Category Archives: Artists

Tucked away on a verdant parcel in a New Jersey woodland sits an unexpected midcentury modern gem so rich in architectural pedigree that its design origins are actually tied to the White House.

The glass-walled home in Stockton, NJ, which has just been brought to the market for $2.1 million, looks at first glance like a glittering jewel box nestled among the trees—particularly when the light hits its floor-to-ceiling windows.

Built in 1976, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom abode is the work of artist and designer Charles Solt, whose spent decades working for Lenox China, during which time he was responsible for crafting some of America’s most recognizable presidential tableware.

During his tenure at Lenox, Solt contributed to several White House china services and even served as the chief designer for the 4,372-piece gold-encrusted collection created for President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

Solt’s china designs became known for their understated elegance, a quality that listing agent John C. Clement says is equally evident throughout the home he conceived.

Known as the Solt House, the 2,320-square-foot property at 74 Brookville Hollow Road sits on 5 acres and reflects the disciplined design that defined Solt’s celebrated professional work.

“The house may be considered a residential counterpart to Solt’s design work: refined, carefully composed, and elegant without being showy,” Clement says.

The architecture embraces the hallmarks of classic midcentury modern design: simple geometric forms, clean lines, expansive walls of glass, and a seamless connection to nature. Low horizontal rooflines and dark shou sugi ban siding create the impression of a house that blends into its surroundings. 

Shou sugi ban is a Japanese technique that involves the use of intentionally charred wood for house siding. The result is a deeply textured, ink-black finish that gives homes a dramatic, cinematic silhouette against natural landscapes.

Combined with the walls of windows, which reflect the natural landscape around it, the home appears almost like an optical illusion that blends in with the trees.

“The architecture is intended to frame the natural setting rather than compete with it,” Clement says. “Its appeal is not based solely on period details or nostalgia; many of its features remain remarkably relevant to contemporary living.”

Those floor-to-ceiling windows also foster an open relationship with the surrounding forest, allowing shifting light and changing seasons to become part of everyday life. Inside, crisp geometric framing is balanced by warm wood ceilings and light white oak flooring.

The open floor plan flows effortlessly between the kitchen, dining, and living spaces before extending to a spacious teak deck beneath the trees. In the primary suite, walls of glass and a free-standing soaking tub create a peaceful retreat immersed in the landscape.

While the home’s character remains faithful to Solt’s original vision, the current owner has thoroughly modernized its systems and finishes. Recent upgrades include a newly resealed roof, dual-zone HVAC, new water heaters, and authentic Nakamoto Forestry Shou Sugi Ban siding.

The kitchen features custom Reform cabinetry from Copenhagen, Fisher & Paykel appliances, a built-in Miele coffee system, and a custom island by furniture maker Noam Wise. The renovated bathrooms showcase handcrafted clé tile and custom concrete sinks by Trueform Concrete.

In fact, the only thing missing from the property is one of Solt’s famous china collections—at least one of which is currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

According to property records, the latest listing marks only the second time in the home’s history that it has been put on the market—having last changed hands in 2023 for $550,000.

Past deeds indicate that Solt owned the home when he died in 2019. It was later sold by the executors of his estate.

For architecture enthusiasts, or anyone seeking an exceptional modern woodland retreat, the Solt House offers the chance to live inside the vision of an artist whose work once graced the tables of the White House.