DESIGN by GINNY PADULA, TOWN & COUNTRY DESIGN STUDIO
PHOTOGRAPHY by TORI SIKKEMA
TEXT by NAYDA RONDON
For one Manasquan family of six, waking up in their home never gets old. Though they’ve lived here since July 2024, the experience still feels a bit like a dream—one shaped by patience and the steady guidance of designer Ginny Padula of Red Bank-based Town & Country Design Studio (TCDS).
Raised in modest households, the couple—he’s the CEO of a structural engineering firm; she’s a former special education teacher turned full-time mom—spent years imagining what home could be. Today they find themselves in a custom, 11,000-square-foot modern farmhouse with six bedrooms and eight bathrooms along the river’s edge. It’s a place where the husband, an avid fisherman, can reel in relaxation and their four kids, ages 2 to 12, have ample room to grow.
Helping bring that vision to life were Ginny Padula and husband Lou Padula of Padula Builders in Manasquan. A friendship between Lou and the homeowner, sparked by a shared love of fishing, became the foundation for a years-long collaboration. What began as a simple connection evolved into a design journey marked by reimaginings, restarts and a clearer sense of what truly mattered. “This was a custom build from day one,” the wife says. The couple purchased the property in 2019, demolished the original cottage and began building in 2021. But an earlier, more elaborate design stalled during COVID, and that pause became a turning point. “Because everything was at a standstill, we had time to really talk and review,” she recalls. “We realized the original design was simply too much and not what we wanted.” With their architect, they restarted with a simpler, more intentional layout.
As first-time custom builders, they found the learning curve steep. “It felt like forever,” the wife says. “I don’t think I’d build again. Maybe.” (Pause.) “Likely not! But Ginny and Lou helped us through every hurdle.”
Countless texts, calls and on-site meetings built a trust that made each decision feel manageable. “Ginny helped with the overall aesthetic and feel,” the wife adds. “Furniture, lighting, hardware, everything. She was personable, understanding, flexible. Whenever I changed my mind, she talked me through it.”
Consistency was the guiding compass. “The design strategy was to create flow from room to room,” Ginny recalls. “The clients wanted an elevated farmhouse interior with black-and-white finishes. It had to be family friendly, with room to enjoy together and entertain.” While the homeowners kept cherished pieces, many furnishings and accents—chosen for their beauty and longevity—were sourced through Ginny’s retail shop, The Mercantile by TCDS.
Generous but grounded gathering spaces reflect that aesthetic. The kitchen and great room anchor daily life with custom cabinetry, well-planned pantries and clutter-taming details. “Ginny understood what I meant, even when I only had a picture or a feeling,” the wife says. “Her advice felt like it was coming from a family member.”
From the foyer, sweeping water views draw you into the great room, where a Ballard Designs sofa faces a TCDS- designed fireplace surround fabricated by Padula Builders. Pillows and throws from The Mercantile soften the seating area, complemented by an Elsie Green console table and four blue Uttermost armchairs with custom pillows. A Loloi rug grounds the furniture atop white oak floors, while Benjamin Moore Horizon on the walls and ceiling creates calm continuity.
The kitchen continues the theme of gracious functionality. Custom Town & Country Signature cabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White pairs with Top Knobs hardware; Calacatta Antique quartz countertops and backsplash bring soft veining that catches the river light. A polished-nickel Perrin & Rowe bridge faucet complements a Rohl swing arm pot filler.
Upstairs, the primary suite unfolds as a restorative retreat enveloped in Benjamin Moore Horizon. A custom TCDS bed dressed in Pom Pom at Home fabrics offers luxurious ease at its coziest. A vintage wooden bench and simple side tables adorned with twin framed drawings keep things stylish and balanced. Black-framed French doors open to a private, river-facing deck, their unadorned panes keeping the view—and the room’s understated refinement—front and center.
In the primary bath, crisp black-and-white contrast meets elevated materials. Window walls in Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate play against Horizon-washed surfaces, framing a Signature tub, Rohl fixtures and a custom vanity topped with Statuario Vigaria quartz. Kohler mirrors and Bianco Dolomite porcelain tile underscore the clean geometry as a vintage three-legged wooden stool adds an earthy counter-point. Heated herringbone tile floors, a steam shower and soft finishes complete the spa-like feel.
Today the home conveys an easy sense of calm and contentment. With the hassles behind them, the family gets to live the happy. “It was years of ups and downs,” the wife says. “So to see it come together and settle our family in has been amazing. Each room reflects us. We feel grateful and awed. We designed it, we waited a long time for it and now we get to live here.”
For even more fantastic Garden State spaces, make sure you check out the new issue of NJ HOME!