The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1285484
"We wanted to create a 'wow factor' as soon as guests walked in, using a lot of different elements and not just focusing on one particular piece," explained Gerts, whose turnkey design services encompass the full scope of a project, from concept to completion and including every detail from lighting design to window treatments to picture frames. "When i started this project, I had windows, a water view and a kitchen," Gerts said of the job that took about six months to complete. e homeowner wanted to incorporate Asbury's artistic vibe and local culture steeped in music and give the space, on the building's ninth floor, a gallery-like aesthetic with pieces created by local artists. "Everywhere you turn, there's an interesting conversation piece," said Gerts. Just inside the entrance, Gerts offers visitors a visual feast in the narrow entranceway, which features a series of colorful panels created by artist Michael T. Noonan, whose photographs of man- made materials are manipulated and enhanced to showcase their beauty and texture. Tucked along the opposing wall is a wooden bench craed by local artist Roddy Wildeman, who repurposed materials found in the aermath of Superstorm Sandy, which devastated this part of the Jersey Shore in 2012. Seated atop the bench is a metal sculpture Gerts spotted at a local gallery. She immediately knew the shadowy "invisible man" would be the perfect addition to the hallway gallery and a natural conversation starter. e artwork is surrounded by a combination of eye- catching textures and materials, like the linen grasscloth wall coverings mixed with silver rivets, and long mirrored panels — framed by a pale wood — which reflect the colorful panels across the hallway. "To me, the hallway is the most important room," said Gerts. "You open the door and are completely wow'd by the art gallery that greets you." Moving into the condo's main living area, Gerts said she was presented with a few design challenges: chief among them the lack of overhead lighting that would leave the living area in the dark during the winter months. Her solution was to lower the ceilings and add dimmable highlights and LED perimeter lighting, which she says was a major portion of the project's renovation. "In the evening you can alter the LED colors to really change the mood and ambiance of the space," she said. For good measure, she hid a TV unit in the ceiling that, although the owner's not a frequent tv watcher, can drop down for viewing during get togethers with friends. Two solid walls of windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the open public area created another challenge of sorts for Gerts. "What do you do with one wall and all those windows?" she wondered as she set about designing the space, which included the living room gallery, kitchen and eating area. While the homeowner initially wanted to arrange seating to face out towards the ocean, Gerts encouraged him to position the low-profile sectional couch along one wall of windows, and created a custom wall unit and fireplace as a focal point along the existing blank wall. "I didn't want to compete with the ocean," she explained. "But I wanted to introduce another interesting design element into the room." e adjoining electric fireplace, covered in a sleek and sophisticated porcelain slab, adds the beauty and ambiance of the flame to the room, said Gerts. Ample seating affords all guests an ocean view, whether it's along the sectional that's been configured to provide maximum vistas, or the handsome swivel statement chairs, perfect for a cozy tete- a-tete over a glass of wine. e space's neutral palette lets the ocean take center stage, but Gerts keeps things interesting by mixing textures and using dark accents like the rough hewn ceruse finish on the rounded coffee table, topped with a A 'Wow Factor' the Minute Guests Walk Through the Door Where the Ocean View is the Star (but Supporting Players Share the Stage) V U E N J . C O M 72