Sometimes, when Im bored at night and eating Capn Crunch cereal out of the box (dont judge), I look at real estate online and pretend I live there. Then I realize I need to sell a lot more furniture. A LOT more furniture. Since theres not much mid century modern here in NYC, I usually have to think outside of the cereal box and look elsewhere. Of course the mecca of all things mid century is Palm Springs, CA, but theres surprisingly quite a few gems hidden in the country in the Northeast. And its too hot in the desert.
One of these finds is a truly spectacular mid century modern home in Lambertville, NJ. Lambertville? you say. Where is that? Was it named after the sheepish lion? Oh, arent you clever. But to answer your question, its a little town, located on the border of Pennsylvania, which has always attracted an eclectic and modern mindset type of people. Usually they are vacation homes for the NYC and Philly crowd, so this one in particular is just a little too far for me to commute. Argh!
I think the best way to describe it is through the property listing:
Voted one of the 10 Best Houses in America by Architectural Record. A sweeping roofline floats effortlessly amidst an open woodland landscape. Mid-Century Modern architect Jules Gregorys masterpiece allows the eye to enjoy a poem formed by architectural joinery in wood, glass, stone, and landscape. A footbridge over a seasonal stream leads to a guest quarters/serene sanctuary that artfully counterbalances the main homes exotic curves. Privacy abounds on this 10-acre modern estate. Just beyond the riverside towns of Lambertville and New Hope, the property is minutes to Princeton with easy access to NY and Philadelphia. Furniture is also available.
Dont you just love realtor-speak? How did this spectacular mid century design end up on 10 acres of land in the Jersey wilderness? More importanly, WHY has it been on the market for so long? I guess maybe its less-than-urban location?
I dont care, I love it. And if I had a million dollars, I would buy it and rollerskate on the roof. And keep goats or something on the land (the address is on Goat Hill Road just a coincidence?)
The thing that grates my nerve the most on that House Hunters show is when prospective buyers make comments on the furniture. You arent buying the furniture, lady-on-tv! And in this case, I think I would add more mid century furniture, both reproduction and original (hmm I wonder who sells it). But to each his own, I guess.
It also comes with a guest house in the back. A guest house! Oh Im loving this design more and more.
The place was built in 1960, THE best part of the mid century era, in my opinion. Maybe thats why the bulk of my reproduction pieces are from that decade. If I have one complaint about this homes design, its the lack of a nice deck or patio (or lanai if you are a Golden Girls fan). Or a pool!
Anyhoo, forgot to include a shot of the interior of the visitor cottage
So, what do you think of this place? Im biased towards reproduction pieces, of course, but I dont think this gorgeous piece of mid mod architecture could ever be copied, its just from a different time and place.
OK, back to my Capn Crunch and realty surfing