Elegant & Stately Historic Old Short Hills Home

New Listing For Sale! 128 Forest Dr Short Hills, NJ 07078

Call The Sue Adler Team For More Information 973-936-9129

Price: $1,995,000

Elegant craftsmanship is evident throughout this stately recently updated 6 BR, 6 full and 2 half bathroom historic Old Short Hills colonial. Built in 1912 as one of the original Hartshorn residences, this gracious home has been updated throughout, nestled privately on over an acre of lush, sprawling lawns and magnificent English gardens. Boasting original woodwork and exquisite period details at every turn, along with modern upgrades - light drenched sun room with Pella windows, decorative fireplaces, gorgeous detailed moldings throughout, unique curved plaster wall and ceiling details, rear patio with DCS grill station, chef's kitchen with granite counters and coffered ceiling, stunning slate roof - this home is a testament of timeless beauty renovated to sheer perfection!

Welcome to 128 Forest Drive where elegance and craftsmanship abound in this stately historic home.  Built in 1912 as one of the original Hartshorn residences on over an acre of lush lawns and magnificent gardens, this gracious brick colonial boasts all original woodwork and exquisite period details at every turn.

Step into the grand Entry Foyer featuring warm hued hardwood floors with a decorative inlaid border, deep crown moldings and a spectacular Waterford crystal chandelier for your first glimpse of all this home has to offer. Proceed through a broad archway into the distinguished Living Room where an impressive wood-burning fireplace with marble surround serves as a focal point to the room that boasts a full wall of seeded glass windows, ornate built-in shelves and striking ceiling beams. These unique features set the perfect mood for an intimate family gathering or a festive party with friends. Oversized French doors with original brass hardware lead to a Sun Room that’s drenched in warmth from the sun’s rays streaming in from windows on 3 sides. Guests are sure to be impressed as they proceed into the formal Dining Room highlighted by hardwood floors, an attractive wood-burning fireplace with carved wood mantel and travertine surround and access to a nearby Butler’s Pantry. It’s the perfect setting to enjoy a gourmet meal prepared in the adjacent chef’s dream Kitchen outfitted with Wood Mode cabinetry, top of the line stainless steel appliances accented by fine granite countertops. The two-tiered center island assures plenty of space for food preparation and serves as a convenient Breakfast Bar for a quick morning or late night snack. This open and airy set-up is adjacent to the Breakfast Room nestled in a nearby windowed alcove and overlooks a large Great Room with built-in desk, glass fronted cabinets and storage and plenty of room to relax in front of a big screen TV at the end of the day. Outdoor entertaining is a breeze as you step through the Mud Room doors to the expansive brick paver patio and Outdoor Kitchen with a built-in DCS grill. Picture the space with multiple tables and lounge chairs, appetizing smells coming from the barbeque grill and English gardens with flowers blossoming in the background. A fully quipped Laundry Room and elegant Powder Room complete the first level living space.

When it’s time to retire at the end of the day, everyone will find their own personal haven in one of 4 bedrooms and 4 en suite bathrooms located on the second level of the home.

Luxury abounds in the Master Bedroom Suite featuring hardwood floors, a brick fronted fireplace and original solid brass window and door hardware. Light streams through the many large windows as you step through French doors into the adjacent Sitting/Dressing Room where 2 walk-in closets provide plentiful storage space amid abundant light from windows on 2 sides of the room. To the left is a well-appointed en suite bath with walk-in shower, marble topped Ethan Allen vanity and separate commode.  Three additional bedrooms, each with plenty of closet space, en suite baths and unique period details assure privacy and comfort for family and guests. But that’s not all…a third level boasts a full “apartment” set-up with 2 additional bedrooms, 2 full baths, a Living Room and a full Kitchen – an ideal arrangement that provides so many private options for older children and guests alike.

And there’s more…a finished lower level sports a large Recreation Room with built-in shelves, decorative paneled walls and travertine tile floor.  It’s the perfect place to gather around the brick fronted fireplace for family conversation or a game night with friends. A large open unfinished area is ideal for a workshop and a storage room assures enough space to meet all your needs. Convenient backyard and free standing garage access is a plus as well.

This home is a testament of timeless beauty renovated with sheer perfection. With its classic style, park-like grounds and close proximity to world-class shopping, fine restaurants and a Blue Ribbon school district, 128 Forest Avenue is truly a one-of-a-kind home.

Floor by Floor Details of 128 Forest Drive, Short Hills

First Level

• Entry Foyer with deep crown molding, hardwood floors with inlay border, recessed lighting, Waterford crystal chandelier, coat closet and archway with solid wood pocket doors to Living Room
• Living Room with hardwood floors, dentil moldings, beamed ceiling, recessed lighting, full wall of seeded glass paned windows, oversized French doors with original brass hardware, built-in bookshelves, wainscoting with decorative paneling, fireplace with black gold marble surround, carved wood mantel and brick hearth and 2 additional sets of French doors to Sun Room
• Sun Room with Pella windows on 3 sides, stucco walls, carpet, supplemental baseboard heat, crown moldings
• Powder Room with full mirrored wall, marble floor, decorative vanity with marble top and turn of the century crystal chandelier
• Dining Room with hardwood floors, seeded glass windows, crown moldings, chair rail and deep base moldings, recessed lighting, decorative medallion for chandelier, decorative fireplace with carved wood mantel and travertine surround, swinging door to Butler’s Pantry and Kitchen
• Kitchen featuring Wood Mode cabinetry, coffered ceiling, granite counters, tumbled marble backsplash, ceramic tile floor, stainless steel sink, high-end appliances including, stainless steel Wolf double oven and cooktop, SubZero refrigerator with matching cabinetry panel, built-in GE Profile microwave, 2-tiered center island with granite counters and breakfast bar, recessed lighting, open to Breakfast Room and Great Room
• Breakfast Room with 3 large windows, angled ceiling and ceramic tile floor
• Butler’s Pantry with built-in storage, glass front cabinets, granite counters, recessed lights, ceramic tile floor and swinging door to Dining Room and access to Laundry Room
• Laundry Room with washer/dryer, storage cabinets and recessed lighting
• Family/Great Room featuring built-in cabinetry (matching Kitchen cabinetry) with tumbled marble backsplash, glass fronted cabinets and storage below, built-in desk and access to Mud Room
• Mud Room with large closet and access to brick paver patio and outdoor kitchen

Second Level

• Gallery landing with hardwood floors
• Master Bedroom featuring hardwood floors, fireplace with wood mantel and brick surround, windows with solid brass hardware, recessed lighting, en suite bath with Ethan Allen marble topped vanity, tile floor, bead board wall, separate commode including with glass door walk-in shower with built-in bench, recessed lights and linen closet with shelves and drawers
• Master Sitting Room/Dressing Room featuring French doors with brass hardware, carpet, exposed brick wall (original exterior wall), 2 walls of Pella windows with Levelor blinds, 2 walk-in closets and ceiling fan/light
• Bedroom #2 with refinished hardwood floors, crown molding and deep base molding, plaster walls with curve to ceiling, baseboard heat, built-in shelves/storage and en suite Bath with dressing area with window, double closet with mirrored doors, built-in dresser, tile floor, tiled walk-in shower, vanity with ceramic tile counter, recessed lights and glass block wall
• Bedroom #3 featuring decorative fireplace with wood mantel and decorative side columns, 4 windows with Roman shades, hardwood floors, recessed lights, closet with shelving and en suite bath with soaking tub, walk-in shower with glass door, vanity and medicine chest
• Hallway Summer Closet with carpet, full wall of built-in shelving/drawers, window and light fixture
• Bedroom #4 with recessed lights, hardwood floors, crown molding, plaster walls with curve to ceiling, closet and updated en suite bath featuring large walk-in shower, half bead board wall, ceramic tile floor, vanity with marble top, fixture above framed mirror

Third Level

• Bedroom #5 with arched ceiling, arched windows, hardwood floors, track lighting, closet and ceiling fan with light
• Full Hall Bath #1 with marble topped vanity, walk-in shower with white subway tile walls, ceramic tile floor and arched alcove
• Hall Bath #2 with tub, new pedestal sink, arched window, light fixture
• Living Room with hardwood floors, ceiling fan/light, cedar closet and window to front of home
• Kitchenette with hardwood floor, compact stove and refrigerator, cabinets, sink, marble topped counter and window facing backyard
• Bedroom #6 with angled ceiling, closet, hardwood floors, and light fixture

Lower Level

• Recreation Room with fully paneled walls, travertine tile floor, built-in shelves, fireplace with brick front and wood mantel, grade level windows and baseboard heat
• Utility Room
• Large Storage Room with closet
• Open unfinished workshop area with shelves and access to backyard

Additional Features/Upgrades

• All brick home built in 1912 in original Hartshorn historic district
• Brick paver cul-de-sac leading to free-standing 2 car garage (new roof 2012) with electric door
• 1+ acres of sprawling lawns and English gardens with multi zone underground sprinkler system
• 2 Zone Heat/AC
• Oversized hot water heater
• Slate roof overhaul (2015)
• Sanding and staining of the steps from the first floor back staircase to the third floor living area (2015)
• New Furnace (2015)
• Sub-Zero Refrigerator Thermostat replaced (2015)
• Dining room fireplace travertine exterior (2015)
• Exterior trim repainted (2015)
• Two bedrooms wood floors repair, sanded, stained (2015)
• Kitchen cabinets repainted (2015)
• Third floor bathroom renovation/plumbing replacement (2015)
• Two bedroom floors, Master and room next door wood floors, sanded, repaired and stained (2015)
• Third floor hall bathroom update (2015)
• Full house interior painting, wallpaper removal, plaster walls and moldings repaired throughout (2014)
• Generator (2013)
• Basement dehumidifier system (2013)
• Bedroom #4 bathroom (2012)
• Terrazzo floor in Basement (2011)
• Overhaul of DCS outdoor grill (2010)
• Living room fireplace black gold beveled marble exterior (2010)
• Master sitting room carpet (2010)
• Stair and hall carpet (2008)
• First floor powder room (2007)

[map id="144"]