The Coaster
World Class Design Center Opening On Cookman Avenue
Reprinted with Permission by The Coaster Newspaper of Monmouth County 11/20/08
By JOANNE PAPAIANNI
A world class design center is coming to Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, the culmination of three years of planning by home design store owners Robert Legere and Steve Troy.
Located right next door to Robert Legere Homes, the three-story Asbury Park Design Center is a showcase of the best interior design has to offer.
Walking into the lobby, clients and visitors are greeted by an authentic tiger’s eye counter, with Caesarstone counters topping the desk area.
The center, which is hosting an invitation-only Gala Opening Saturday for customers and design professionals, will be a place where high end clients can come to transform or simply decorate their homes in styles found in the most exclusive homes and offices around the world.
On one wall a variety of lighting fixtures from a German designer are on display.
On the second floor a $250,000 kitchen by Gaggenau is installed in an area which faces onto Cookman Avenue, overlooking the park and providing a beautiful view of Wesley Lake.
The kitchen, Troy said, is fully functioning kitchen and can be used by top chefs, such at Emeril Lagasse and Rachel Ray to present promotional or special segments.
Other areas are designed with Viking or Sub Zero applianced kitchens, featuring glass and chrome fixtures.
Two fully designed modern bathrooms, where clients can see first hand the craftsmanship offered, are on site.
Also on site are 7,000 swatches of Kravet Fabrics customers can choose from as they work with designers to decorate their homes or offices.
A complete line of fine rugs provided on a rotating basis, by Feizy Fine Rugs, are also available for customers to choose from.
What makes the Asbury Park Design Center unique, Troy said, are the seven professionals on the design staff with Robert Legere as the creative director.
Depending on the project, said Troy, a team of designers will be assembled to accommodate each client.
“This has taken it to a major level, way beyond where we were,” he said.
Troy said the design professionals on staff have between 10 and 20 years experience.
Other high quality materials include furniture from American leather, Bernhardt and Hurtado along with outdoor furniture by Brown Jordan.
A selection of window treatments by Hunter Douglas and Lutron Electric Shades is also available.
Cabinetry is by Irpinia Kitchens, of Toronto and Signature Custom Cabinetry, a Pennsylvania company.
The Monteforte Architectural Studio, which designed the Cookman Avenue building, will be available for architectural consultation.
Troy said the center will be catering mainly to Monmouth County clientele.
He said they are currently working on six projects withing one mile of the city.
The Cookman Avenue site will also serve as a resource center for designers who would like to visit and make use of the plentiful supplies and materials that can be found there.
Even with a failing economy Troy said there are still people who can afford and want custom crafted interiors.
