Nestled atop the sloping hillside overlooking Blackwood Lake, this stylish, one-of-a-kind home is a true delight to the senses. Custom-designed and built by Thomas Madden in 2007, this elevated two-story boasts 3800 square feet of luxury living space with 180-degree views of the lake below. With its serene setting & unassuming location on the outskirts of town, this Washington Township beauty gives the illusion of remoteness, but offers convenient access to several major travel routes & is mere minutes from ample local shopping, dining, & entertainment venues. As if torn from the pages of an Architectural Digest magazine, this sprawling, modern raised-rancher offers unparalleled workmanship & sophisticated design elements that exude simple, modern elegance at every turn while unexpected details fill the home with wonderfully unique character. The open floor plan creates a layout that is equally functional, flexible, & chic. Banks of strategically placed windows provide optimal views of the property from nearly all rooms, while filling the interior living space with abundant, natural light resulting in an atmosphere that is simultaneously airy & comfortable. The interior design is a sophisticated palette of neutral tones & natural finishes that complement the dwelling’s serene outdoor surroundings. On the main level, hickory wood floors & cedar-clad, cathedral ceilings add warmth & casual elegance to the home’s living & dining spaces. Free-standing partition walls delineate the large, open area into separate spaces without sacrificing the home’s light & airy feel. To the right of the foyer entryway, is the formal living room which can alternatively serve as the home office thanks to French pocket doors that can isolate this room from the rest of the home. Adjoining the living room is the formal dining room with access to the sprawling, gourmet kitchen. Here, hickory cabinets, tiled flooring, granite counters, tiled backsplash, stainless steel appliances, & a built-in butler’s nook w/wine cooler add stylish functionality to the home’s central hub of activity. Taking center stage in this stunning kitchen is the cooktop island that serves double duty as a prep station & conversation area, while a separate dining area within the kitchen offers room for casual family meals. Adjoining the kitchen is the spacious family room with its dramatic stacked-stone fireplace. Sliding glass doors from the family room & kitchen lead to the spacious outdoor deck overlooking the lake where you can enjoy views of the natural landscape, serve an unforgettable meal to your guests under the retractable awning, or cozy up to watch a sunset. Off the kitchen is a walk-in pantry, guest bath, laundry room, & access to the garage. Completing the main floor is the sunny, master bedroom with lakeside views & a large master bathroom with dual vanities, walk-in shower, soaking tub, & huge walk-in closet. Downstairs the lower level (above-grade finished basement) of the home mimics the footprint of the main floor. At the center of the floorplan is the stunning 30’x35’ entertainment room flanked on opposing sides by the home’s 3 additional generously-sized bedrooms & 2nd full bath. Textured, Berber carpet dresses up this space & two sets of 3 paneled sliding doors lead to the screened-in lower deck & overlook the lake creating a create a virtual “glass wall” that connects the indoor & outdoor entertaining spaces. Enjoy the privacy & seclusion of this enclosed deck where you can sit & relax taking in views of the surrounding natural landscape. Whether you opt to simply maintain the existing terrain as these homeowners have done, or go all out with manicuring the sloping backyard with hedges, trees, shrubbery, additional decking and/or some hard landscaping, the choice is yours. Pride of ownership is evident in the exceptional details of this home’s construction & maintenance. With so much to offer, this is truly a home beyond compare!