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A Labor of Love - The Salems
08/30/2011 - By A.J. Perna
Photography by AK Photo / Al Kruper
The Salems overhaul… room by room
Back in 2002, Manhattanites, Steve & Jamie Salem had never even heard of Marlboro, New Jersey. All they knew for sure was that they were about to start a family and were looking to move from the city to a more suburban area. The Salems were considering Long Island and Westchester as well as areas in New Jersey. It wasn’t until a phone call from Steve’s mother, who lives in Deal, recommending that they take a look into all of the new construction going on in Marlboro that they were set on a path to their new home.
Immediately, Jamie took to the Internet to research the town. Soon after, she was e-mailing and calling builders and developers, looking for just the right spot – preferably on a cul-de-sac. Some investigating took the family to the burgeoning Kensington Gate community in Marlboro. There, they were able to choose their lot and one of the pre-designed models of homes. The Salems were thrilled with the “bones” of the model that they chose, and were content on sticking with the standard offerings that came with the home – knowing that their plan would be to totally custom renovate later on.
“Later on” arrived in early 2010 for the Salems. By this time, their two children were in school and they had fully settled into a nice life in Marlboro; there was nothing deterring them from following through on the original plan. Steve and Jamie enlisted the services of custom home builder John Kling of Colts Neck to work side-by-side with them on their dream renovation, a room by room remodeling.
When asked how she would like her renovated home to look and feel, Jamie responded with, “like every beautiful hotel suite you’ve ever seen – I want it to feel like we are on vacation every day!” From that point on, they went about with the daunting task of tearing each room down to its bones and building it back up, bigger and better.
The end result of all of their planning and hard work has paid off for the Salems in spades. They have happily endured living in a constant state of transition as their home was transformed, bit by bit, into a wonderful vacation-like paradise – right in Monmouth County! Now, Jamie doesn’t even feel like going away on vacation, since her home is nicer than anyplace that she might think to visit.
The dining room has a bit of an Italian-inspired flair to it, with floral designs on the walls, natural upholstered chairs and a sleek, simple table.
Jamie’s favorite part of the house, by far, is the custom walk-in closet and dressing area. This is no modular shelving unit – this room was months in the making with two marble-topped islands and a luxurious built-in window seat at the far end.
The beams that run along the ceiling in the sunroom/office area were custom designed to echo the lines of the room and the curve of the existing window.
The Salem’s master suite is the epitome of the high-end hotel suite feel that Jamie wanted, with a larger-than-life four post bed, a three-sided gas fireplace, a classic claw-foot soaking tub and amazing walk-in shower in the master bath. Steps away are French doors leading to plush outdoor seating, on a raised balcony overlooking the back yard.
The backyard has been transformed into an oasis, anchored by a free-form swimming pool and spa by Distinctive Pools of Morganville. The highlight here is the custom outdoor entertainment area, with columns, ceiling fan, high-cushioned seating with storage and cup holders, as well as a flat-screen TV mounted to the outside wall. To keep everything water-proof and safe from the elements, builder John Kling employed the help of sail makers and boat companies to outfit the entire area, from furniture covers to curtains and draperies. It makes a splendid setting for the Salem’s outdoor summer enjoyment.
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