‘Keep Things Sophisticated’

Interior Designer Marissa Stokes aims for designs that are classic and timeless. And says don’t overlook the ceiling.

For designer Marissa Stokes, home has been a variety of places. Home was growing up in New Jersey, where creative parents and a need for change led to an intense love for interior design at a young age. Home was also New York, where she earned a degree from Parsons School of Design and worked her first jobs at elite design firms, including David Kleinberg Design Associates, Victoria Hagan Interiors and Jayne Design Studio. And now as an accomplished designer, home is more than just a place — it’s every threshold she passes, every piece of furniture she chooses, every decision she makes in order to help craft the perfect space for her clients. We spoke with Stokes about her experiences in the industry and how her love of interior design has transformed her career so far.

How do you think living in New York affected your design style and preferences?

You’re just exposed to so many amazing things, being in and around New York City. The architecture alone, having incredible museums at your fingertips. I also went to school in NYC; I think that was an incredible experience, but also had a huge influence on my design aesthetic, just having everything at your fingertips, between different cultures, food, architecture. I feel fortunate to have lived there and so close to there still now. I love New York City.

When was the first time that you ever thought about working in design?

I really have always wanted to be an interior designer from a very young age.… I think it’s because my parents are both very creative people, always doing things to improve our home.… My dad made furniture, we even had a woodshop in our basement. I just had this love for transforming spaces and the process, and I just fell into it very naturally.

Did you learn wood craftsmanship yourself?

Yes! I had all the tools at my fingertips in the shop, and I am still able to use them now, a bandsaw, a tablesaw, et cetera. We also had a sewing machine, so I grew up sewing at a young age — we’d be making window treatments and pillows. I was always transforming my personal space, shifting things around, changing them or painting them. Making them look different. It was just something I always loved to do, and still love it.

A Mediterranean Revival home on the Intracoastal in Palm Beach.

Above photos courtesy of Jayne Design Studio.

When it comes to designing, what is the most important element you have to remember?

Well one thing that tends to be overlooked, I think, is the ceiling. It’s very important to design from top to bottom, to think about ceiling work, a lighting plan, and overall how it’s treated and how it affects the space.

Is there a piece of art in your own home that you would never consider selling?

Everything is here for a reason, so not one specific piece.

It’s always important to surround yourself with things you love, even if it’s a bit eclectic, surround yourself with furniture and art that you love. When you do that, things just kind of work together. There’s no standard.

What do you want people to take away when they look at your work?

I want people to find it classic and timeless, something that could last forever. I don’t want someone to walk into a space and instantly date it. I want the clients to be comfortable in their home for a long time. Keep things sophisticated.

What advice would you give to someone going into design?

Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves, you have to wear a lot of hats in this industry. Maybe start with an internship, but, all in all, do whatever you need to do to learn.

At left: A cozy breakfast room nook with a custom-designed banquette.               Photo by Aaron Thompson.

Above: An outdoor terrace overlooks Dutchess County.                           Photo by Aaron Thompson.

The home features a living room with French doors; an intimate library with a hand-painted mural and marble fireplace; a gourmet kitchen; and a main-floor master bedroom suite with high ceilings and a beautiful marble bath area equipped with a cedar sauna. There are also unsurpassed views of the backyard oasis and it is a true show stopper.  

“The 2,500 square feet of outdoor terraces overlooking the stunning pool and resort-like grounds truly make this home one-of-a-kind,” says DeMarco.

The home, listed for $1.449 million, is in a prime location close to all New York City transportation, local shopping and Jersey Shore beaches.

This stunning Georgian-style estate home in Holmdel, New Jersey is in a private, secluded setting, surrounded by towering trees and lush grounds.

The home overflows with exceptional architectural details — interior elements are accented with beautiful archways, custom ceiling trim and moldings throughout, cherry hardwood floors, walls of windows, and high ceilings — which create an open and airy living space.

This property was featured in the Unique Homes Summer 2020 Edition. Click here to view the issue and Doreen DeMarco’s ad!

The residents of Berkeley Heights, New Jersey are welcoming a new restaurant called Grain & Cane that has been inspired by traditional rice bags and offers a classic but enticing menu. 

The new addition to Berkeley Heights is owned by the Connell family — who at one point was the largest non-governmental rice and sugar distributor in the world. Grain & Cane is the place where you might choose a quiet corner for an intimate evening or a cozy lunch date. It’s also the restaurant that you and your family might want to visit for a special celebration. The atmosphere is a unique combination of comfortable and chic, which makes it suitable for more than one type of occasion. There’s a distinct classic feeling.

The floor-to-ceiling, weathered-looking graffiti draws the mind to traditional rice bags — the inspiration behind the restaurants’ decor. This style even includes using recycled rice bags as stool seat covers and of course some well-known brands and logos.Exposed brick walls and steel columns also draw on the family’s grain storage facilities. Tufted leather seating and custom banquettes are reminiscent of grandfather Grover Connell’s time in Paris, according to the Grain & Cane team. The main focus of the bar is the custom Solari board, which actually serves as the bar. It was once used for posting grain prices on the trading floor. Making this aspect even more special are the rotating specials and inspirational quotes from Connell, such as, “Cheer up, things could be worse. So he cheered up and things did get worse.” There’s also a two-story back bar for guests to enjoy.

The menu has a refreshing variety of choices — without overwhelming guests — and known favorites. Traditional headlines, such as Burgers and Pizza, are splashed across the menu and instantly draw you in. Modern touches and complex flavors mix with classic at Grain & Cane

White, sausage, and margarita seem like standard pizzas, but the sourdough crust is a charming twist. A burger may sound simple, but the falafel burger with hummus and avocado tzatziki and the Scottish salmon with chanterelle mushrooms, roasted potatoes, peas, and crispy prosciutto are just a hint of the surprises on the menu.

Don’t expect the menu to stay the same for too long though. The restaurant has a menu that changes with the seasons and focuses on fresh ingredients from local farms and is peppered with items inspired by the Connell family’s favorite dishes.

Making Grain & Cane truly stand out among tradition is their traveling food truck. According to the Grain & Cane team, the food truck allows the restaurant to park in different areas around town and reach a whole new set of customers and also introducing dishes to new communities.

Photos courtesy of Grain & Cane, by Oleg March 

Pendry Hotels is slated to redesign and reinvigorate one of America’s great country estates in Somerset, NJ, in addition to developing 24 contemporary countryside residences in 2020.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset County, New Jersey, and less than an hour from New York City, the grand, Tudor-style, 33,000-square-foot Natirar Mansion, formerly owned by the late King of Morocco, was originally completed in 1912 as an estate home for heiress Kate Macy Ladd and husband Walter Ladd. Currently consisting of the award-winning Ninety Acres Restaurant & Cooking School, a sustainable farm, the Mansion Ballroom banquet facility, and a private membership club, Pendry Hotels enthusiastically announces the next phase of the Natirar resort development.

The estate will be restored with careful attention to detail and expanded to feature an adjoining hotel with 66 guest rooms and suites, re-emerging as Pendry Natirar in spring of 2020. Pendry Natirar will feature a full-service Spa Pendry including an extensive health & wellness curriculum, fitness center, swimming pool and tennis courts, private membership club, and a variety of classic and unique outdoor activities to be discovered throughout the property—all set among scenic trails and pathways groomed for hiking, biking and horseback riding surrounded by 400 acres of protected land along the north branch of the Raritan River.

“We could not be more honored to be stewards of Natirar,” said Alan J. Fuerstman, founder, chairman and CEO of Montage International. “To be able to take one of the country’s most idyllic country estates and reinvigorate it with new life that makes it accessible to guests, club members and homeowners is an incredible opportunity.”  

Pendry Residences Natirar will bring a bespoke collection of private, whole-ownership Estate and Farm Villa Residences created for luxury, country-style living to the pastoral grounds. Pendry Residences Natirar will give owners their own customized experience, with the ability to immerse themselves in a community focused on sustainable living, wellness and connection to nature.

Set within a private gated enclave named Abby Road, within the 90-acre resort property, the Estate Villa Residences will offer a semi-custom home building experience with abundant living spaces up to 4,000 square feet. With expansive views and options to personalize selections and home configurations, the estates convey the true essence of Natirar living. The Farm Villa Residences, with a working farm as the backdrop, affords the most optimal connection to outdoor living and wellness management with modern design spaces and residential amenities that inspire the ultimate indoor-outdoor experience. Fully integrated into the Natirar 12-acre farm, these modern Farm Villas will provide a unique connection to country living.

“When you think about bringing to Natirar the same quality of lifestyle living experienced at other Montage International residential properties like Laguna Beach, Beverly Hills and Kapalua Bay, to name a few, we are offering a resort residential type of living that doesn’t exist in our area,” said Robert Wojtowicz, Founder & Owner of Natirar.      

Once complete, Pendry Natirar will usher in a new era of the great American country estate—the ideal place for a quick getaway; an extended respite; a romantic escape; a stunningly bespoke wedding or event, or simply an opportunity to rediscover nature in an unparalleled, tranquil country setting accompanied by the utmost in service and hospitality.

Photos courtesy of Pendry Residences Natirar

New penthouse located in the Nine on the Hudson development in the Port Imperial neighborhood of West New York, New Jersey showcases Alexander Hovnanian’s inspiration from a variety of developers and architects.

By Brielle Bryan

K. Hovnanian at Port Imperial Urban Renewal VI, LLC has introduced its $8 million dollar penthouse at its Nine on the Hudson development, which consists of beautiful new luxury condos and is located in the Port Imperial neighborhood of West New York, New Jersey, which is just north of Jersey City and Hoboken. Nine has spacious floorplans with views of New York City and five-star amenities.
The penthouse showcases Alexander Hovnanian’s inspiration from a variety of developers and architects that he admires. Nine pushes the envelope with the penthouse’s design by creating a zen oasis, inspired by Japanese design and Dutch aesthetics — a design incomparable to other penthouses in New Jersey or New York City.
The one-of-a-kind dining room, inspired by a hibachi concept, was designed to bring people closer together in a less than typical arrangement. The minimalistic designed kitchen has a greenhouse. The penthouse also has a private zen garden and a dedicated tatami room. A floating staircase graces the foyer, and leads up to a modern-glass cube on the penthouse’s expansive private terrace.

Photos courtesy of VDP

Water views or frontage have consistently been desirable real estate attributes for as long as anyone can remember. Whether your home offers breathtaking vistas out upon the open sea or a tranquil setting with frontage to a babbling river, there aren’t too many who would object to owning a luxury, waterfront property. With this desire to be by the water, however, many buyers seeking frontage are finding that waves of change are taking place along the coasts in the form of rejuvenation and reconstruction.
By Kristen Ordonez

Photo courtesy of Soaring Imagery

Portland, Maine

Soaking in the views of Casco Bay, the greater Portland area offers much to be desired in the line of luxury waterfront properties — ranging from $2 million to $5 million — whether along the rocky coastline, open ocean or somewhere near the bay for easy boat docking. The highest sale in the greater Portland area in the last year was $4.05 million, according to Bob Knecht, Broker for Town and Shore Associates. Though the amount of waterfront space is limited, the possibilities to redesign and rebuild are fervent throughout the area.

“Maine is a very old state,” Knecht remarks. “It provides an interesting mix of old cottages and old estates with grand cottages, island cottages, new homes and remodeled homes.” People will often take an older waterfront home and renovate it; “you can’t change the location, but you can change the house,” says Knecht, a method that provides a lot of inventory and an overall healthy real estate market.

David Banks of RE/MAX By the Bay focuses on the towns of Harpswell and Brunswick, about 30 minutes north of Portland, which still present opportunities for waterfront properties under $1 million. He also notes that in the rocky coastline of Cape Elizabeth, just south of Portland, properties range from $3 million to $6 million, while in other towns north of Portland the waterfront prices range from $2 million to $6 million and include more areas for boating, dockage and privacy. Banks reports that the highest-priced waterfront listing is $11 million.

After “converting from a manufacturing state to an information state,” according to Knecht, Maine is the “number one luxury state in the country,” offering the largest income in tourism, great school systems and a “wonderful quality of life.”

Exquisite Shingle-style home with broad ocean views in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Photo courtesy of Lynne Dube.

Lake Burton, Georgia

Realtor Julie Barnett from Harry Norman, Realtors knows the ins and outs of Lake Burton, and how water frontage plays a major role in the Georgia real estate market. Located only 90 minutes from Atlanta, most buyers come locally from Georgia
or Florida, according to Barnett, to “escape the summer heat.”

“Lake Burton is a boutique situation,” says Barnett. “It is 2,775 acres with 62 miles of shoreline nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.” The location is very tranquil with cool, crystal clear water that lets you see straight to the bottom, as well as a 10-degree temperature difference compared to Atlanta. Apart from the lake are the properties in the vicinity, which according to Barnett vary in price depending on their purpose.

Similar to Portland, Lake Burton affords both tear-down lots and luxury new constructions. “Our properties range from $700,000 to $1 million for tear-down fishing cabins, and up to $6.4 million for a luxury estate,” says Barnett, a sizable difference from last year when the range was between $479,000 and $5.9 million. And with these lots becoming available, $3+ million homes are being built in their place. Because of this consistent remove-and-replace pattern of construction, each year the inventory of homes over $2 million increases.

The highest-priced home on the market in Lake Burton is one of Barnett’s listings, priced at $6.4 million. The 1.2-acre property features mountain, lake, and sunset views and belongs to country music star Alan Jackson. 

St. Augustine, Florida

For buyers in St. Augustine, the choice between either water frontage to the ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway is one of the easier decisions to make. This resort town on the northeast coast of Florida has a unique real estate market compared to the markets in the “big cities,” according to Stefanie Bernstein of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty.

Because of the large inventory of second homes that were built in the 1980s and early ’90s, “most buyers do not find what they want with a resale,” and turn to a tear-down and reconstruction deal. These kinds of opportunities provide cheaper options for those looking for new construction possibilities, which is appealing to those who are willing to build or pay higher prices for newer homes. Bernstein notes that because of its “small-town” status, many buyers are from Florida, while others travel down from states like Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and even Vermont.

Generally, the price range for waterfront homes starts at about $800,000 for properties with ocean frontage, and $550,000 for Intracoastal frontage. The average prices for the more expensive homes in the area are within the $3 million range. One of the highest priced homes in St. Augustine is over $4.2 million, according to Bernstein, and is reminiscent of the Taj Mahal.  

Lake Arrowhead, California

Nestled in the hills of San Bernadino National Forest, luxury homes scattered along or near the shores of Lake Arrowhead tend to fill the vacation home capacity, according to Vicki Smith, Broker Associate at Coldwell Banker Sky Ridge Realty. “We have such a variety of luxury homes here, the plan is to match the buyers with homes that work for them,” Smith says. According to her, a large percentage of these homes are vacation homes for people who live in other parts of Southern California, especially Los Angeles/Beverly Hills, Orange County, San Diego County and the desert areas of Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage.

While there are enough high-end lakefront listings, Smith notes that all the areas around the lake are already built on, so not many new homes can be newly built and not every buyer gets exactly what they are looking for. Instead, most of the older, vintage homes are getting remodeled or refurbished in order to keep up with buyers’ needs. “We could use more lakefront homes on the market between the $2 million to $3 million range,” says Smith.

At this time, the highest-priced home in Lake Arrowhead is an $11.8 million listing by Smith, which is “an extraordinary home on its own private peninsula.” For those looking for luxury properties in the area. but not necessarily on the lake, these homes start around $500,000. Prices for lakefront homes are broken up differently depending on the remodeling process.

“For $900,000 to $1.5 million you can purchase a small (1,500 to 2,000-square-foot) vintage home that probably needs some work. For $1.5 million to $2.5 million, you can purchase a larger lakefront home (3,000 to 4,000 square feet) that has had some remodeling done, but today’s buyer will probably want to do additional upgrades. And for over $2.5 million you can get a beautiful home,” says Smith.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada

The tear-down, rebuild construction plan is how most buyers get away with finding or creating their perfect luxury home along the shores of Lake Tahoe. According to Shari Chase of Chase International Real Estate, there are no subdivisions or new developments for the most part in the waterfront area of Lake Tahoe due to the land preservations and protections.

“On the Nevada side of the lake, over 95 percent of the land itself is owned by government agencies,” Chase states, affirming that the land is “very precious.” Due to these protections, the only way to really create new luxury home opportunities is to buy older homes and either refurbish or tear them down to build new.

Chase notes that most of these buyers, like so many others looking for waterfront properties in the U.S., are looking for a secondary home, or a third or fourth in some cases. Based on the location, most buyers of these properties hail from the San Francisco Bay Area and even Los Angeles.

Price points vary depending on home distinction, such as a condominium or townhome compared to a single-family home, according to Chase. On average, in today’s market, the minimum on-the-water price is between $4 million to $10 million. The newest home on the market in the Lake Tahoe region is one of Chase’s, a $75 million residence in Crystal Pointe, Nevada with 525 feet of waterfront and the highest price in the area.

The captivating views from this $75 million listing in Crystal Pointe are what Chase refers to as “epic, energetic and empowering.” Photo courtesy of Jeff Dow.

Pines Lake, Wayne, New Jersey

Northwest New Jersey is a region that provides many popular lakes and private lake communities with memberships to private beaches, tennis courts, sailing and an assortment of other social activities. Two popular communities in particular, Pines Lake and Packanack Lake, are found in Wayne, New Jersey, and have been around as early as the 1930s, according to Carole “Lynn” Brescia, broker/sales associate for Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

Originally starting as summer lake communities in the ’30s through the ’50s, these places have evolved over time into year-round communities, Brescia states. “Older homes are now being renovated and expanded, or torn down and replaced by larger, new homes that focus on the water views and lakefront access,” Brescia says.

Keeping with the trend of buying a vacation home close to home, most buyers are local and move up to a lakefront location for the views, the water access and the lifestyle. Many of them have specifically identified the community, Brescia notes, and “wait for the right location or property.” Some buyers are occasionally from out of state and “fall in love with the beauty of the lakes area and choose the lifestyle of being able to enjoy kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding and swimming.”

On the water in Pines Lake, the starting price for a rebuild or redesign is just under $1 million, depending on the size of a lot. A recent piece of land sold for over $3 million, and according to Brescia there are more opportunities up for grabs. “Currently there are renovated and newer homes between $1.3 million and $2.8 million,” says Brescia.

This story originally appeared in Unique Homes Summer 2017. 

Click here to see the digital version.

By Kelly Potts

Upon entering the Stone Mansion, a 30,000-square-foot estate offering five floors of breathtaking living spaces, I was immediately aware of the attention to detail and exquisite finishes. The grand estate in Alpine, New Jersey, is built of solid granite and steel infrastructure, featuring 12 bedrooms, 19 baths and endless outstanding details throughout.

The majestic entryway welcomes you with views to the spacious backyard, a grand staircase featuring subtle 18-karat-gold accents and just one of the $2 million worth of chandeliers and sconces from renowned antiquarian Cedric Dupont of Palm Beach that can be found throughout the home. Materials were sourced from around the world to give the upscale home its distinct feel, including rare marbles, exotic woods, metals and glass to create custom curved windows.

The estate is owned by real estate investor Richard Kurtz, who was interviewed for “The Stone Mansion, An American Masterpiece,” a 26-page brochure prepared to market the estate, along with Terence Mack of interior design firm Terence Mack Associates, and James Paragano of James Paragano Architecture.

Paragano describes how every detail was conceived within the content of overall goal. “From the massive iron entry gates to the richly detailed interiors, pool house, pergola and limestone terraces, all are designed to contribute to a common thread of ‘timeless elegance,’” he says.

A light and bright Christopher Peacock-designed kitchen offers top-of-the-line appliances, marble countertops, large pantries and refrigerated drawers, as well as a built-in vacuum system in the floorboards. The master suite offers roomy his and hers closets and baths, an elegant sitting area, and views to the lush green backyard from the bedroom, which features one of the home’s many marble fireplaces.

“Designing the interior of a home with 2-feet-thick stone walls takes finding a balance between grandeur and intimacy,” says Mack. “This home is both inspiring and warm.”

The estate’s private movie theater is spacious yet cozy. A 4,000-bottle wine cellar is accompanied by three bars, one of which opens to the elegant ballroom with 18-karat-gold trim. The lowest level of the estate features a regulation-size indoor basketball court fully equipped with a scoreboard, adjustable nets and a locker room.

The $48.8 million estate is in an exclusive neighborhood — Forbes’ most expensive ZIP code — just eight miles from New York City. It rests on the former estate of steel and railroad tycoon Henry Clay Frick.

“We started with the question, ‘If Henry Clay Frick built a new home today, what would it be?’” Kurtz reports. “And then we went further. Much further.”

Photos courtesy The Kamson Corporation

This story originally appeared in Unique Homes Ultimate ’17. Click here to see the digital version.

By Jaymi Naciri

Once a playground for dignitaries and royalty, the famed Cragwood Estate enjoys privacy and pedigree.

First Lady Jacquelyn Kennedy riding horses on the property. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor celebrating the annual “Royal Weekend” as guests in the home. Stories of gold Kruggerands being doled out as party favors during elaborate galas.

Cragwood Estate in Far Hills, New Jersey, has both an inimitable pedigree and a storied and fascinating history, having once been owned by precious-metal magnate Charles Engelhard and his socialite wife, Jane. The couple was renowned for their lavish parties and for the dignitaries and heads of state, including Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, who visited.
Today’s soirees might not be quite as posh, but the 112-acre Georgian revival mansion certainly is. Crafted to exacting standards circa 1923 and lovingly restored and modernized by its current owners, the home features three levels of beautifully designed living space. In all, there are 24 rooms, including nine bedrooms, a professional home theater and a climate-controlled, 3,000-bottle wine cellar with a tasting room, plus an elevator and three terraces to take in the rare views of Ravine Lake and the distant hills…

Click here for the full story as seen in the fall 2016 issue of Homes & Estates.