Photography by AK Photo / Al Kruper
Sal and Debbie Cannizzaro met more than 35 years ago while still in high school. Sal remembers, with a smile, meeting Debbie at A&L Pizza (a favorite hangout) located on 18th avenue and 61st street in their native Brooklyn, New York. They were married six years later and will be celebrating their 29th anniversary in October. Both are of Italian decent; Sal is a first generation American and speaks fluent Sicilian. He still has many relatives in the “Old Country” and enjoys visiting them on family trips to both Sicily and Italy.
Sal showed a keen interest and talent for arts and graphics at an early age. He studied graphic arts design and worked in the printing industry for a number of years until, in 1984, he started his own business called Innovative Folding Carton Co., based in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The business grew into a major supplier of finely printed, high quality packaging solutions with major clients in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.
The Cannizzaros started to build a family not long after Sal began to build his new business. Their son was born in 1985 and daughter in 1987. The family needing a larger home for their growing number, moved to Holmdel in 1990 where they stayed for the next 17 years. Sal sold Innovative Folding Carton Co. in 1998 and with a well developed passion for architecture and creative construction methods, he started a new company called SFC Enterprises, Inc. a design and construction company dedicated to quality, expert craftsmanship and personal service.
Sal has had a passion for the ocean and water as far back as he can remember. This passion may have found a home in Sal’s heart fishing from the shoreline of Gravesend Bay in Brooklyn as a child. He also recalls, with a chuckle, building his first fish tank at the age of 10, which may have been an early inspiration for the 15,000 gallon oceanic aquarium now featured prominently in the Cannizzaros’ new family dream home. His passion for the water, fishing and boating made a waterfront home seem inevitable when the time was right and the time seemed to be just about right.
In 2002, Sal purchased a three acre parcel on the Navesink River in Locust to plan his dream project. The older home, located on the site, was removed in its entirety and all the soils, pools, cabana, and earth replaced. Sal teamed up with Architect Robert W. Adler of West Long Branch to start the design process which would take a year to plan and three and a half years to lovingly and meticulously construct. The end result is a home inspired by the Mediterranean Villas of Tuscany with state of the art systems throughout. The finished home is 16,000 square feet and glows with the passion for design and craftsmanship that have been so much a part of Sal’s creative personality since he started drawing as a child. In fact, Sal served as General Contractor under SFC Enterprises, Inc. company of professionals. He and the company staffed the construction manager, project manager, and laborers as well as hired and negotiated with the subcontractors to complete the entire house and site.
Sal is quick to point out that the true inspiration behind all that he does is his family. The love and pride he has for his wife and children are what inspire him to do his most creative work. The Cannizzaros moved into Villa Paradiso (the name given to the estate by the Cannizzaro family), in 2007 and could not be more thrilled living on the Navesink River and sharing their new home with family and friends whenever possible.
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These dramatic and elegant photos of the exterior details of the Cannizzaro waterfront estate illustrate the meticulous and classical design elements that, when combined, and executed to the highest of standards, create a home that expresses a truly inspired vision. Sal fixated on the exterior color to use on the stucco finish of Villa Paradiso to such an extent that after six months of trying - and finally facing a delay in construction - he forced himself to confront the problem with over 30 cans of paint in front of him on a table. He then, with the spirit of an Italian Renaissance Painter combined the pigments to come up with just the right combination.The result is a timeless color that is unique yet complimentary to the overall architectural design.
The beautiful views from almost any spot on the Cannizzaro property envelop you as cool breezes swirl off the Navesink River.The landscape design is formal yet has a natural feel which compliments the naturalistic setting of the home quite well. Sal takes a lot of pride in the flowering gardens and urn gardens, happily tending to most of them himself. The Cannizzaro home features three full outdoor kitchens for barbeques including a professional Pizza Oven and outdoor entertaining as well as a magnificent built in pool surrounded by a patio space made from Jerusalem stone imported directly from Israel.
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Above: Upon entering the Cannizzaro estate the interior literally blooms before your eyes like a well tended rose. Debbie and Sal worked together along with their decorator Marcia Caruselle on the color design and furniture purchases for the homes interior. Sal says that Debbie is a good “voice of reason” when his unbridled enthusiasm begins to get the best of him. Natural materials and woods such as mahogany, cherry and other exotics find an elegant and artful use in the overall plan. The coffered ceilings add enormous architectural interest and the custom mahogany arch top windows and doors also create a dramatic and classic frame for the magnificent views of the patio, pool and Navesink’s natural beauty.
Left: The Cannizzaro family room features plush custom seating, architectural details such as beamed ceilings and a rich color palette to complement the ravishing Navesink River views just a step away. The ornately carved chess set is a work of art in itself and awaits the most accomplished players or just those who like a game of strategy.
Right: The kitchen is a natural gathering place for any family, but when it comes to cooking an Italian meal for a large number of guests, Sal takes over the culinary chores. He says he cooks “big” and loves to share a good meal with friends and family. He still makes his sauce from fresh Jersey tomato’s with his mom and makes good use of the space and layout of the well appointed kitchen to produce his classical repertoire of dishes. Debbie cooks for smaller groups and everyday family meals as well as enjoys creating fresh vegetable dishes for the family.
Below: The Cannizzaros’ master bedroom is more than just a place to sleep. The master bath features custom murals and custom tile work from Italy, with solid marble walls in the shower that frame a deep sunken soaking tub for a luxurious, soothing bath. The fully appointed closet and interior organization details in the master bedroom’s walk in closets, as well as in all the closets throughout the house, have been designed and installed by Closettec. The king size bed has a unique feature that allows the flat screen T.V. to be stored in the foot board of the bed until needed for viewing. The color palette is warm and inviting, featuring greens accented by gold tones and touches of burgundy.
Above: The Cannizzaros’ lower level features many unique and masterfully finished details to delight the senses. The ancient and intricate groin vaulted ceiling in the main hall employs a design first exploited in ancient Rome thousands of years ago and exquisitely realized in the Cannizzaros’ modern architectural masterpiece. Navesink Estate Homes, LLC - a division of SFC Enterprises - was responsible for the construction of Villa Paradiso.
The home’s wine cellar is more like a fully appointed tasting room, including a gourmet kitchen designed by A.W. Eurostile of Shrewsbury and a 1,500 bottle collection of wine kept at optimum temperature and humidity for the ultimate wine drinking experience. The classic terra cotta reclaimed tile floor comes from Spain and the Italian tile in the shower and kitchen are examples of the international materials found in this home. Sal even makes his own wine here!
Sides: The artistically designed tile installation found in the lower level kitchen and shower enclosure were created by A.W. Eurostile.
Below: Sal’s 15,000 gallon aquarium is a source of great pride and joy for the avid sport fisherman and lover of all things with fins. The tank actually holds 15,000 gallons of sea water while an entire room maintains an additional 5,000 gallon purification and filtration system. The water temperature is maintained at a constant 65 degrees and the tank includes a number of striped bass over the 30lb mark as well as other native fish species. The moray eel is shy, until feeding time, when Sal enjoys giving a little sashimi to his prized pets. The backroom contains a tropical fish tank as well as a native fresh water tank featuring native pond and lake species fish. The large tank requires a diver to periodically enter it to help maintain the health and cleanliness of the underwater environment, for the health of the fish and the enjoyment of those lucky enough to visit Sal’s private watery paradise.
