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To the hundreds of attendees who joined us on the 2017 tour, we were so happy to see you. All of our work would mean nothing without you. We are humbled by the praise you gave us in person, by email and on the comment cards. Your smiles and congratulations warmed our hearts.
To the six families who opened their doors to us on the 2017 tour, you were a pleasure to work with . And we really can't thank you enough for the time you spent getting your houses just perfect (and then leaving for the whole day!). Your passion for your families' homes showed through. To Sr. Maureen Fichner and the administration and staff of Holy Trinity School, we are very thankful for your loving support of this fund raising effort, year after year . To all our talented chefs and bakers, the praise for your cuisine continued all day. To our florists, we heard many compliments and "oh, wow's". To our contractors and other sponsors, we heard many great conversations about your talent and the beautiful results of your efforts. And to our donors and advertisers, your support for our efforts is immensely appreciated. See you in 2018! We will work hard to top it!  "When you really want it to be beautiful". This Anthony James Construction house was a very personal project, as it was his own home. The 1890s Victorian was renovated by Anthony, with the interior designed by his wife Debbie in 2015. The adjacent homes were renovated by Anthony as well, making the street a standout .
On the outside, you notice the stand-seamed galvanized roof, which resurrects a trend from the late 1800's. The home comes to life upon entering. The untreated, reclaimed hardwood floors show the natural beauty of the wood. To the right, a secret door leads to a separate multigenerational family apartment with its own unique features. In the front foyer, a built-in china cabinet is reminiscent of an earlier time. Passing the elevator with original details such as a steel-cage scissor door, brass and old style tile, you enter the heart of the home. The industrial farmhouse kitchen is all about cooking, entertaining and relaxing in style. With its reclaimed wood beams, vintage soapstone, Carrera marble island and the painted brick facade, you would never know this was an addition to the home. A cozy cookbook reading corner and a mahogany and brass bar (based on one in Bouchon's restaurant of Napa) flank the corners. The family room was built to resemble an enclosed porch and has views of the salt water lap pool heated with solar panels and has horn beams for privacy. The upstairs includes a master suite, outdoor shower and a lush roof garden above the porte-cochere. The fit and finish is another example of the attention to detail, historic preservation and quality craftsmanship Anthony James construction has demonstrated for more than 30 years.  When this family set about renovating their house in 2016, it involved more than simply enlarging the house. They reconfigured the interior of the home, which was built in the 1950s, and reclaimed space in the backyard to accommodate the addition.
With the help of Jim Peterson from Galaxy Building Contractors, the family moved the dining room from the back of the house to the front and the kitchen from the front of the house to the back in order to take advantage of the increased light and space of the addition. In order to make the addition a reality, a swimming pool was filled in and the new kitchen was extended over this reclaimed space. The kitchen features quartzite countertops and connects to an outside kitchen area that also takes advantage of the reclaimed yard space. After the pool was filled in, the Valluzzi Group completely redesigned the backyard. This space, with its outdoor kitchen area, is the Panzas’ favorite part of the renovation.  This classic two-story was built in 2014. The homeowner purchased the newly constructed home with a specific design concept in mind, which he has been implementing for the past two years. As he continues the renovation of this home, his primary goal is to create comfortable living spaces that are both contemporary and rustic and complemented by interesting furnishings that are warm, inviting and functional.
Walking into the house, you feel right at home. The foyer’s unique textures, fixtures and furnishings set the design tone that continues throughout home. A sleek formal dining room with lively blue dining chairs is a perfect first impression. Behind the custom sliding barn doors is a wine room which was converted from an oversized pantry. Adjacent to the wine room is the butler’s pantry. Together these rooms create a usable pass-through space that becomes a natural gathering area when entertaining guests. On the opposite side of the house, a front gallery room provides a casual space for reading, chatting and relaxing. On the south side of the house, a custom white-washed beadboard ceiling flows from one end of the home to the other, enhancing the elegant, open kitchen and family room design. The kitchen mixes light and dark cabinetry with granite countertops, and the pendant lights above the center island are in keeping with the cool design of the home. The homeowner took advantage of the large family room by relocating the gas fireplace between two sets of French doors. The large, beautiful hearth now invites gathering. The upper barn door cabinet reveals a hidden entertainment center. On the wall opposite the fireplace is a reading nook with a cozy built-in couch. This entire wall is finished with reclaimed wood to create a truly unique accent feature. The homeowner utilized this same reclaimed wood in a number of places throughout the home to create balance and a consistent design. There is also a private and cozy first floor guest bedroom with its own stylish en suite bathroom. The entire first floor has been furnished with a modern farmhouse vibe. Unique, custom and one-of-a-kind pieces abound. The large French doors at the rear of the house lead out to a classic bluestone patio that anchors an outdoor wood and gas burning firepit and chef’s BBQ station – all designed by the homeowner and constructed by Harol Landscaping, LLC. Beyond the patio is an expansive green space with lovely trees and plantings along its entire perimeter that create a laid-back and private ambiance. Wherever you are in this smart home, the quality and decor can be compared to a work of art.  To step into this house is to step back in time. The house was built in 1872. It was originally designed in the Italianate style. It has undergone a number of renovations during its long life.
The current owners undertook a major renovation beginning in 2016 and finishing early this year. Under the direction of architect Hildie Lazar, Lazar Architecture, LLC and remodeler David Hagan, KCH Contracting, LLC, the house was enlarged to include a large modern kitchen, a family room, a playroom with built in storage, an office with deep paneling, and a mudroom with three closets and built-in seating. In addition, the front porch was extended and a metal roof added to enhance the farmhouse style. Upon entering the main foyer, one can look down the 26-foot-long hallway directly into the addition. The foyer also includes an etched glass window that was added during a renovation in the early 1900s. The new kitchen includes Shaker-style cabinetry from Crown Point Cabinets. The countertops are a combination of quartzite and butcher block. The dining area of the kitchen features a brick wood-burning fireplace (one of four in the house), which is the homeowners’ favorite feature. The pantry/prep area is outfitted with wood cabinetry that rises up to the 10-foot ceiling. (The last sentence here I deleted because I incorporated it in the paragraph that is in red). Wherever possible, features of the original house were repurposed for use in the renovation. The pantry door is constructed from wood that was reclaimed from the original home. The fireplace in the family room has a mantle fashioned from reclaimed wood. The original twin front doors with beveled glass windows were stripped and repainted. New details were chosen to blend in with those found in the original house, including the wide-plank oak floors, the crown molding and the window casings. The open staircase that rises to the 3rd floor was recreated to match the original finish. On the exterior of the house, details from the Greek Revival period, like the deep windows, were retained. Exterior details on the addition, including the siding and window trim, were selected to blend seamlessly with the originals.  This enchanting Victorian was completely renovated, including a 1,500-square-foot addition, in 2016. The homeowner was looking for a new family home in her Westfield neighborhood, when she coincidentally became aware of an opportunity to purchase this vintage house she had rented (during a previous renovation on another house). The restoration of this house was a team effort among the homeowner, builder, architect and designer. Anyone passing by this house will notice the unique moldings, charming windows, and large front porch. The craftsmanship seen on the exterior of the house continues throughout the interior.
Walking into the foyer, you will be delighted by the exquisite details. To the left is the formal dining room and to the right, the formal sitting room. The furniture and decorations come together for an eclectic, yet elegant first impression of the home. It is no surprise that the homeowner was focused on a design combining color, charm and family history. The continuous hardwood floors make for a smooth transition to the back of the house, passing a formal powder room, right into the spacious, multi-functional kitchen. From the breakfast room to the home office to the oversized island: It is the family's resting place. It's most unique characteristic is that it is green. From the cabinets to the Subzero to the light fixtures to the many decorative pieces, this kitchen was almost entirely outfitted with “re-purposed” materials from Green Demolition / Renovation Angel in Fairfield, NJ. Only the countertops, backsplash, and cooking appliances are new. The homeowner is extremely proud to have a green kitchen, and was surprised how custom and beautiful the room turned out. The kitchen remains classic and comfortable with quartzite countertops, creamy cabinets, and mosaic backsplash. Off the kitchen is a cozy family room, which opens to the large wrap-around porch. The family often enjoys the outdoor seating area, fully outfitted with heater, TV, and outdoor speakers. The breakfast room and oversized mudroom have large windows with views of the lush yard. Quality continues in the backyard with simple landscaping, beautiful stonework, and a breezeway to the garage.  On top of a hill, this newly constructed smart home is hard to miss. The house, barely a year old, perfectly balances traditional and craftsman style features on the exterior. The beautiful views of the Watchung Mountains are an added bonus, and rare for Westfield. It stood out from other newly constructed homes, which is why the family fell in love with it. The homeowners wanted to be in the Westfield community and school system, but wanted their new home to evoke their previous residence in Newport Beach, California.
This is noticeable as you walk through the understated two-story entrance, which has a relaxing blue and white color scheme. Both the high ceilings and relaxed color scheme are continued throughout the first floor. The care and attention to detail are evident in every feature of the home, from the elegant moldings to the dark hardwood floors to the large windows. Although the size is impressive, each room feels comfortable and light. The homeowner, who decorated the entire home by herself, was determined to find beautiful, yet practical finishes and furniture. While the floor plan may be traditional, with the formal dining and living spaces in the front of the home, it is certainly not conventional. The design and furniture placement in each room make the spaces seem open and contemporary. This is especially true in the back of the house, which features an oversized family room and kitchen combination. Perfect for entertaining or just spending time together, the homeowners love this open area. The homey kitchen remains contemporary with modern finishes like the black and white quartzite countertops, stainless steel farmhouse sink and white marble backsplash. The backyard, with its large bluestone patio perfect for outdoor events, is a great addition to this house. Like the rest of the home, it feels simple even with a lot of space. The pristine lawn is a great play area for kids. And, of course, you can’t miss with the amazing views. |
