OUTSIDE THE BOX

Written by Jenna Cowperthwaite

Matthew Gaudet-Walters, Director of Business Development at The Walters Group, is a passionate person by nature, but his creative energy and dedication really shine through in his projects with Walters Homes. He is an outside-the-box kind of thinker, whether it be troubleshooting layout issues to comply with various building codes or pushing the envelope on design. In 2019 Matt began work on a completely new kind of project with a Harvey Cedars beachfront estate. While Walters Homes works closely with their clients to create whatever style they are looking for, most of the homes ultimately fall into a coastal-transitional aesthetic. However Matt had visions of introducing his own personal flavor of modern luxury in his latest undertaking, showing the caliber of what’s possible within the Walters Homes and Architecture umbrella. The end result? A masterful fusion of NJ coastal vibes meets SoCal, infused with added inspiration from Miami modern and Hamptons elegance.

Matt spent a great deal of time on design research to create this unique look, and he worked closely with their in-house award-winning architect, Arnie Boyle, to compose a true masterpiece. And while Walters’ 3-d modeling program presents an unparalleled experience in simulating a true rendering of each completed house, it was still an absolute thrill to view the actual finished product.

The initial impression of this ultra-high-end oasis immediately conveys the message that one is about to enter something exceptionally different. The striking white concrete platform steps lead directly to the front door, though you can’t help but feel beckoned to first round the corner into the front yard. Nestled behind the dunes, deep green turf grass presents a dramatic contrast against the sleek grey exterior of the house and is a delightful departure from the traditional stoned yards of most of our island homes. A large stone fire pit surrounded by ample seating offers a cozy place to relax under a summer night sky. The adjacent covered patio gives year round access to the outdoors, boasting a complete kitchen and dining area. Off to the side, a pool surrounded by lush landscaping rounds out the outdoor entertainment space. Two showers are tucked into the interior of the patio to lend privacy while allowing visitors to bask in the glory of an outside shower at the beach. Perfectly marrying visual elegance with practicality, the requisite storage area accommodates surfboards, umbrellas and other beach-going items.

Upon entering the home, a clean, modern hallway leads visitors to a gorgeous staircase spanning all three floors. With floating, bleached oak treads and clear glass railings, the stairs feel as airy as an ocean breeze and keep the open-concept space flowing gracefully. At the touch of a button, inlaid lights illuminate one’s steps as you move from one level to the next, a subtle yet luxurious feature.

On the second floor, three guest suites, one with an adjoining bedroom, ensure that everyone is comfortable during their stay. Each suite reveals exquisite views of the beach, ultra-plush bedding and beautiful wood flooring. A bonus living room provides the ideal space for children to gather and an outdoor terrace allows guests to enjoy a private morning cup of coffee with the peaceful sound of waves crashing. An office situated on this level affords a quiet workspace with a sliding glass door, showcasing a built-in desk and shelving.

Each en-suite bathroom, as well as the two powder rooms, is the epitome of comfortable opulence. Floating quartz infinity sinks with wall mounted faucets flawlessly echo the streamlined nature of the living quarters. The stacked marble showers and heated marble floor are meticulously designed to please the subconscious eye. Back-lit mirrors add balanced, soothing light.

The main level of the house, however, is where the magic happens. Natural sunlight pours in through the floor-toceiling windows around the perimeter; unless, however, with the touch of a button again, one lowers the hidden recessed light-filtering shades. For added privacy during the evening hours, recessed black-out shades are also available. The open floor plan encourages one to take in the luxurious detailing and high quality design features throughout the space. A long dining table set designed in California bestows plenty of seating for large dinner parties and is positioned with easy access to the kitchen, while still creating a space of its own.

The sixteen foot long kitchen island lived to tell the tale of a seamless piece of concrete being lifted by crane to cap the cabinetry and has proved to be well worth the hassle. The black concrete is repeated in the adjacent full-wall backsplash and presents a beautifully stark contrast to the clean white cabinetry. With builtin refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher panels, plus a double oven housed in the island, any chef can be comfortable working in the kitchen despite its good looks. Adding to the unrivaled entertainment value of the whole package, a crowd-facing sink allows continued connection between dinner party guests and hosts, while a cozy, yet streamlined seating area provides a space to wind down. For those looking to keep the party going, a pair of huge sliding glass doors completely opens the east-facing wall to unveil all the glorious ambiance of the beach, along with additional seating.

Beautiful wood ceilings extending seamlessly from the porch to the interior add a warmth to the house that perfectly balances the crisp, modern feeling. Glass panels along the outside deck again tie the interior and exterior of the house, echoing the aforementioned staircase, but more importantly showcase an unimpeded view of the one hundred feet of direct ocean frontage.

The master suite is also on the third floor of the house, continuing the expansive ocean views. A custom walk-in shower flaunting five shower heads is paralleled by an impressive vanity and separate water closet, making the master bath an oasis unto itself. The walk-in closet directly off the bathroom houses meticulous organization and a comfortable place to dress.

The many nuances that make this home the striking estate that it is are the result not only of Matt’s extraordinary vision, but also of using a local architect who understands the integral building blocks of our island. Walter’s in-house team does their due diligence on every property, intimately aware of the ins and outs of particular zoning laws and important features for beach-living. The partnership between Matt and his father Ed, founder of Walters Group, allows their team to execute at the highest level for a broad range of projects, resulting in an optimal customer journey experience.

Since completion, Matt has embraced the priceless opportunity to spend a great deal of time in this unique home to further refine the design and foundational elements; fuel to perfect his concept in a new project.

CAtHy AND tErry MOELLEr | SEA BrEEzE rEALty

510 N BAy AVENuE uNIt 105 BEACH HAVEN, NJ

609-492-8800 | CELL 609-709-2779

New Custom Oceanfront Estate on 125 feet of oceanfront frontage featuring 7 bedrooms, 7 full baths and 2 half baths, 3 story elevator makes it easy to access all 3 floors of this custom estate. First floor features 2 bedrooms with Jack and Jill baths a custom gym with full bath, steam room and sauna. Second floor has (3) ensuite bedrooms, family room with fireplace and best of all indoor pool with attached dining area all over looking the ocean. Third floor has the Master Bedroom Suite with custom marble full bath and direct access to the second pool facing the south exposure. Across the hall is another bedroom with full bath or can easily be used for a home office. The Kitchen is any Chefs delight featuring custom cabinetry, large Wolfe Range and Miele Appliance adjoining is a Butlers pantry where you find a second refrigerator and dishwasher. The large dining area with wet bar is next to the living room with custom picture windows to capture the amazing oceanfront views. This home must be seen to be appreciated all the custom extras throughout. If that is not enough the home comes completely furnished by one of LBI’s top designers.

$7,695,000.00