- Around Town
- Around Town - September-October 2011
- Around Town - New Hope Receives FIDELIS Charitable Foundation Gift
- Our Pick - theWforum
- Ask The Experts
- Ask The Expert - Beth Thomas-Edwards
- Company Profile - Shrewsbury Vascular & General Surgery Associates
- Ask The Expert - Rudolf C. Thompson, M.D., F.A.C.S.
- Bay Wellness
- Bay Wellness - Health After Menopause
- Bay Wellness - Genital Warts
- Bay Wellness - How Can An Ultrasound Help?
- Buyers Guide 2011-2012
- Buyers Guide 2011-12 - Allure Plastic Surgery Center
- Buyers Guide 2011-12 - Federico’s Landscape Design
- Buyers Guide 2011-12 - Physicians For Alternative Medicine
- Daytripper
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex
- Day Tripper - USMA at West Point
- Day Tripper - Yogi Berra Museum
- Featured Artist
- Featured Artist - Leah Passafiume
- Featured Artist - José Serrano
- Featured Artist - Tim Dorland: A Glass Act
- Gift Guide
- Gift Guide - Lincroft Kitchen & Bath
- Gift Guide - Addison Park
- Gift Guide - Appliance Brokers Ltd.
- Health, Wellness & Beauty
- Health - Associated Pain Specialists
- Health - Atlantic Medical Imaging
- Health - Professional Behavioral Center of New Jersey, P.A.
- Newsletter Articles
- Four Seasons® Sunrooms & Windows
- SnowBird Style: Jeff and Mary Schulsinger
- JOHN DIAS ANNOUNCED AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF TWO RIVER THEATER CO.
- Our Picks
- Our Pick - Butch’s Lube N Wash
- Our Pick: Ultimate Backyard Spas ’N More
- Company Profile - Distinctive Pools Inc.
- People On The Move
- People On The Move - Michael Patrick
- People On The Move - Dr. Tricia Gilbert
- People On The Move - Barbara Hilliard
- The Bay
- The Bay - One Stop Women’s Health
- The Bay - A Body In Motion
- The Bay - $1 Million Emergency Department Expansion Opens
Holly Hill
11/01/2011 - By A.J. Perna
Photography by AK Photo / Al Kruper
Holly Hill
An Historic Estate Becomes a Designer Show House
For five weeks this past spring, Holly Hill Estate was transformed into the third Stately Homes by- the-Sea Designer Show House, benefiting the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey. Founded in 1912, VNACJ is the largest voluntary, non-profit home care agency in New Jersey serving more than 125,000 individuals each year. Thousands of visitors toured Holly Hill during the event. Resting on a hilltop overlooking the Navesink River and Atlantic Ocean, this historic estate is home to one of the most beautiful water views in New Jersey. Holly Hill is said to be the last of the country estates constructed on Navesink River Road in the Locust area of Middletown Township.
Built in 1934 by New Jersey state senator and superior court Judge Thomas Brown, the 12-acre property includes dozens of specimen holly trees, from where Holly Hill gets its name. They were cultivated by Judge Brown, who worked closely with the Rutgers University arboretum and was an amateur horticulturist. To take part in the country’s recovery from the Great Depression, Judge Brown hired local craftsmen to build Holly Hill utilizing local materials whenever possible, such as peanut stone and cedar taken directly from the property. Terraces were constructed from 1800s- era brownstone, which was salvaged from area railroad bridges.
The 30-room Georgian-style mansion is constructed with handmade brick and still has many of its original architectural features, including the African walnut grand staircase, a cherry wood-paneled library, the “Aladdin Lamp” staircase between the second floor and the sun roof, a roof dome covered in antique Brittany tiles, and pressed copper gutters.
For the recent benefit, more than 35 hand-picked, world class interior designers, decorators and landscape artists spent months transforming this Monmouth County jewel into a home that reflected the history and rural surroundings of the estate while incorporating the contemporary elements of modern living into the historic architecture. Attendees of the Show House were not only treated to the artistry and innovation of the designers, but were also able to tour a chapter of local history and learn a bit about the lifestyle of a different era. Each of the 30 rooms provided visitors with a unique experience, covering a vast array of design styles. In addition to the main house, guests were also treated to stunning transformations to the pool house, the extensive gardens, a formal rose garden and a budding vegetable garden.
The Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey will celebrate 100 years of service in 2012 - For more information about VNACJ and its programs, please visit www.vnacj.org.
Visitors to this year’s show house at Holly Hill were shuttled from the parking area by trolley up the circular drive and dropped off right at the mansion’s more recently added front portico. The arched doorway of the portico mirrors the front door, leading to the African walnut grand staircase through the two-story foyer, where the walls were covered with custom printed floral, bird, and vine wallpaper.
Outside, the participating landscape designers worked their magic by combining classic details with a few unconventional materials and exotic plantings. A relaxing outdoor garden room was tucked under the “Aladdin Stairs” and a Woodland Gazebo, set among the historic holly trees, provided a pleasurable retreat for guests.
Manalapan’s Kitchens by Torrone helped transform the existing long, narrow kitchen into a culinary dream by installing a combination of deep rich woods and white cabinetry that play perfect contrast to the brick walls, top of the line stainless steel appliances, and gleaming “basketweave” backsplash tiles.
The addition of a touch of gold handpainting to the deep scalloped crown moulding was the inspiration behind the Moroccan dining room. Here, colorful and luxurious fabrics and textures drape on and around the circular table, surrounded by rattan chairs with custom, patterned cushions.
With 30 rooms in all, there seemed to be a different bedroom to explore around every corner - each more interestingly appointed than the next. Whether subtle and soothing or big and bold, no room was ever short on character or style, and all together, offered something to please everyone in attendance.
In the basement, grey wood panels were installed to compliment the existing peanut stone fireplace wall. An elegant recreation area was achieved with a grey felt top billiards table and seating area with a custom back-to-back couch.
Bathrooms were a highlight of the tour, covering a wide array of styles from a full, mirrored bath with a step- up marble tub and plush violet and lavender fabrics, to a whimsical “doggie” themed lavatory.
In this designer show house, no area was off limits and no room was left untransformed. Most designers tackled more traditional rooms, while others put their unique stamp on a nursery, the laundry room, linen and children’s hall closets as well as the kitchen pantry.
Advertisers
Powered by eDirectory™