance of the common areas in this quiet yet convenient enclave that’s walking distance to the Far Hills train station.  A new listing at The Polo Club invites a carefree lifestyle in an appealing townhome setting.

The Kensington model currently listed by Turpin features an open floor plan with two bedrooms, two full baths and a powder room.  Interior highlights include a fireplace in the living room; cathedral ceilings in the living room, dining room and master bedroom; hardwood flooring and an attached one-car garage with automatic opener.

A partially finished lower level offers a large family room with built-ins, and a home office is another amenity.  This attractive, well-planned community was built in 1995 and includes a jogging/biking path.  Home seekers who are drawn to exceptionally stylish residences will find the Polo Club to be a wonderful choice in Far Hills real estate.

In addition to selling the illustrious Appletrees estate in 2004, Turpin Real Estate handled the sale a second time in 2008, this time without the estate’s guest cottage.

Listing agent, Molly Tonero recalls that “The most memorable part of the second sale of Appletrees was when I was contacted by a New York scout looking for a mansion to be used as a setting for the holiday show on ‘Entertainment Tonight.’ I showed them three, but Appletrees was the best, and for a full week in November they decorated, undecorated and re-decorated; the house quite literally became a television set. With the owners already in California, the house and grounds became my full responsibility and I lived there for a week. It was one of the most unusual times in my career…Olivia Newton John was on the show as was Rachael Ray.”

The former estate of Ramsay and Martha Turnbull, Appletrees remained in family ownership for nearly 100 years.  Ramsay Turnbull was an early resident of Bernardsville who helped establish the Road and Improvement Society of Mine Mount for road improvements on Bernardsville Mountain.  He also was involved in a campaign to establish Bernardsville Borough as a distinct entity from Bernardsville Township, an achievement that occurred after nearly 20 years in 1924.

Ramsay Turnbull died in 1924, and his wife remained at Appletrees until her death in 1957 at the age of 94.  The estate was subsequently occupied by the Turnbull’s daughter, Helen, and her husband, Philip P. Gardiner.  Helen Turnbull Gardiner was born in 1893 at Appletrees, and died there in 1990 at the age of 97.  It was only then that the house was transferred from the family that had built it in 1893.

Like many other historic Bernardsville homes for sale, the former residents of Appletrees have a compelling story to tell.  For more information about Appletrees, see New Jersey Country Houses: The Somerset Hills, Volume 1, by John K. Turpin and W. Barry Thomson.

Welcome to The Manor Section of Chatham Borough

Many of our homebuyers relocate here from larger cities in New Jersey like Hoboken or Jersey City, and quite a few come from Manhattan, Brooklyn or one of the other five boroughs in New York City.  These buyers may find it hard to completely give up on the city conveniences they can walk to, such as restaurants, public transportation and shopping.  We often show this group of buyers a charming neighborhood in Chatham Borough known as the Manor section. 

The Manor section has the safety and space that urban buyers seek along with a more metropolitan atmosphere than some of the surrounding suburbs.  Residents here can walk to the center of Chatham’s charming village from the leafy streets that are lined with well-tended single-family homes.  Parents are often seen walking with their children to Milton Elementary School and Chatham Middle School from the Manor section. 

Home styles here vary, although many were originally built in the 1930s and 40s using predominantly Colonial architecture.  Today most of these vintage homes have been expanded, modified and updated.

From the Manor section there is access to New Jersey Transit’s popular Midtown Direct service at the Chatham train station.  Midtown Direct offers a one-seat ride to Manhattan, or passengers can switch to go to Newark or Jersey City.  Also nearby are three major hospitals in Summit, Morristown and Livingston.

Chatham homes for sale in the Manor section come in a range of sizes, styles and price ranges.  Visit our Chatham Office at 186 Main Street for more information about the Manor section or any of the other wonderful neighborhoods in the area.