great architecture responds not only to its setting, but to
the way a home is meant to be lived in. at this remarkable bernardsville
residence, noted architect james timpson, along with the owners, created a home
that embraces its beautiful surroundings, offering gracious living and
entertaining spaces while giving art an extraordinary place within everyday
life.
from the exterior, timpson’s signature steep rooflines and
prominent chimneys establish a quietly elegant presence. the home’s low,
rambling profile unfolds through a series of connected wings beneath
cedar-shingled roofs, allowing a substantial residence to sit comfortably
within its landscape.
inside, the architecture reveals an unexpected dimension.
beautifully proportioned living and dining rooms transition to dramatic volumes
conceived with art in mind. expansive gallery walls accommodate large-scale
works, while soaring and vaulted ceilings, strategically positioned skylights
and carefully considered natural light enhance the sense of openness.
integrated gallery lighting, built-in niches and display areas provide
additional opportunities for paintings, sculpture and objects of varying scale. perhaps most compelling is how naturally these gallery-like
elements coexist with the warmth of the original home. a grand salon combines
tremendous wall space and a soaring ceiling with the intimacy of a fireplace.
an adjoining gallery creates long perspectives through the residence, while
more intimate rooms provide a pleasing contrast in scale and character. the result is a residence with a rare duality: architecturally sophisticated enough to showcase an important collection, yet warm, inviting and beautifully suited to everyday living and entertaining. throughout, expansive windows frame the surrounding landscape almost as
deliberately as the walls frame art.
that relationship continues outdoors, where mature trees,
established gardens and broad lawns create a private setting and a natural
backdrop for outdoor sculpture or entertainment. terraces extend the living
areas into the landscape, while a free-form swimming pool is tucked amid the
greenery.
this extraordinary property allows privacy while enjoying
proximity to award-winning schools, equestrian facilities, world-class golf
courses, upscale shopping and dining, highways and nj transit
