Some things in life are worth the wait. In the case of Andrea Filippone and William Welch, they spent 18 years putting together their dream home in New Jersey, and it's featured in Elle Decor's latest May 2012 issue.
Filippone and Welch, who are the owners of Tendenze Design, first came upon their 35-acre estate in 1993. Back then it was a desolate plot of land that had nothing but four run-down barns. Naturally, the design-savvy couple saw it as the perfect place for their home and company headquarters. Over the years, the duo connected the four barns together to form an 11,000 square foot live/work space and transformed the surrounding gardens into lush havens.
However, while the exterior of the home has renewed looks, the interior appears as if it has stood the test of time for hundreds of years. Antique furnishings, vintage flea market finds, and sculptures from all around the world can be found throughout the home. Most notable is a unique collection of reclaimed fireplace mantels and Roman-style columns, which sits in a greenhouse that Filippone created to resemble a Renaissance conservatory. In fact, every room feels like it's from a different era in history -- from the Colonial-style bedrooms and dining room to the gardens that are vaguely reminiscent of 18th-century France.
We can only dream of a dream home that's anything close to Filippone and Welch's estate. While the property is undoubtedly extravagant, it's a labor of love, which, we'll have to say, is how we feel about our own homes.
Flip through the slideshow below for a peek inside the couple's grand New Jersey estate. All photos by William Waldron, courtesy of Elle Decor. Your thoughts on the grand home? Let us know in comments below.
