Tannehill describes general contractor Debbie Buchalski's influence on the house as that of a "Broadway producer with a good script." Her efforts blend seamlessly with the owners' vision, resulting in functional yet aesthetically appealing living space. A spare bedroom by Candace Adler Design in Linwood embodies this: A carpeted table/ottoman stands at the foot of an unexpectedly elegant convertible couch.

Colmar Kitchen & Bath in Margate built the kitchen under Tannehill's supervision. A mural of cobalt blue and white stands as a backdrop for the contemporary stove. Modern appliances are tempered by a farm-inspired sink and faucet imported from England. The adjacent dining room, designed by Surfside Casual Furniture in Somers Point, features wallpaper that outshines the furniture, a delicate painted silk in earth tones.

Asian details appear throughout the house, in the 1920s parchment portraits of an imperial family in a spare bedroom and accents in the master bedroom. Yet flat-screen plasma TVs and high-tech speakers, installed by Shore Sound & Cinema in Pleasantville, are in every room.

- Caroline Berson