"Gemwood," Long Valley, New Jersey
Gemwood is completely handcrafted in old world tradition with attention to detail. This residence has appeared in Timber Home Living Magazine as one of the best home designs of the year. All elements were either custom designed or hand-crafted for the house or are authentically period. The stone for the house and the barn was taken from the property. All wood is antique American chestnut and American oak timber frame. American chestnut has been nearly extinct since the turn of the last century and is the rarest most costly wood on today's market.
General Description
An exceptional, authentic re-creation of an 18th Century American timber frame manor home with hand pegged construction and acorn drop finials. Custom built with painstaking attention to detail and quality for the discerning buyer, this timber frame residence overlooks a scenic spring fed 4-acre pond and is secluded in complete privacy amid 54 wooded acres, yet is only 1 hour to New York City. Thoroughly modern technology is virtually hidden from view allowing it to remain a true specimen of hand-crafted perfection. Unique features include central vacuum throughout, radiant heat floor in master bath, whirlpool porcelain Duker tub imported from Germany, and low voltage lighting control fixtures that have a "one touch" keypad operable from the house and outbuildings.
Features
- 5000 square foot hand-crafted re-creation of an 18 C. American Colonial at its best.
- Custom built with period details including antique American chestnut and hand-blown glass throughout.
- Old world grace with cutting edge technology including 5 units for heat and silent cool water air conditioning.
- The pinnacle of the timber framing occurs in the library which tiers up to a large windowed cupola.
- Largest timber frame built with 550 members-not a nail in it, all hand-pegged.
- Antique period colonial hardware and hand forged iron hinges.
- All tile work is original Buck County Moravian tile.
- 45 foot Smallbone English chestnut kitchen with a hexagonal breakfast room at the far end includes a La Cornue half electric half gas cooking stove built in oven warmer as well as a stone and Moravian tile baking oven. Twin AEG refrigerator freezers are completely hidden in Smallbone chestnut cabinetry.
- Wide plank antique chestnut floors throughout the entire house.
- 25x35 foot solarium with fossil slate floor and one of the largest wooden picture windows ever built.
- Brazilian hardwood deck and porch with EbTy hidden deck fastener 'no nail' construction. Brazilian "Ipe" hardwood is an exceedingly hard wood that has the burning density just below cement. Additionally, the decking will never have to be replaced.
- Windows are hand-blown glass, copper weighty and chain hand pegged construction with true divided light.
- Hand blown Bull's Eye windows as details in library loft area.
- 15 acres of underground invisible dog fencing.
- 54 acres of farm assessed tax rate.
- 4 acre private pond.
- Three bedrooms with possibility of Fourth.