Victorian Sunshine

Classic sophistication with a cheerful vibe in a cul-de-sac neighborhood

*This property is listed by Benny “Kevin” Yento with Coldwell Banker in Bedminster, NJ. He can be reached on (908) 334-4586 or by email benny.yento@coldwellbankermoves.com.*

Bridgewater, NJ--As glorious as a sunrise over a gently rolling hill, this modern day classic takes a fresh approach to Victorian design.

Sophistication sets the perfect tone for formal occasions, while the storybook façade with a wraparound porch, assorted rooflines and two-story turret, makes it equally inviting as a warm and relaxing place to call home.

It is one of a dozen stunning residences dotting a cul-de-sac neighborhood, each differing in variations on traditional styles. What they have in common is generous lots with lavish, well-manicured landscaping. The cumulative effect is nature at its finest, brimming in springtime with colorful blooms, mature shrubbery and tall leafy trees.

Spacious Flowing Rooms

Beyond the double front doors, entertaining a houseful of guests can be effortless. Spacious rooms with high ceilings flow easily, one to the next, and attention to detail is a hallmark at every turn.

The grand center hall is adorned by tile flooring and offers a peak into the formal dining room, where wainscoting lines the walls. The adjoining butler’s pantry is fitted with a full-sized wine refrigerator and ample built-in storage for china, silver and stemware.

Exquisite cabinetry sets off the thoughtfully designed kitchen, complimented by a paneled Sub-Zero refrigerator and twin dishwashers that come in handy for parties and large, active families. The pot-filler spigot over the stove is a welcomed time-saver, as are the custom refrigerated snack drawers built into the head of a granite island—ideal placement for grabbing a quick after school treat or indulging a midnight craving.

Five Full Bedroom Suites

Options are many for a special room on the main level with an en suite, large closet and exterior door leading to the wraparound porch. Designate it as a guest suite, nanny quarters or home office.

When life’s hectic pace becomes overwhelming, it might even be labeled the “I need my private time, so don’t bother me now” room.

Four bedrooms on the second level each have an en suite with well-appointed fixtures, generous closets and stylish ceiling fans with built-in lighting.

The master suite is superb with expansive space and high peaked ceilings. Throughout the day, natural light can flow from eastern, southern and western exposures. Multiple rooms include a luxurious bathroom nicknamed “Heaven” with separate shower, tub, toilet and bidet, along with a dressing area and two walk-in closets. As a bonus room, a pleasant nook in the turret can be used for a private gym, nursery, hobby room, or perhaps for peaceful meditation.

Finished Lower Level

Glistening hardwood floors are prevalent throughout the home. An exception is on the lower level where high grade carpeting adds softness with durability to the finished space. For sports fans and movie lovers the padded floor does double-duty by providing the right acoustics for high-volume TV viewing. A separate playroom adjoins the main living area, along with a large storage room.

Efficient Touches

In the spirit of form following function, efficiency always enhances impeccable design. With a flip of a switch, chandeliers can be lowered for easy maintenance and cleaning. Flip another for the gas fireplace in the family room and ignite a pleasant ambiance for intimate gatherings. A second gas fireplace awaits in the master to warm up cool nights.

No detail is too minor to be overlooked. Even the smooth running of plumbing has been well-planned out with every fixture in the house meticulous labeled and controlled by a master panel. When it comes to thoughtful details, this stylish home checks all the boxes.

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Natirar: A Royal Walk in the Park

The King of Morocco once owned Natirar, now a Somerset County Park

Entrance to Natirar, part of the Somerset County Park Commission

Everyone loves a park, a treasured public space designed for ball games, fireworks and exploring nature. But when is a park more than a park?

When your horse is allowed to trot freely on the grounds.
When a sign warns bicycles and people must yield to horses.
When dog walkers outnumber walkers without dogs.
When the King of Morocco once owned the country estate at the crest of the mountain, but never once stepped foot in it.

The correct answer is all of the above.

What's in a Name?

The curious experience of Natirar begins with its curious name. While many New Jersey towns and places have borrowed words from Native Americans, Natirar is not one of them. Instead, the name was derived from the Raritan River, which traverses the property, only the spelling is reversed to spell N-a-t-i-r-a-r.

This unusual naming convention was employed by the original owners of Natirar, Kate Macy Ladd and Walter Graeme Ladd. Before moving to the Somerset Hills, they had christened their Bar Harbor home "Eegonos," the opposite spelling of "Sonogee."

The couple later commissioned the same architect, Guy Lowell, noted for designing landmark buildings in New York and Boston, to construct a 30,000 square-foot country estate in central New Jersey on what was then 1,000 acres straddling Bedminster, Far Hills and Peapack-Gladstone. R ead Story..

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