8 Chapel Lane, Mendham 

**SOLD! WE SOLD THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME IN MENDHAM FOR $3,500,000. IT’S THE 2ND HIGHEST SALE IN MENDHAM IN 2023.**

Property Details

Your dream home! This French country masterpiece is strategically sited hillside at the end of a private lane, for ideal privacy and location. Spectacular, private pool with pool house, workshop/guest house and irreplaceable chapel built in 1908. Noted New Jersey architect Al Bol orchestrated the design. Custom built with remarkable attention to detail after numerous trips to France, the residence built of stone quarried from the property offers high ceilings, great natural light, massive wainscoting & moldings, plaster ceilings & walls, 150 year old reclaimed pine floors, radiant heated Spanish Sienna marble floors, antique fixtures & fireplace mantles & custom aged copper gutters & downspout boxes. The gourmet eat-in kitchen features French antique cupboard built into kitchen cabinets, Sienna tumbled marble floor with radiant heat, refrigerator/freezer with custom hand painted surround, large multi-leveled island, built-in massive butcher block, domed ceiling with 3 custom/commercial kitchen lights, Garland commercial 6 burner/grill/double oven, & Farmers sink. The 1st level includes a piano bar off of the grand entrance hall, a family room with 2-story vaulted ceiling & Sandblasted Stone fireplace surround with massive mantle An absolute work of art. This grand home is astutely positioned on 9.15 acres, just off of exclusive Mendham Road.

Main Level (12’ Ceilings)

Entrance Hall: plaster ceilings with French imprint designs, Pillars, double entrance closets, special lights, plus Baltic hardware, 3” thick custom Front door with Baltic hardware and hinges with custom antique glass and lead inserts, copy of White House chandelier.

Living Room: limestone fireplace with English firebox (gas, but full fireplace if desired), magnificent custom built-ins with shell cupolas on each side of fireplace, custom wainscoting – massive detail, plaster ceiling cupola with antique Russian chandelier, custom molded, custom plaster flower surround, delicate crown molding, Louis 14th period, double arches with 18” width wall with molding with grape cluster capitals, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old.

Piano/Bar: enclosed bar with wine racks, art of Paul Oxborough, custom carved panels with wine theme on bar panels, bar sink, ice maker, refrigerator, iron grills for heat and air (throughout house), antique lighted stained glass panel in bar ceiling, central grand stairway to landing with French doors with custom carved railing and ‘grape vine’ balusters, large glass windows and French door directly to garden, Powder room in bar area with built-in Antique Bombe Commode with sink and high marble baseboard.

Dining Room: limestone fireplace with English firebox (gas, but full fireplace if desired), magnificent custom built-ins with shell cupolas, custom wainscoting – massive detail, Plaster ceiling cupola with antique Russian chandelier, custom molded, flower surround, delicate crown molding, Louis 14th period, two double arched with 18” width walls with wainscoted molding and grape cluster capitals, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old, custom ‘Pullman’ door with passage window to pantry.

Pantry: wine cooler, sink, 2nd dishwasher, ice machine, warming ovens, custom glass windowed French cabinets, Pullman rack with rolling stairs for upper cabinet storage, 2” thick Carrera marble.

Main Family Room: Two-story vaulted ceiling with custom bead and board, many full wall transom windows, double French doors with antique French iron hardware to rear garden, Ancient French, Sandblasted Stone fireplace surround with massive mantle, cabinet for full surround sound on main floor, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old.

Country French Kitchen: French antique cupboard built into kitchen cabinets, Sienna tumbled marble floor with radiant heat, refrigerator/freezer with custom hand painted surround, under counter refrigerators x 2, large multi-leveled island with sink and disposal, built-in massive butcher block, domed ceiling with 3 custom/commercial kitchen lights, Garland commercial 6 burner/grill/double oven, Farmers sink.

Sitting / Breakfast Area: Farmer’s fireplace with Delft (purchased by owner in Delft, Netherlands) with under storage wood bin, barn beam mantle, crafted from stone quarried from the property, Spanish marble floor with radiant heating, French door to back garden, massive wainscoting and ceiling molding, octagonal table area with custom French chandeliers.

Kitchen Family Porch: full mahogany coffered ceiling, mahogany wainscoting, fully surrounded with mahogany windows overlooking back garden and pool, tumbled, sienna, marble floor with radiant heating, French door to back garden patio, built-in antique, marble topped, candy store counter piece with antique mirror backdrop.

2nd Office: specialty built-in desk with wrapping paper drawers, wrapping table top, plus computer space with 2” Carrera marble top and file cabinets, large storage closet, massive moldings, tumbled, Sienna, marble floor, antique post office, glass door entrance.

Laundry Room: entrance via Dutch door with marble sill, 2” Carrera marble counter folding space with under counter washer/dryer, laundry sink, finishing sink, dog wash area with spray and drains, tumbled marble floor, many storage cabinets with utility closet, custom stained glass door to porte cochere, specialty ceiling with significant moldings.

Back Hall / Closet: entrance to back stair to 2nd level with full moldings, walk-in closet with built-ins / back hall to garage door, utility door to lower level in back hall, large bathroom with farmers sink, marble floor, tiled walls, faux window.

Garage: four extra wide, extra long space with epoxy floor and custom mahogany doors (automatic), heated, hot and cold water.

Workshop / Guesthouse: heat, hot and cold water, was designed to be a guest house but owner is a model builder and likes to maintain things on the property.

Reading Room: built-in cherry cabinets and shelves, coffered ceiling with hand painted inserts of the French Provinces, double French door to back garden with transom windows, double French cherry doors to gallery hall with transom windows, antique hand carved oak mantle with English gas firebox.

Primary Bedroom Suite

Primary Bedroom: plaster ceiling with French inspired fret designs, massive custom molding in all area with special ceiling moldings, large custom built-in with shelves, drawers, custom shell moldings, all chandeliers are custom to the house, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old.

Sitting Area: hand carved soapstone fireplace with gas English Firebox (Full Function fireplace if desired), massive custom molding in all area with special ceiling moldings, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old, Transom windows from hallway with French Doors, Antique French Steel Hardware.

Transitional Area with Ladies Make up Area: built-in dressing table with marble top, antique mirror surround with significant detail, built-in display case with lighted glass shelves and cupboard with significant woodwork, radiant heat in Carrera marble floor.

Walk-in Closet: custom cabinets, grilled doors for upper storage areas, Pullman ladders to storage areas, two windows in closet for wonderful lighting, small dressing table in closet, radiant heat in Carrera marble floor.

Spa-like Primary Bath: Jacuzzi tub, large walk-in shower with French nickel hardware, double sinks in custom cabinets with antique mirrors and special moldings, radiant hear in Carrera marble floor, separate toilet room, elaborate ceiling treatment, French balloon chandelier, large linen closet.

Gallery (90 feet): curved hand plastered dome ceiling, antique stained glass separators, White House replica hall chandeliers, custom wainscoting – massive detail, glass French door to lower level, Spanish Sienna – 1” thick marble 2’ x 2’ laid on 2” thick concrete base with radiant heat, cast iron grills on all heating/cooling ducts in home, lighted plaster cupolas at each end of hallway with marble bases.

Upper Level

Upstairs Primary Bedroom Suite (at head of stairs): Sitting room with French doors to small portico, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old, retro Italian Carrera Marble sink, walk-in shower with full glass enclosure, aerated soaking tub, bathroom dormer overlooking front garden, all nickel bathroom fixtures, flat panel TV installed, lighted magnifying shaving mirror in bathroom, period wallpaper (copies from French 1878), antique French iron hardware on all doors, two full closets with built-ins of finished birch and drawers, dressing alcove between bedroom and bath, French interior design, substantial built-in cabinets with heavy molding in both sitting room and bedroom, bedroom dormer overlooking front garden.

Hall Bedroom (blue): dormer in bedroom overlooking rear garden, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old, retro Italian Carrera Marble sink, tub shower with full glass enclosure, all nickel bathroom fixtures, bathroom dormer, lighted magnifying shaving mirror in bathroom, period wallpaper (copies from French 1878), antique French iron hardware on all doors, large full closet with built-ins of finished birch and drawers, French interior design, dressing alcove between bedroom and bath, plaster ceiling designs.

Hall Bedroom (twin beds): dormer overlooking front garden, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old, retro Italian Carrera Marble sink, tub shower with full glass enclosure, all nickel bathroom fixtures, flat panel TV installed, lighted magnifying shaving mirror in bathroom, period wallpaper (copies from French 1878), antique French iron hardware on all doors, large full closet with built-ins of finished birch and drawers, French interior design, plaster ceiling designs – wall and chandelier.

Bedroom (end of hall): dormer, overlooking stream and with wide window seat, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old, retro Italian Carrera Marble sink, tub shower with full glass enclosure, all nickel bathroom fixtures, bathroom dormer, period wallpaper (copies from French 1878), antique French iron hardware on all doors, cute door to bedroom attic, French Boudoirs bed, two full closets with built-ins of finished birch and drawers, dressing alcove between bedroom and bath, French interior design, flat panel TV installed, lighted magnifying shaving mirror in bathroom.

Bedroom 5 (end of hall prior to back hall): Octagonal room with peaked ceiling overlooking rear garden, very interesting walls and alcoves, full width window seats in octagon alcove, reclaimed heart pine floors over 150 years old, retro Italian Carrera Marble sink, tub shower with full glass enclosure, all nickel bathroom fixtures, flat panel TV installed, lighted magnifying shaving mirror in bathroom, bathroom dormer overlooking rear garden, period wallpaper (copies from French 1878), antique French iron hardware on all doors, large full closet with built-ins of finished birch and drawers, French interior design, dressing alcove between bedroom and bath, cute children’s door to attic.

Upper Level Hallway: 140 feet long with alcoves for interesting furniture and art placement, open to stairs with custom crafted cherry rails and custom carved balusters with grape designs, landing with French doors to small portico, custom French iron work with Lyre design overlooking music room from upstairs hallway, antique baluster from Country Church with grape balusters upstairs to attic, large storage closet just outside caretakers apartment.

Upper Level Laundry Room: washer & dryer, Carrera marble and utility closet, tiles floor, door to storage space over Porte Cochere, In-storage area custom copper French round windows.

Caretakers Apartment: full kitchen with stove, refrigerator, sink, eat-in kitchen, full bath with all tile floors and glass doors on shower enclosure, large living room area with dormers to front and back of estate, bedroom with dormer to end garden, storage area through two small, cute doors.

Lower Level

Owner’s Office: ceramic ceiling tile (fire resistant), 8’, owner’s office with ground level walk out through double French glass doors to east garden, double doors to storage hvac plus two large office supply closets with built-in shelves.

Outside Office Room – Guest Seating Area: ceramic ceiling tile (fire resistant) 8’, windows with window wells for light.

Bathroom / Massage / Steam Room: large steam and shower enclosure, farm sink, windows with window walls, large closet.

Lower Level Hall / Gallery: commercial main HVAC/radiant heat/boiler room off hallway, entire lower level with ceramic ceiling tiles for fire retardation and 4 inch wide oak floating floor.

Home Theater: 11 seat, award winning theater, with 12 foot screen, Runco electronics, in Art Deco inlaid woods and specialty ceiling. Seats are leather reclining.

Exercise Room: TV, Full length mirror wall, full complement of exercise equipment.

Pool Table Area: with very large storage closet and speciality benches.

Full Bar with Additional Conversation Seating Area: 8 seat bar, built-in 46” TV, sink, refrigerator, ice maker, custom cabinets of art deco design, Belgium marble counter top.

Wine Cellar (refrigerated): custom redwood wine racks, 1000 bottle capacity, stained glass windows x 2, marble floor.

Exterior Features

Entrance to Property: 1/4 mile blacktop driveway with Suger maple tree alle’, At Mendham road low, stone pillars, at end of Chapel Lane (private road), large stone pillars with antique GAS lights, pass over stone bridge which is over a stream, chipped granite in blacktop with 1/4 steel borders set in concrete completes the drive around Chapel.

Features in general:

• All stone on house and stone walls quarried from the property, sized, powerwashed and sealed
• Wood shingled roof on spaced stringers for longevity
• Multiple lightning rods for full protection
• Underground sprinkler system (44 zones) extends out to furthest Maple tree
• 400 watt generator
• All Bluestone is set on 4” thick base
• All windows custom to the house
• All shutters with working hinges and latches (custom made)
• 2’ thick stucco over mesh with aged multi coloring
• Cast Iron fence surround about rear garden
• Custom aged copper gutters with downspout boxes to underground drains
• Hand forged brass gutters holders
• Antique iron roof fences from France on house and pool house

Front Entrance: Carved limestone surround around front door, custom steel railings over front and rear hall doors based on ancient French Iron Scroll work, GAS lights in antique French street lanterns on each side of front door, Custom French street light designs on all other outdoor sconce style lighting, Belgium block design driveway by front door and port cochere door, limestone steps by front door.

Rear Garden: 2,700 sq foot multilevel bluestone patio with three foot limestone surround of Roman pool, 8 foot high stone wall with cast iron gates to back lawn imbedded with 36 flower pot holdes which are planted with French Geraniums in the summer, decorative Walpole fences and arbors with gate to parking area behind garage, lion head running fountain, antique barn wood and tile roofs over office and reading room French doors.

Pool House: with full kitchen with stove, oven, ice maker, dishwasher plus a full bath with shower, sink, toilet with whimsical tile.

Pool House: with high French peaked roof and custom French copper window, copper gutters and downspouts.

East Garden: outside owners office – walk out with Bluestone path to main drive through a cast iron gate.

Parking area behind garage and driveway: Belgium block with French ‘bee wing’ design over large area for exit and party parking, driveway is 16’ wide which allows parking along one side with adequate space to still use driveway.

Chapel: The Chapel was built in 1908 by Mrs. Balbach who copied a similar chapel in her country of Bavaria. It is Gothic in style and built of un hewn stone. It features a bell from a Mexican convent, a choir loft, and burial crypts in the now sealed basement. The Chapel originally was called Edwards Chapel for Mrs. Balback’s son who died shortly after birth but was later known as “The Little Church in the Wild Wood”. It also features magnificent stained glass windows said to be from Tiffany who worshipped there with other notables. The entire rear of the church has a stained glass window which is curved and 14’ high. The entire church and any broken stained glass was totally restored by Dr. and Mrs. Myers. It has the original pews. There is a deed restriction on maintaining the Chapel in its original condition and use.

Location

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