329 & 331 Mendham Road , Bernardsville, NJ 07924(Somerset County)

This magnificent estate on Bernardsville Mountain, accessed by a private road, is its own secluded world of luxury intermingled with history yet only moments to Bernardsville town center and within an hour of Manhattan. The compound comprises a 4-bedroom main residence, 2-bedroom carriage house, pool, tennis court, and 6-stall barn. The serene setting is 17 acres of fields dotted with old-growth trees, lawns crisscrossed by post-and-rail fencing, and landscaped beds. A gazebo is the tennis hut for the Har-Tru court, while a koi pond near the carriage house is a space for quiet contemplation. Incorporating the original 100-year-old section of the main house, a 2-year expansion and renovation of the house and carriage house was completed ten years ago. Architect Peter Burke attached and transformed the two homes into a finely crafted and magnificently appointed family compound. Wonderful architectural details define the main house, from the hipped rooflines reminiscent of French country style to the windowed gallery hall overlooking a stone sculpture garden. Light streams into the interior through multiple sets of French doors, skylights, clerestory windows and glassed hallways. The historic bones of the house were preserved and replicated throughout the home. The family room, with a floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace, retains its original wide-plank floors and beamed ceiling. A striking detail of the formal dining room is the original leaded-glass sidelights and crescent window on the French doors opening to the rear patio. In the kitchen, top of the line appliances from Sub-Zero, Viking, Fisher Paykel, and Miele are a counterpoint to the wonderful breakfast room with a built-in banquette, whose windows overlook the pool and patio. The kitchen has slate flooring, granite countertops, and stunning custom cabinetry. The 1st-floor master suite has custom built-ins, window seat, walls of windows, custom outfitted walk-in closets, 9ft-foot tray ceiling and French doors to a screened porch. Heated stone tiles in the bathroom, where limestone countertops and custom wood vanities make a subtle statement. The spectacular lower level of the house has a 1500-bottle wine cellar with adjacent lounge that is serviced by a fully equipped built-in bar. Basketball aficionados will revel in the 26-foot-high indoor climate-controlled 3-point court on this level. On the second floor, in addition to three large en-suite bedrooms, loft with full bath and laundry, a long hallway leads to a wing with an exercise room/studio with putting green as well as a home office. Adjoining the main house is the spacious 3-level, 2-bedroom carriage house. The living room has a dramatic 20-foot ceiling with exposed trusses. The mahogany front door and stone fireplace in the living room are reminders of the century-old roots of the house. The kitchen with wide-plank flooring, natural wood custom cabinetry, and a hammered copper farmhouse sink is stunning. For todays fine living you will find a sumptuous master suite with heated floor and honed limestone in the bathroom; a Miele built-in espresso maker in the kitchen; and accessed by an elevator, a 5,000-bottle wine cellar. The study overlooks the koi pond and grounds. The loft area has a studio bedroom with a window seat, ample closets, and full bath. Both the carriage and main house open to the gunite pool, surrounded by travertine stone. A shaded Pergola area, grilling station and outdoor sound system contribute to the resort-like ambiance of this beautiful area. While offering the ultimate in privacy and seclusion, this exceptional listing, which is being offered in two parcels, is just minutes from the lively, historic town of Bernardsville, where you will find everything from fine dining choices to a weekly farmers market to yoga and spin studios. The surrounding county of Somerset is sought after for its equestrian facilities, nationally ranked golf courses, and excellent public and private schools.