Waterfront Farmhouse

Founder of VUE Magazine, Jason Underberg and his aspiring designer wife Jamie-Rae, paired up with acclaimed designer, Vanessa DeLeon to create their picture-perfect waterfront home in Toms River, New Jersey. Working together with top local builder Statewide Custom Homes, the ultimate build and design team was born. Combining Jamie-Rae’s style with DeLeon’s experience and keen eye for detail, was the perfect recipe for a beautifully balanced home design. The ultimate goal? A super chic, yet cozy coastal farmhouse.

With the team’s love for style, color, and patterns colliding, Jamie-Rae and DeLeon hand-picked virtually every material and element of the home, executing a divine coastal farmhouse feel. Spending years flipping through catalogs and scrolling through dreamy Instagram accounts, Jamie-Rae drew inspiration from the water, yet envisioned herself in a chic farmhouse, paving the path for the design of her new dream house. Jamie-Rae and DeLeon worked together to create different mood boards for every room in the house to ensure that all of the coastal and farmhouse components of the home would seamlessly blend. This house is all about balance. Using mixed metals for an eclectic accent, and farmhouse-feel centerpiece items, this home completely captures the essence of a farmhouse on the water, boasting a beautiful meeting point between modern and traditional. Creating the dreamy coastal farm-vibe found in this home had challenges, especially when it came to picking out the colors, and making sure the two different vibes were purposefully put together. 

“It’s like shooting targets,” DeLeon explained, “Once you change one thing you have to change another thing, it’s about fitting all of the pieces together.”

One of the key design elements throughout the home are the window treatments. Finding the right balance of natural light, while incorporating beautiful design was easily achieved with the help of Budget Blinds. A mixture of woven and Lutron Motorized Shades were introduced throughout the home, giving it a cozy and homey feel. Drapery was also carefully selected to give certain spaces an extra pop of color.

 The kitchen embraces a clean, coastal design with a predominately white color scheme and flecks of copper and gold to create a serene and chic space. The Monogram signature 48 inch brass custom hood, over the pro range with griddle is the centerpiece of the kitchen. Appliances also include a built-in pizza oven, 5 in 1 oven, and a 48-inch paneled refrigerator. To complete the look, an Elkay fireclay farm sink sits below the window that overlooks the waterfront. Buster + Punch cabinet pulls were introduced as another bold statement that dramatically ties in additional kitchen elements. Installed and delivered by Faithful Countertops, Calacatta light porcelain Sapienstone countertops and backsplash set the laid-back tone of the kitchen. Using both thin, sleek countertops around the perimeter and a thicker slap on the oversized island, balance is achieved to create this unparalleled focal point of the home.  The island was finished with solid oak, textured woven “Molly” stools from McGee and Co. creating a seamless transition into the living room.  At the coffee bar, you’ll find the built-in Smeg cappuccino, espresso machine, that makes mornings a breeze and sets a cozy mood.

Dramatic, wide board and batten trim by Metrie, are placed throughout the home to add a coastal aesthetic and dimension to each space. Shiplap throughout the home ties in the waterfront and farmhouse feel that Jamie-Rae was seeking. In working with Metropolitan Floors, Kentwood’s Brushed Oak Whisker engineered hardwood was laid throughout the space. Using both a traditional and herringbone design, each room and hallway has its own unique path.  Each tile accent was carefully selected from a variety of manufacturers including one of Jamie-Rae’s favorites Cement Tile, in which a traditional checkered look was used in the laundry room. Lighting fixtures and ceiling fans throughout the home were provided by Generation Lighting. Each fixture was carefully selected to complete the space, from the oversized warming pendants in the kitchen to the sprawling farmhouse fans in the living and bedroom.

When it comes to DeLeon’s design tactics, she is all about the details and the accents that invoke a “wow” factor. A couple of minor aspects of a house that DeLeon feels are that when designing homes, people do not spend enough time thinking about the minor details including doorknobs and light switches.  While it may be looked at as a side note while picking out things like paint colors, doorknobs are the centerpiece of the door. Emtek Door Knobs were carefully chosen to complement the coastal farmhouse theme. Marble handles accentuate the elements and tones throughout the home while crystal knobs are introduced to tie in additional design elements. The light switches which were created by Buster + Punch, a motorcycle-inspired company, boast a unique, knurled style that adds rustic character to a traditional wall switch.

Further capturing the rustic feel, are the exposed faux wood beams by Barron Design that stretch across the ceiling in the living room. The space is given an exaggerated, estate-like feel through oversized rugs and chairs that are paired with a sleek and timeless brown leather sofa by Kathy Kuo. Additional accent pieces are placed throughout, which ties in the beautiful furnishings. 

Moving to the upper level of the home, multiple grand bedrooms, bathrooms, and a loft space are found. Each of the four  bedrooms embrace a coastal ambiance, anchored by custom upholstered beds designed and manufactured by Jonathan Louis. The brand’s vast array of fabric colors and textures made it possible to achieve a unique personality in each room, and the beds’ hidden storage drawers – a welcomed bonus feature – stow away any clutter to add to the rooms minimalistic designs. Accent pieces including the Alma Chair and ottoman, Gala Floor Mirror and oversized Zaragoza wool rug from McGee and Co, add the final finishing touches to the master suite. 

The bathrooms flaunt James Martin designed vanities with finishes, styles, and genres that can be customized. Kohler fixtures and Infinity Drains, add additional layers of luxury design.  The glass enclosures by Leading Edge Glass, create the centerpieces in each of the powder rooms. 

Moving up to the 3rd level is the loft, which is the only room in the home that veers off of the coastal farmhouse path. Instead, it presents a New York City lounge feel and features a movie theater, lounge, and full bar including a Perlick single-column dual chilled wine refrigerator to house an array of wines for any guests taste. 

The home is as beautiful on the outside as inside. From the exterior of the home to the entertainment space, to its waterfront location this property has everything you could dream of. The custom siding designed by James Hardie and installed by Coastal Creations is made from a strong, composite wood that protects the home from the harsh coastal environment. A Glen Gery whitewash stone that surrounds the home’s perimeter, complements the siding.

Working with EP Henry and All Green Landscaping, the perfect front and backyard was achieved. Beautiful pavers and stone fill the driveway, backyard, built in fire pit, and outdoor kitchen. Top-of-the-line appliances by Coyote Outdoors were introduced including a 36-inch grill with a massive side burner, refrigerator, and warming drawer to keep food from getting cold. The beautiful outdoor furniture found on each level of the home combines a variety of collections by Sunset West to create the ultimate resort vibe. Garden Mark Turf was the final ingredient which gives the yard a warming and natural feel and works perfectly as a transition to the edge of the water. 

From the drawing boards to the execution, Jamie-Rae and Vanessa DeLeon oversaw and carefully delegated to create the ultimate coastal farmhouse dream home. The duo’s love for style, incredible taste, and eye for detail created a unique, perfectly balanced design.

To keep our furniture looking great this winter, we chose The Cover Store, Ultima Collection and Prestige Collection.

HERE’S WHY:
• Best fitting custom covers in the industry
• Available patterns for most any furniture shape
• Short lead times
• Best warranties in the industry

 

BRANDS WE COLLABORATED WITH
• Emtek
• James Martin
• Jonathan Louis
• Monogram
• Cement Tile Shop
• Sunset West
• Smeg
• Perlick
• Buster & Punch
• Elkay
• James Hardie
• EP Henry
• Generation Lighting
• infinity drain
• Metrie
• Faithful Countertops • Kohler
• Leading Edge Glass
• All Green Landscaping • Coastal Creations
• Metropolitan Floors
• Kathy Kuo
• Barron Designs
• Glen Gerry
• Budget Blinds
• Garden Mark
• Macan Cabinetry
• Hanssem Cabinets

Wardrobe: The Mall at Short Hills Jewelry: Zariana Jewels
Stylist: Melissa Polo Landau Photography: Jesse Korman
Hair: Christian Rodriguez & Lauren McElroy Makeup: Cara Lovello