76 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2018
INSIDE JOB
ECLECTIC ESTATE:
BY RUTH BASHINSKY
On a sweltering summer day with
temperatures soaring well into the
90s and local weather reports of a
heat wave, Jovon Tomaselli sits in
his library enjoying the views of
his majestic gardens. On days like
this, he does not mind very much
at all that he doesn’t have central
air-conditioning.
“The house is made from brick and
plaster, they didn’t use sheetrock
back then,” laughs Tomaselli. “We
have window units. The house keeps
everything cool.”
An old-fashioned way of living for
some, but for Tomaselli and his wife,
Sanam, that’s all part of the charm
when you are living in a historic
mansion that dates back to 1888.
Restoring the home that was once
the estate of prominent business leader
John Butler Coles Tappan has been a
labor of love for the couple, who share
an appreciation for old-world style. For
the last few years, they have spent time
restoring the home’s integrity while
adding their own personal touches
along the way.
“I love that time that takes us way
back,” says Sanam. “We have preserved
the whole look of the house
because you cannot find houses like
this anymore. We really wanted to
make this house a home.”
And so they did.
Each level of the four-story Victorian
Colonial set on 1.5 acres features a
different aesthetic with ceilings that
soar 12 feet high and architectural
details that for many homes on Long
Island are now a thing of the past. The
main floor boasts a formal living room,
gourmet-style kitchen with the original
pantry, a billiards room, library
and dining room, aka the “tea room,”
or “the ladies parlor,” as Sanam calls it.
There’s also an outdoor patio and music
room filled with antiques, including
an original telephone booth and birdcage.
Three bedrooms and a master
suite are located on the upper level. The
third story features an attic with three
additional rooms used for storage and
a full basement that Jovon explains “is
as long as the house, 100 feet.”
Most of the renovations were done
on the home’s interior, says Jovon.
That included securing the foundation,
restoring the outdoor porches,
replacing some of the windows and
updating the kitchen with modern
amenities.
The gardens are so spectacular
that Jovon, a professional photographer,
remembers the days when
they were often used as a backdrop
for photo shoots.
“In 2004, we took more than 300
family portraits here,” he says. “It
was before the digital era.”
It is still a tranquil place that
brings great enjoyment to the
couple.
“It’s really a beautiful haven
for us,” says Jovon. “We like to sit
outside on the patio and listen to
music and look at the pond. It’s our
meditation.”
Sanam, who works as a banker,
describes her style as eclectic. An
admirer of Mexican artist Frida
Kahlo and post-impressionist painter
Vincent van Gogh, she draws inspiration
from them and the beauty that
surrounds her.
“I love the color yellow,” she says.
“I love butterflies. I love rabbits, and
I love sunflowers.”
A collector too, she and Jovon enjoy
collecting teacups and picking
up souvenirs from their travels to
display.
“I don’t follow the rules,” she points
out. “I break the rules nicely.”
The exposed
original oak
beams date back
to 1888.
Seven French doors
lead out to the back of
the property, giving the
kitchen a tremendous
amount of light.
The kitchen is
contemporary with old-world
charm. The chandeliers are new
but have that older feel to them.
The owners like that Tuscan look
with the ceramic roosters and
sunflower pitcher from Sicily.
The old radios alongside
each French door add
character too.
An almondcolored
tile floor
that looks like wood
gives the room
warmth.