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Award-Winning Country Estate
11/01/2007 - By By Michael Berman • Photography by Al Kruper
The Irwins classic farmhouse-inspired colonial home
A place the Irwins call their classic farmhouse-inspired colonial home
The Irwins of Colts Neck have western roots, but after more than a decade of Colts Neck living they are proud to call New Jersey home. Kim Irwin is a native Texan with a passion for horses that she has happily brought with her to Colts Neck. John is a native Californian and met Kim in the garment industry after Kim had relocated to California upon graduating from fashion design school. The move to the east coast was precipitated by John’s purchase of a specialty fabric manufacturing company in New York City. John’s cousin (in Brooklyn) recommended Colts Neck as a great place to relocate if they wanted to bring their horses with them. The happy couple found a farm here to call home and in which to raise their two children. After 10 years on the farm Kim was ready to downsize, while John didn’t really want to make a change; however, he agreed to support the move if they could find just the right house in Colts Neck. Kim had been driving by the Forefront Homes builders’ “spec” homes for a number of months and liked what she saw. This award-winning home building company is owned by Roger Mumford and Mark McCabe and is known for quality workmanship and meticulous design work. Though the house was not yet on the market, Kim was granted a showing. When the house was near completion they went for a walkthrough, and although he said very little at that time, on the short ride home to the farm John enthusiastically declared that this was the house for them. The Irwins have lived in their new house for just over a year and now board their two horses. Kim still enjoys riding cutting horses and competing in barrel racing and competitions that feature this special, very responsive type of horse. The furniture they brought with them from the farm fit perfectly in their new home, and they were thrilled with how all the details and color choices (made by Forefront) brought it all together. They have added approximately 1,000 square feet of matching patio space to the backyard, including an outdoor fireplace (used frequently to roast marshmallows and s’mores!), and installed a large hot tub. Kim and John are now looking forward to landscaping the backyard and creating a private oasis for family and friends to enjoy. Picture Notes: Attention to detail is a hallmark of Forefront Homes’ construction and is what appealed so strongly to Kim and John. The design is a classic farmhouse colonial, accentuating balance and proportion. The construction methods are solid, combining natural materials with low maintenance options where appropriate. The shutter hold-back hinges are a good example of a detail that adds to the vintage feel of this grand home. The dormers, a classic architectural feature, add natural light to the second floor interior spaces. A small cupola with horse atop a weathervane is a charming accent to the roofline of this Colts Neck classic. Many of the custom details visible in these photos are part of the original construction plan. The coffered ceilings, fieldstone fireplace, and Rumford-style firebox are all signatures of the builder’s construction practices. The reclaimed hand-hewn beam above the firebox was salvaged from a Pennsylvania barn and now forms the mantel. Kim explained that Rumford fireplaces are shallow and tall in design to throw a lot of heat into the room instead of up into the flue, making them very heat-efficient. The furnishings fit like a glove, helping the Irwins' smooth transition from their previous home. Working with a designer, Kim designed a custom wrought-iron light fixture to illuminate her long farmhouse-style dining room table. The tall, multiple drawer piece in the corner is an antique wine storage cabinet. The Irwins' kitchen features a Wolf stove, Sub-Zero refrigerator, and double dishwashers to handle the clean-up after entertaining large numbers of guests. The colors used throughout are mostly historic and were chosen by Forefront. Kim and John found their color choices to be warm and inviting and have decided not to change a thing. Natural light streams in through large windows over the sink and in the breakfast area. The master bedroom is spacious and bright. The vaulted ceilings add volume to the room, while the dormer openings allow natural light into the spacious interior. The bedroom features a much-used, double-sided, gas-fired fireplace and sitting area, with built-ins and media center. Kim finds this area most restful and enjoys the warmth of the fireplace on cold winter nights. The master bath is a class act and features a large, oval, pedestal-style soaking tub center stage. The double paneled doors leading into the master bath feature oil-rubbed bronzed-finished hardware (used throughout the home) and solid wood construction. The large window above the tub sets the room aglow and highlights the polished lattice marble motif used on the tile floor. The chandelier matches the hardware finish. Solid construction, well-thought-out spaces, and attention to the most seemingly insignificant of details are what set this home apart.
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