Our experience building a custom home began when we found a 5 1/2 acre property in Holmdel with hopes of subdividing and building multiple homes. However, we later discovered that only 2 homes were permitted on 2 1/2 acre plots in this section. There was an old, dilapidated home already standing on the property, but we decided to keep the basement structure and expand it into a modern farmhouse style home.

The project began with a complete demolition of the old house, followed by the framing of the entire home from scratch. We knew that we wanted 9-foot ceilings throughout the house and a 2-story ceiling in the foyer to create a grand entrance. As hosts of monthly spiritual gatherings, a mudroom was a must-have to accommodate multiple guests' jackets and shoes. We also added a large porch that paid homage to our ancestral home in Kerala, India.

As a kitchen designer, an open, spacious kitchen was also essential for me. To accommodate my mom's knee issues, we included a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, along with an office for me to see clients. We also designed a luxurious master suite with a large walk-in closet and a master bathroom featuring a 2-person shower.

Upstairs, we included 4 additional bedrooms, each with its own walk-in closet, and 2 more bathrooms to ensure everyone had enough space. We knew that storage was a priority, so we made sure to include ample closet space in every bedroom.
Overall, building our custom home was an exciting and challenging process. We learned a lot along the way, from navigating zoning laws to designing a home that met all of our unique needs. The end result was a beautiful, functional home that we were proud to call our own.