Inside Ocean Grove

Annual House Tour Opens the Doors to a Community’s History As Well As Its Present.

The moment you step into the district of Ocean Grove, the charm of a proud community is evident. Whether you stroll through town on a summer day or attend one of the many locally sponsored events, a day in Ocean Grove promises design inspiration and clever ideas for relaxed summer living. The Design NJ staff was fortunate to be in town during the 48th Annual Historical Society House Tour, sponsored by the Historical Society of Ocean Grove. We enjoyed the day taking in the charm of this historic community nestled in Monmouth County. Here we share a few of the many inspired takeaways from a day well spent.


Historical Architecture

The moment you step into the district of Ocean Grove, the charm of a proud community is evident. Whether you stroll through town on a summer day or attend one of the many locally sponsored events, a day in Ocean Grove promises design inspiration and clever ideas for relaxed summer living. The Design NJ staff was fortunate to be in town during the 48th Annual Historical Society House Tour, sponsored by the Historical Society of Ocean Grove. We enjoyed the day taking in the charm of this historic community nestled in Monmouth County. Here we share a few of the many inspired takeaways from a day well spent.

  • The Great Auditorium built in 1894 takes center stage. This grand building totals 32,225 square feet. The ceiling and stainless steel roof are supported by seven 161-foot trusses and 18 secondary angled trusses built in just 92 days. The auditorium is well known for its extraordinary acoustics.

    Photos By Patricia Burke

  • The Bishop Janes Memorial Tabernacle — located in the middle of town and used for smaller religious meetings — features original, fully functional windows that are opened most of the summer, allowing for cool breezes to keep temperatures comfortable inside.

     

  • Drew and Nina Saunders purchased this 1890s cottage in 2014. The ornate gingerbread trim is painted white, allowing the detail work to take center stage.

     

  • When homeowners Keith and Cathy Reiner rescued this property in 2014, the foundation was crumbling and the wood was rotting throughout. While renovating for modern-day comfort, they were careful to salvage and restore many fine details. These arched double doors date to the Italianate era of the late 1800s; the mailbox is also original to the home.

     


Privacy Solutions

Many residents chose Ocean Grove for the camaraderie of a strong community. Homeowners take careful steps to maintain the community spirit but also take clever steps to achieve privacy when and where needed.

  • David and Arlene Philo have created a secret garden off the back of their award winning Queen Anne-style home. This lovely garden was carefully planned to provide a special place to socialize and relax.

    Photos By Patricia Burke

  • This gorgeous leaded-glass window is suspended on a second story porch at the home of Drew and Nina Saunders. The window allows sunlight to filter through and also gives the owners and guests privacy to enjoy their morning coffee or to relax after a long day.

     


Summer Sleeping

Friends, children, grandchildren and other family members are frequent guests at many summer homes. Ocean Grove homeowners take special steps to make visits special with clever uses of space and casual décor.

  • Historic homes frequently have rooms with unusual shapes and sizes. This can present a challenge for furniture placement. Kathy Maher placed twin beds foot to foot in a guest room to maximize the floor space.

    Photos By Patricia Burke

  • Each guest room is adorned with a chalkboard indicating weekend room assignments at the home of Paul Orefice and Ron Veltri. This personal touch makes everyone feel at home.

     

  • This adorable bunk is tucked on a landing as you go up the stairs from the first to the second floor of Philip and Colleen Stofanak’s vacation home. He made the sides and ladder himself.

     


Decorating Details

Professional designers know the importance of including clever details and thoughtful touches throughout a home. During our day in Ocean Grove we were impressed with many small details that helped turn houses into homes.

  • The frame of this historic photo of Ocean Grove circa 1926 displays a family’s growing collection of beach badges. Philip Stofanak made the frame for wife Colleen’s home office. Memories of summers well spent.

     

  • Tasteful small details such as the small shell trim on the sheer curtain and dried starfish hanging
    from raffia next to the window in the tent home of sisters Carol Bicknell and Marilyn Gill are reminders of the informal lifestyle associated with summers in many New Jersey towns. The starfish above the window is actually painted tin.

     

  • A relic of architectural salvage stenciled with 1891 anchors the space in this casual beach inspired space in the Stofanak home. An old window, original to the house, displays treasured family photos.

     

  • The Stofanaks also renovated their kitchen to offer 21st century comforts. An original brick wall was left exposed and small shelves were built to make use of the space for display. The exposed wall is a great conversation starter that adds history, texture and depth to the newly renovated space.

     


Tent Living

Ocean Grove was initially a camp community for families coming for religious services in erected tents. Today, only 114 tents remain in a semicircle around the Great Auditorium.

  • Each spring, the tent area transforms as canvas is
    erected and “tenters” create unique and wonderful
    homes complete with front porches and lovely gardens.

     

  • On the porch, a post is marked with the names and heights of three grandchildren as they grew. It’s a fond reflection on the passage of time.

     

  • Carol Wilusz waited 16 years for the tent she
    shares with husband Bill. “Living here is like living in the 1950s,” she says. “There is laundry drying on the line, bells ring out the time and we have no air
    conditioning.” A previous owner painted the front door and interior door lime green and purple. It’s now Carol’s favorite color combination.

     

  • Canvas is erected over wood platforms in front of the tents, expanding the living area under a tented space. Behind this is a self-contained wood room containing the kitchen and a bathroom.

     


Thank you to the Historical Society of Ocean Grove, its Annual House Tour Committee and the owners who shared their homes with us. The 50th Annual Ocean Grove House Tour will be held August 3, 2018. For information about the tour or the society, oceangrovehistory.org.