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A Country Estate: The Mullaneys'
04/28/2009
Country Estate Living
The Mullaneys Give Lluster to a Diamond in the Rough
Sean and Stacey Mullaney met in high school in Matawan. After marrying, they stayed in Monmouth County; they were familiar with all the great towns in the area, but soon chose a lot in Holmdel on which to build their first home. Sean owns Distinctive Masonry, and enjoyed the challenge of building it. The Mullaney family, which includes three children all under the age of 14, remained in Holmdel for 14 years, after which the allure of Colts Neck beckoned.
Sean and Stacey drove around Colts Neck, marveling at the beautiful homes and picturesque settings of so many country properties in the town. They loved the space, but also responded to the sense of community that Colts Neck had to offer. They knew this would be their next move, and kept their eyes open for a great property.
The Mullaney crew found the perfect home – a 1992 8,300-squarefoot, brick colonial estate home, on 4+ acres of magnificent, landscaped property. The home’s structural integrity and interior flow was contemporary, but the excessive use of wallpaper, somewhat dated appliances, and color palette made this diamond’s luster a bit drab.
Stacey and Sean think alike when making design decisions, so together they started updating and transforming their new dream home. They understood the strains of renovations, even though most of the work being done was cosmetic. They negotiated with the buyers of their Holmdel house to allow them to rent and stay there while their new home was being worked on; this made the transition a pleasure for their three children, and gave Sean and Stacey a chance to make all the right design moves without the pressures of living at the job site.
Adding new finishes and removing the wallpaper took more than 3 months. Stacey’s great sense of color led her to choose earth tones and soft accent colors to enhance the beautiful ornamental details. Because of Sean and Stacey’s similar design objectives, the decorating process went along without a hitch. The uncluttered, clean approach added new personality to the home, reflecting the owners’ passion for living life to the fullest.
TheMullaneys truly love living in Colts Neck. Their children are as athletic as their parents and are involved in the Colts Neck recreation program. (Sean had played football at Hofstra University and Stacey stays active as well.) The school system has been a very positive experience for all, and their newly spruced up home has afforded the family a renewed sense of a full life in one of Monmouth County’s most beautiful towns.
The Mullaneys’ magnificent full brick country estate has charm to spare, and adding to that charm is Beyonce, the family’s beloved black lab, ready to welcome visitors at the front door. The exterior masonry, dormers, and varied roof-line elevations create a warm and inviting exterior.The landscaping is well designed and maintained to enhance the home’s curb appeal and presence on this 4-acre sprawling country property.
Stacey and Sean chose earthy colors to accent the beautiful mouldings and tray ceiling architectural elements. The grand salon is majestic, but never cold or uninviting.The choice of plush furnishings (many purchased on a special trip to High Point, North Carolina) and Oriental rug help define the space and create a sense of intimacy in the grand surroundings.The Mullaneys incorporated cascading fabric drapery treatments to frame the grand windows that flank the center hearth and soften the strong architectural elements of the overall design concept. Light, color, and carefully placed furnishings create a dramatic and inviting space.
The Mullaneys added the beautiful, black iron-scroll rail treatment and richly colored and patterned carpet runner to themain staircase, transforming it into a most elegant focal point.The recessed lighting track located on the first floor offers varied and subtle lighting to highlight the colorful works of art displayed on the walls.
The kitchen is a natural gathering place for this
active family. The original cabinets have been retained but transformed by a new tile backsplash, stainless premium appliances, and striking, boldly patterned granite known in the trade as Delicatus. The interior lighting in the glass door cabinetry allows focus on the colorful collection of ceramics and glassware, adding color and interest to this clean and thoughtfully designed kitchen.
The master bath retains its original green Italian marble detail, while bringing in a softer travertine tile for contrast and to lighten the space.The curved bank of windows surrounding the platform soaking tub brings in a large amount of natural light and overlooks the spectacular grounds.The choice of warm golds and natural accent tones create a painted canvas for a restful and inviting atmosphere in this private space.
The master bedroom has a dramatic vaulted ceiling and a spiral staircase leading to a loft/workspace above.The deep berry color of the plush carpeting creates a bold contrast to the soft colors used on the walls and ceiling.A ceiling fan helps circulate chilled or warmed air, depending on the season, and the arched-top picture window allows natural light to play off the interior spaces of this well-designedmaster bedroom.
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