Weekend–Down at the Jersey Shore
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If you have never been to the New Jersey shore and think the towns along the entire shoreline are like what you see on the MTV show with Snookie – THINK AGAIN! That show gives New Jersey a tarnished image, when in reality only a small percentage of the towns are like what you see on that show.
Let me take you to the southern end of the state known as Cape May County. It has a whole lineup of beautiful, classy, family oriented seaside towns starting with Ocean City all the way down to the tip – Cape May. If you like seeing beautiful home exteriors –I took lots of photos and you will find them at the end of this post.
Ed and I were invited to spend the weekend with our friends in their brand new house in Stone Harbor, NJ. The weather and their hospitality made for a wonderful weekend getaway. From the Philadelphia area driving “down the shore” only takes about 2 hours depending on the traffic. Sometimes at peak times like Friday night and Saturday mornings the Garden State Parkway southbound is more like the Garden State Parking lot which can get a little stressful, but once you arrive – any traffic stress simply vanishes.
Stone Harbor and Avalon are joined together – to get to most of the towns along the coast on the southern end you have to cross over bridges as most of the towns are islands off the mainland.
You enter the town of Stone Harbor right into the shopping district. Hoy’s 5 and 10 is a popular place.
Lots of shops and restaurants line the street and are popular strolling places.
Bayside at dusk.
and lots of gorgeous homes with lots of white trim and fabulous lighting.
Bayside view of a home –
and the street side.
Classic architectural details everywhere
Clean wide beaches
And beautiful seaside flowers all over town.
Our friends just built this beautiful home. Let me take you on a quick tour. Ed and I had the entire 1st guest floor to ourselves. Our friends have lots of family and nieces and nephews and wanted a place where the family can gather together, but have plenty of room to spread out. The big window on the second floor is in the kitchen. The sink is right under it. As you stand there you can see the bay.
My designing visual mind was on overdrive – so many great looking details to catalog in my brain.
You walk up these steps
and through the front door to be greeted
into a bright cheery foyer on the 1st floor.
Love all the transoms.
The first floor is for guests. It has a screened porch, living area, laundry room, 2 baths, and three bedrooms.
The hallway to the bedrooms.
We stayed in this room.
Black and tan room
A room for when the nieces and nephews come to visit.
Guest room bath and hall bath. Each bathroom had a walk in shower.
Laundry Room
Then it is back to the foyer to go upstairs.
On the second floor there is a screened porch, great room, kitchen, butler’s pantry, desk area, master bedroom and two baths. The ceilings on this floor are cathedral style and covered with bead board and molding. Most of the furnishings are from Ethan Allen. The color on the walls is: Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige at 75% tint.
This is the only shot that came out of the kitchen – the wall to the right is the huge bay window that is counter height to ceiling. It is beautiful. :( no photo. The kitchen is in a U shape that wraps around the center island.
The Master Bedroom
2nd floor hallway bath. Paint color: Sherwin Williams Rainwashed
Looking down at the staircase.
Outside the perfect spot for relaxing. We stayed out here after being on the beach all afternoon. We were hot and sandy and this spot is breezy and shady. A great place to cool off and enjoy a refreshing drink and each other’s company.
I went for a bike ride each morning and took photos of some of the houses I saw along the way. I love seeing houses that look old, but are new.
My favorite one was right down the street from our friends’ house.
Front View
Front Door – love the beveled glass door and the stone walkway.
Side View. I couldn’t get the back view as I would have had to been on a boat.
On a long lot . Love the little shed. Hydrangeas are everywhere – they thrive at the shore.
It was a very enjoyable weekend. Thank you Tony and Annette for inviting us to spend the weekend with you.
Now I am back and will be showing you my progress in my bathroom and a few other little projects once I come back to reality.
If you would like to take a tour of my favorite beach town in Cape May County – you can find it – here.
Oh my gosh! I want to live in one of those houses! They are so stunning. I love the architecture of them, just so homey and welcoming. Your friends house? Wow what a place. I think I most in love with the light fixtures, very fitting for the house and so unique. Lucky you, that is a place I am sure you didn’t want to leave.
Oh my gosh, that other post you did on the Jersey Shore was the first post of yours that I read! I had never even seen the Jersey Shore and your pictures amazed me. Do you remember I asked you about the smell? LOL I only knew of what I had heard. So this means your birthday is coming up…
Oh my goodness, we spent our summers there! I remember the Hoy’s 5 and 10 as if it were yesterday (and the bookstore that was right beside it!). There was a fudge store across the street that was to die for! And my parents let us (goodness we couldn’t have been more then 9 or 10) ride into town to the bookstore and Hoy’s by ourselves. Gosh, that was the late 80’s and VERY early 90s! I miss it! I last saw it in 97 and not much had changed in town (which was nice to see!) but a lot more had changed along the bayside. I need to go back and show my kids just where I use to vacation! Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
There is so much to swoon over in your pictures. I was initially reeled in by the hydrangeas but the further down I scrolled, the more in love I fell. Thanks so much for sharing – your friends have wonderful style.
Diane, thanks so much for taking us along and showing us these gorgeous homes with the beautiful yards. Love your friend’s house. How wonderful to have a home like that on the beach.
Um, Diane, did you tell your friends I’ll be visiting this summer? LOL!
That house is a-maz-ing. Love the details with all the beadboard/woodwork and subtle beachy touches. I’m in love with the dining room chandy, too (in fact, all the lighting choices are lovely). Just tell them I’ll take the black and tan room, thanks. ;)