Somerset, Morris and Hunterdon counties provide very desirable neighborhoods, with easy access to New York City, beautiful landscapes and excellent school systems. Today, I would like to concentrate on a property in Mendham Twp., an area known for its many estate areas. This particular 5.2± acre estate is so lovely and enchanting that when you approach from the circular driveway, winding through mature trees and flowering shrubs, you feel that you have arrived in a story book setting. This custom home provides 6956± sq. ft. of comfortable living space. Warmth and “Traditional Splendor” are emitted from the13 rooms that welcome you to call it your home. Set within nature’s best, you can move right into this home due to the beautiful updating that was completed in 2011. There are first and second floor family rooms, second floor billiard room, five fireplaces, five bedrooms, five baths and new, oversized picture windows that invite the wonder of this story book setting into the home.
Please contact Bella for further information and details about this lovely estate home and property. 908/930-8495.
Posted by: 
Bella Wilgus
Another beautiful town that I service in Morris County is Randolph Township, which is about 21 square miles. It is part of the New Jersey Highlands region, characterized by flat top ridges and alternating deep valleys. From certain elevated parts of Randolph you can see the Manhattan skyline. Randolph was originally settled by the Lenni Lenape Indians because of its rich soil and abundant natural beauty. The European colonists and Quakers soon became its inhabitants. The first iron mine of New Jersey was registered in 1713 in Randolph, discovered by the Quakers. The Randolph mines supplied the soldiers in the Revolutionary war. During George Washington’s winter in Jockey Hollow, supplies were procured from the mines of Randolph. During the 1930’s and 1940’s Randolph became a vacation spot for New Yorkers looking for a place with natural beauty, clean air and clean water. Many summer camps, hotels and bungalow colonies were built.
A beautiful Colonial on 1.03± level, picturesque acres has just come on the market in Randolph. This home exemplifies the town motto, “Where life is worth living.” This lovely, ready to move-in Colonial is the perfect home for buyers who want a pretty setting, safe community, good schools and easy commute to New York City. The rooms are spacious and glisten with beautiful refurbished hardwood floors, new Pella windows in several rooms and three skylights that brighten and warm every space in the home. The foyer opens to a unique second floor hallway with a vaulted ceiling and skylight. The family room is absolutely lovely and conveniently located, opening to the breakfast area and kitchen. You will adore the arched windows and two sets of French doors dressed with custom Hunter Douglas shades.
This home in Randolph is very warm and inviting and will make “Life worth Living.” Please call me for more details 908-930-8495.
Posted by: Bella Wilgus
My previous blogs about Peapack-Gladstone have revealed that these twin boroughs in Somerset County are an ideal place to reside. My family and I have enjoyed this lovely, quiet community for almost 33 years. P-G boasts an easy commute to New York City and yet it is rural enough to enable residents to enjoy a quiet, peaceful life amidst nature.
This blog is about a spectacular home and property that just came on the market, Hidden Manor. It is a majestic French Country Manor completed in 2009, located on over 11.84 private, level, farmland accessed, wooded and open acres. Many people have goals that they never achieve, but this supreme estate home was the dream and brainchild of its owner and her goal was accomplished. She spent two years designing it and three years in construction with creativity, dedication, and exquisite taste resulting in this gem of Peapack/Gladstone.
All the charm and elegance of a bygone era is represented in this magnificent Manor. It reveals the love and care it took to design and build. The elegance becomes obvious in the craftsmanship, intricate detailing and beauty. The stone and stucco exterior with detailed wood shingle and copper roof is stunning. The highest quality materials are incorporated in every detail inside and out of this 16-room home. The ceiling heights are a minimum of 12 feet with six foot wide arched hallways and every wall in the home features curved corners. There is even an Orvis family room which captures the outdoor spirit. The gourmet kitchen, breakfast room and two butler’s pantries incorporate the highest quality appliances. These include two Gaggenau ovens and a Lacanache gas stove. Circular stairs ascend from the foyer to five spacious bedroom suites each with lavish baths.
If you wish to have more details about this French Country Manor in Peapack/Gladstone please call me at 908/930-8495. Showings must be preceded by a 24-hour appointment.
Posted by: Bella Wilgus
The quiet and quaint rural town of Peapack/Gladstone has always been known for its estate and horse farms of the wealthy, where they still engage in fox hunting. However, most of the residents live less ostentatiously in charming antique homes and beautiful Colonials. Many residents are young and well established, and commute to New York City from its two train stations.
Several homes are on the market presently. However, I would like to focus on one Colonial in particular which was built in 1985 and is located in one of the most desirable neighborhoods of the town. Its architecture is unique from most of the other Colonials because the owner wanted a home reminiscent of a Southern Colonial. Properly named by its owner, “Southern Comfort,” the exterior boasts 2 front porches on both the first and second levels. The owner has spent many precious moments enjoying the views of the neighborhood and landscape. The home has 5 bedrooms, 2½ baths and a cozy family room with a floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace. Every room has 7 ft. Anderson windows that delightfully capture nature’s views. The owner had the builder locate the home in the center of its level, picturesque 1.8± acres, affording privacy in the front and back of the home. This home has been priced to give the buyer an excellent investment at $727,600.
Come enjoy a fall drive through town to experience the colorful and majestic shade trees. Peapack/Gladstone is a choice area to live in with its excellent school system, peaceful surroundings and easy commute to New York City by train or major highways. Please give me a call with any questions concerning “Southern Comfort” or the beautiful town of Peapack/Gladstone.
Posted by: Bella Wilgus
If you are interested in fine dining and a memorable experience, then Ninety Acres Culinary Center at Natirar in Peapack, New Jersey is the place to go! This 15-month old restaurant is situated on a 500 acre estate that was once owned by the King of Morocco. The estate carriage house was transformed into an exceptional restaurant by David Rockwell of the Rockwell Team. Its warm, inviting ambiance boasts rich, classic materials and design with wood floors and ceilings, butternut millwork, walnut furniture, green stressed leather seating and large windows that create a connection with the surrounding bucolic setting. The restaurant wizardry by Chef David C. Felton is unmatched. The recipes are delicious and exciting and leave your palette and well being with a blissful satisfying feeling. Complimentary carafes of bubbling and still water are at every table. The bread basket is filled with the most delectable assortment. Their creative, original cocktails incorporate ingredients indigenous to country living. Ninety Acres also has a Wine School and Cooking School and will be able to serve foods that are raised and grown on the property’s own farm. The service is simply impeccable and leaves nothing to be desired. At the end of your delightful dinner, if you should request a “doggie bag”, your server will provide you with a number tag to retrieve your food when you leave. Truly sophisticated dining you will not forget.
If you intend to move to or visit Somerset County, just know that the twin boroughs of Peapack/Gladstone has other exceptional restaurants as well, which I will discuss in future blogs.
Posted by:Bella Wilgus
As you have previously read, I have been a Realtor® for 18 years servicing the communities of Somerset, Morris and Hunterdon counties. Since writing blogs about Peapack/Gladstone, I continue to receive questions about this lovely town. One question that seems to be on the minds of many potential buyers is, “How safe is it to live in Peapack/Gladstone?” A friend and neighbor reminded me that a few years ago Money Magazine ran an article about Peapack/Gladstone that stated, “It’s one of the best places to live”. Safety was one of the prime determining factors of their analysis. So, to answer the question about safety, Peapack/Gladstone is one of the safest places to live.
I spoke to the Chief of Police, Greg Skinner, the other day to confirm that fact. Chief Skinner actually grew up in the Twin Boroughs and attended the public schools. His love for the town motivated him to raise his children here and work here. His admiration for the town and its residents has made him an exemplary officer with the determination to maintain Peapack/Gladstone’s excellent reputation. He has a full-time staff of seven officers and two part-time officers. His full-time administrator, Gina, has worked for the town police for 19 years.
Most buyers are concerned with safety factors when looking for a town to live in. If this is your most important criteria when buying a home, then Peapack/Gladstone is the town for you.
I look forward to answering more questions in my next blog. Please feel free to contact me at bwilgus@turpinrealtors.com, or on my cell at 908-930-8495.
Posted by:Bella Wilgus
Pursuant to my previous blog, I have been fortunate to serve the real estate needs of communities in Somerset, Morris and Hunterdon for the past 18 years. I would like to continue to answer questions about the Twin Boroughs of Peapack/Gladstone.
I met one of my clients who purchased a home in town several years ago, and she told me that her family could not be happier. Peapack/Gladstone had quickly become the town they had always dreamed of living in. Her children are doing well in the Somerset Hills School District and since they range in age, she is able to see their experiences at Bedwell Elementary School, Bernardsville Middle School and Bernards High School. The commute to Bernardsville is minimal and fun, especially for her son in high school who has opted to take the train.
A centerpiece of the town is Liberty Park, where her children ice skate in the winter and she and her husband enjoy leisurely nights listening to music at the weekly summer concerts. The Peapack/Gladstone Library,, located in the municipal complex, has adult and children’s programs, and is part of the Somerset Country Library System in Bridgewater.
Peapack/Gladstone’s 5.9 square miles is a mix of home values but is unified in town spirit and pride. The wealthy, socially prominent people of the late 1890’s and early twentieth century built their lavish estates here, such as the George R. Mosle estate which is now the home of the Sisters of St. John The Baptist; Blairsden, the estate of C. Ledyard Blair; Natirar, the estate built for Walter G. Ladd; and Hamilton Farm, built for James Cox Brady. There are a myriad of estate neighborhoods, old and new, that enrich the town of Peapack/Gladstone. Several lovely estates are available for sale at this time.
I look forward to answering more questions in my next blog. Please do not hesitate to contact me at bwilgus@turpinrealtors.com or on my cell at 908-930-8495.
Posted by:Bella Wilgus
As a Realtor for 18 years, I have helped serve the real estate needs of many citizens within the lovely counties of Somerset, Morris and Hunterdon. I am often asked questions about various towns. One town in particular,
Peapack/Gladstone, is where my husband Jim and I raised our daughter, Wendy, and son Jimmy, and have resided for the past 31 years. Referred to as the Twin Boroughs, it is located in the Northeast corner of Somerset County with excellent schools and an easy commute to New York City. Peapack is the original Indian name given by the Lenni Lenape Indians. Around 1890, a resident suggested that part of the town be named after Prime Minister Gladstone. Thus, the name Peapack/Gladstone was born.
The other day a neighbor, who has lived in town for 5 years, asked me where the town’s boundaries were located. A simple way to determine this is to look at the front of the Peapack/Gladstone Bank on Main Street. Gladstone is the village at the left of the bank and Peapack is the town situated on the right.
Fall is a fabulous time of year to visit Peapack/Gladstone because the foliage is absolutely wonderful. Driving through town you will pass the many charming antique homes surrounded by majestic shade trees exploding with fall colors. Many of these homes reveal the early settlement of the town which is estimated to be around 1701.
I look forward to answering more questions in my next blog. Please do not hesitate to contact me at bwilgus@turpinrealtors.com or on my cell at 908-930-8495.
Posted by:Bella Wilgus
Mendham Office
8 East Main Street
Mendham, NJ 07945
Phone: 973-543-7400 ext. 18
Mobile: 908-930-8495
Email:
bwilgus@turpinrealtors.com
View Bella's Listings
A lifelong appreciation of architecture and home styles typifies Bella's genuine interest in real estate. She specializes in luxury homes, new construction and antique residences throughout the region. Having started her real estate career in 1992, Bella put her years of experience to work on behalf of her clients to create mutually acceptable contracts for buyers and sellers.
Skilled in numerous sales techniques, Bella's expertise extends to inventory overviews, marketing strategies and data analysis. A professional approach coupled with personal attention makes her a sales associate that clients truly enjoy working with.
Bella and her husband, Jim, have lived in the area for more than 35 years, putting their children Wendy and Jimmy through the local school system. While raising the children, she worked closely with her husband in his company, Reliable Plastics, Inc. In her role as the firm's marketing director, she developed many of the successful sales skills that also translate to marketing homes.
A New Jersey native, graduate of Kean University and former fourth grade elementary school teacher, Bella possesses a thorough knowledge and understanding of the state's many unique towns and villages. Her input is invaluable when it comes to assisting buyers with their housing decisions.
Making your buying or selling experience stress-free is important to Bella, who focuses on every detail of the transaction. Her personal approach is summed up in a recent conversation when she said, "Real estate is not just a business, but the building of relationships. Every client is treated as a friend, and every friend is treated as family." This philosophy shines through in her caring, committed service. Bella looks forward to assisting you with all your real estate concerns.
