43 Woodland Rd., Madison, NJ 07940

From the minute you lay eyes on 43 Woodland Road, you’ll understand that this 5 bedroom, 2.1 bathroom house is very special. Built in the 1940s, it boasts the charm, grace and solid bones of a classic period home but also the infrastructure updates and advantages you’d expect from new construction. From the street, the character and curb appeal are off the charts, thanks to the expansively lush front lawn, gently sloping rooflines, soft white-brick façade accented with black shutters, manicured shrubbery, and a showstopping, recently installed, cedar-shingle roof that adds swoon-worthy warmth and individuality. Close to the Midtown Direct trains, highways, the Short Hills mall, top-ranked schools and vibrant, bustling downtown restaurants and shopping, 43 Woodland is perfectly situated to enjoy the delightful balance of small-town charm and big-town amenities Madison offers.

This house is an entertaining dream, and can confidently host everything from backyard barbeques to fancy dress soirees. Four sets of elegant glass doors on the first floor —in the living room, dining room, family room, and primary suite—all open onto a spacious series of decks. Guests have more than enough space to gather in large groups to chat or, if they prefer, quite a few places to slip away for more intimate conversations. The flat backyard is equally beguiling, hugged by tall trees that offer lots of privacy and is sprinkled with many flowering plants for touches of color from early spring to late fall. A line of six, full-grown, recently planted Norway Spruces, the kind trees that beg for holiday decorations and light snowfalls that stick to their branches, stand guard before a second, smaller section of lawn.

Inside, two wings of the house open up on each side of the charming entry foyer. One wing is devoted to the living spaces, and the other keeps private the guest bedroom, bathroom, and the primary suite. Hardwood floors and thick, period-appropriate baseboard molding run throughout the first and second floors, tying all the spaces together with an inviting, cohesive feeling.

Directly off the foyer, the stately and spacious office/library features a massive wall of shelving and cabinetry, a closet if you need even more storage, and a set of three, bright windows that overlook the serene front yard. Across the hall, the living room offers more excellent examples of 1940s craftsmanship, including pocket doors, glass French doors, reeded trim around doorways, and an utterly charming bowed window, complete with period hardware, that peeks over the front yard.

The living room boasts a cozy wood-burning fireplace and flows easily into the absolutely lovely, sundrenched dining room, a floor plan that makes it easy for guests to move from a sit-down dinner to comfortable conversation on the nearby couches. Light pours into the space from windows covering two opposite walls, and a set of tall glass doors open to the deck and can be flung open in nice weather to encourage indoor/outdoor party flow. The flagstone floor’s varying hues of gray, red and blue add unique allure, but are also a smart, durable, easy-to-maintain choice for a house that’s tailor-made for indoor/outdoor entertaining. Another set of glass French doors, an elegant chandelier, and space for a buffet or China cabinet dress up the space, lending the room an upscale and formal feeling that differentiates it from the eat-in-kitchen.

The kitchen has space for a large dining table, and is the perfect spot for a casual, quieter meal when the dining room isn’t needed. If bad weather keeps you from venturing onto the deck, a glass door and set of windows next to the table mean you’ll still be close to nature. In the summer, sip an early morning coffee on the deck and slip back inside as the sun gets too warm.

The kitchen boasts the same exquisite details as the rest of the home, including crown molding and a pair of built-in corner cabinets with glass inserts,
but also has practical stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops. A butcher-block-topped desk is perfectly placed for multitasking. Pay bills or organize paperwork, stay within arms-reach of boiling pots, and keep a watchful eye on any backyard shenanigans all at the same time.

The living spaces are rounded out by the large-but-cozy Family Room, located at the far end of the house. Like other spaces, it has both French doors and doors to the deck, and is just far enough away that you can turn up the volume on a movie without disturbing anyone trying to sleep in the bedrooms.

At the other side of the house, the first-floor bedrooms are tucked off a hallway that runs behind the kitchen. The guest room is bright and sunny, with hardwood floors and a convenient half bathroom across the hall. The massive, immensely private primary suite is located on this side of the house, too. This impressive, sprawling set of rooms is flooded with natural light thanks to windows on two other exposures and a set of sliding glass doors to the deck. At night or in the early morning, the deck access makes this an indoor/outdoor oasis. At night, slip outside to sit under the stars with a glass of wine and in the morning start the day lounging on the deck, soaking up some circadian-boosting vitamin D. Storage won’t be an issue in the primary suite, thanks to three walk-in closets. Keep delicate and special items fresh and away from pests in the fully lined cedar closet and stash out-of-season clothes in the smaller of the two walk-in closets. The third walk-in closet, which has floor-to-ceiling built-ins, is so expansive you might think you’re in a boutique. In the primary suite’s full bathroom, the deep tub sits under both a skylight and a window, making it the perfect spot to unwind at the end of a long day. Double sinks with ample storage on shelves that reach the ceiling, and a separated toilet area mean this bathroom has space for everything and is easy to share. If you sleep a little cold or like your showers extra hot, the suite has a touch of luxury for you. It has its own, dedicated HVAC system and hot-water heater, making it possible to customize all the temperatures to your own, personal preferences.

Upstairs, three more bedrooms are cozily tucked in the slopes of the roof. All have hardwood floors, windows on multiple exposures, good-sized closets, and ample space for furniture. An updated full hall bathroom is sized for busy mornings, with double sinks so no one has to fight for space to brush their teeth, and a glass-doored shower featuring a band of decorative tile. A nook of shelves is the perfect spot to store extra towels or self-care products.

Down a quick flight of stairs just off the kitchen, the lower level’s roomy recreation room has cozy carpeting and tons of storage for games, oversize extras from big-box stores, or anything else you’d like to keep within arm’s reach but also out of the way. Add a couch and a tv to make this a comfortable second lounge area or playroom or bring in some exercise equipment and the space becomes a functional workout space. Just off this space is a huge laundry room, complete with utility sink and built-in cabinets. Two massive storage/utility areas are pristine and could be easily converted into another office, a yoga studio, or anything else your heart desires.

With its incredible indoor/outdoor flow, exquisite period details, modern amenities, and coveted Madison location, 43 Woodland Road stands above the rest. Don’t miss this gem!

Room by Room Details of 43 Woodland Rd., Madison, NJ 07940

FIRST  FLOOR

• Entry foyer with coat closet, hardwood flooring, semi flush mount lighting, crown molding, baseboard molding, decorative reeded trim around doorways
• Library/Office featuring hardwood flooring, wall of built-in shelving and cabinetry, windows on two exposures, recessed lighting, closet, crown molding, baseboard molding, decorative reeded trim around doorways
• Hallway featuring recessed lighting, semi flush mount lighting, deep utility closet, double doors to the Kitchen, baseboard molding, hardwood flooring, 
• Living Room featuring wood-burning fireplace with white brick surround, hardwood flooring, bow window, double doors to the dining room and pocket doors to the kitchen, baseboard molding, crown molding, decorative reeded trim around doorways
• Sunken Dining Room featuring flagstone flooring, chandelier, french doors to the deck flanked by casement windows, oversized windows, French doors to family room, baseboard molding
• Family Room with glass French doors to Dining Room, hardwood flooring, recessed lighting, ceiling fan, windows on three exposures, glass door with glass side panels to deck, closet, baseboard molding, decorative reeded trim around doorways
• Eat-in Chef’s Kitchen featuring crisp white cabinetry, built-in wine rack, built-in desk with butcher block countertop, hardwood flooring, tile backsplash, granite countertops, breakfast bar, KitchenAid stainless dishwasher, GE stainless microwave, Samsung stainless refrigerator/freezer, Samsung stainless range, recessed lighting, built-in corner cabinets with glass doors, breakfast area, crown molding, baseboard molding, door to deck
• Powder Room decorative tile flooring, Kohler decorative floral sink, recessed lighting, tile countertop, baseboard molding.
• Hallway to primary suite featuring linen closet, recessed lighting, hardwood floors, baseboard molding
• Sunken Primary Bedroom Suite featuring hardwood floors, bow window with window seat, vaulted ceiling with ceiling fan, three-panel sliding glass door to deck, baseboard molding, chair rail molding, crown molding, Cedar-lined closet, Two walk-in closets with custom built-in shelving, pocket doors and recessed lighting
• Primary Bathroom featuring baseboard molding, crown molding, recessed lighting, tile floors, built-in tub with marble, vanity with double sinks, skylight, separate toilet area, shower with glass door and tile surround
• Bedroom 5, featuring hardwood floors, two windows, baseboard molding, closet

SECOND FLOOR

• Second Floor Hallway featuring hardwood flooring, two semi flush mount lighting fixtures, linen closet, baseboard molding
• Full Hall Bath featuring semi flush mount light, tile floor, window, shower/tub with decorative tile surround, glass door and recessed light, vanity with double sinks, recessed lighting, sconce, baseboard molding, built-in storage
• Bedroom 2 featuring hardwood floors, windows on two exposures, baseboard molding, partial crown molding, semi flush mount lighting, two closets (one hanging, one built-in shelving), crawl-space access, sloped ceiling
• Bedroom 3 featuring semi flush mount lighting, hardwood floors, baseboard molding, sloped ceiling, windows on two exposures, closet
• Bedroom 4 featuring hardwood floors, two windows on two exposures, crawl-space access, recessed lighting, closet

LOWER LEVEL

• Recreation Room featuring carpeting, walk-in closet with built-in shelving, second closet with built-in shelving, baseboard molding, recessed lights, one basement window, built-in bench seating, doorway to laundry room
• Laundry Room featuring laminate flooring, washer/dryer, utility sink, drop ceiling with recessed lighting, baseboard molding, upper and lower cabinetry, basement window
• Large Utility/Storage Room featuring painted cement flooring, HVAC system, hot water heater and water softener
• Storage Room featuring second HVAC system and hot water heater
• Two sump pumps

FRONT/BACK YARD

• Large detached two-car garage featuring ½ moon window, pull-down stairs to attic storage, door to exterior, windows on two exposures, cedar-shingle roof
• Expansive multi-level wood deck
• .635 acre flat yard with tons of privacy

UPDATES & ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Entire Yard Sprinkler System (2021)
• 6 recently planted large Norway Spruce trees (2021)
• Replaced Cedar-shingle Roof on house and garage (2017)
• Many new Andersen windows (2017) 
• New Primary Suite HVAC system (2020)
• Whole-house water softener (2022)
• Alarm System
• Wi-Fi booster