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Matthew Arrington
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Matthew Arrington
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Matthew Arrington
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Matthew Arrington
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Matthew Arrington
By Beth S. Buxbaum
Looking for a change in scenery after living in Northern New Jersey for years, these homeowners were ready to alter their lifestyle. With the husband commuting to New York City for work, they decided it was time for him to retire. But, not retire in North Jersey. These homeowners were looking forward to retiring in Bucks County.
Finding the right home to fulfill their requirements and vision was the challenge. They contacted Mary Lou Erk, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Doylestown, to guide them in their search for a home that could accommodate their very specific requirements. A priority was to find a home with a two-story library to display their many books and collectibles. Additionally, they were looking for a more rural setting, with some land. Mary Lou showed them homes mainly in Upper Makefield, Solebury and Buckingham. After looking at several large homes, with two story great rooms, they questioned the feasibility of placing the bookcases on the balconies. More specifically, they wanted to know whether the balconies were able to hold the weight of heavily-filled bookcases, as well as the feasibility of installing bookcases to balcony. To assist with these questions, Mary Lou reached out to Mike Costigan, of MJ Costigan Builders. She had worked with Mike before and called him for feedback about their ideas. “Mike quickly ascertained that the weight of bookcases could not be safely supported by cantilevering on more balconies, and that it was structurally impossible without tearing out walls and starting over,” Mary Lou explains.
After considering their options, the decision was made to have a new home custom built. They worked with Mary Lou to find land and, in 2019, purchased six acres in a newer development that had only one lot filled. Following Mary Lou’s suggestion, they also decided to work with Mike Costigan, and interior designer Diane Karam of DK Interior Concepts. The design process was initiated. The homeowners had previously owned two 1927 center hall Colonials which influenced their design concepts. In the design of their new home they wanted a traditional Bucks County stone facade with a traditional feel and layout of a center hall that included modern design elements and conveniences.
With Mike Costigan and Diane Karam as the build and design team, a collaboration was in motion to create a home that was traditional in feel with the modern conveniences not found in a house built in the1920s. These features included ample storage, high ceilings with lots of air and light from an abundance of windows, an attached garage, first floor laundry room and larger closets and bathrooms. Appreciating many of the stylistic qualities of their prior home, they wanted to include some of the design features and fixtures from their previous home, as well as heirlooms from their families. Having very specific tastes and ideas, their new home captures the design elements that are most personal to them both.
Elegance suitably encompasses the interior living space, beginning with the grand entrance hall. Embellished with a crystal chandelier, this spacious entrance foyer opens to the first floor living space. Arched entrances create the interior footprint and open to the first floor rooms. On one side is the library that visually divides the main part of the house from the side of the house with the guest quarters. Central to the design and function of their new home was to have a two-story library to accommodate their massive book collections. In keeping with that goal, the house was designed around an expansive two-story library with built-ins to display their collections. The homeowners explain that the library was inspired by a library they saw on a house tour in Summit, NJ and from photos in a design magazine. Accented with traditional elements, the library is wrapped in Sapele mahogany floor-to-ceiling bookcases. Embellishments include fluted pilasters, paneling and four glass display cases (vitrines) to showcase their family memorabilia and collections of coral, sea shells and crystals. An interesting feature is the library staircase, with a large window, decorated in a Schumacher Chinese wall covering. Illuminated by a striking crystal chandelier, the library exudes a sophisticated elegance.
Design elements throughout this home reflect an underlying Chinese motif. According to the owners this appointment was appropriate to traditional American houses of the 18th and 19th centuries when Chinese wall coverings and export porcelain were popular. In their previous home, the dining room featured a reproduction of an 18th century wall paper, the Port Royal Hall paper from the Winterthur Museum in Wilmington, Delaware. The homeowner explains that the wallpaper was no longer in production, and she was unable to find vintage rolls or similar options. Diane recommended Aren King’s firm Les Artistes, who are known for their murals and paint finishes. Sean Mount is the artist who painted the wallpaper design directly onto the new dining room walls. In a Chinese-like motif, Sean painted variations on the birds, butterflies and flowers to replicate the original wallpaper. A crystal chandelier, an antique French St. Louis fixture, finishes this elegant formal dining room.
From the foyer an arched entranceway also leads into the kitchen. The kitchen is designed with maple cabinetry with elaborate crown moldings, fluted pilasters, acanthus moldings and bookcases for the owner’s collection of cookbooks. The homeowner explains that they wanted to carry over the style of the library and foyer woodwork into the kitchen. Flowing from the kitchen is the family room, infused with natural light and views of the side and back gardens. Again replicating a feature from their former home, the owners had leaded transom windows installed in the new family room
With a longer than expected timeline, this project began when they bought the land in November of 2019. The customization of their new home was interrupted by the pandemic. Much of the progress was stalled because the builders were having difficulty procuring many of the materials. Finally completed, and overflowing with all the elements they specified, they moved into their new home in July of 2022. In their classic Bucks County stone Colonial it certainly feels like home, especially since they carried over a few design elements from their former home. When friends come to visit, they comment that they had a sense of "déjà vu." There is a comfort in appreciating and finding comfort in your surroundings and this couple certainly have found that comfort and satisfaction in their retirement.
Beth S. Buxbaum is a freelance writer from the Philadelphia area.