Passersby can’t help but to take a glimpse at the impressive stand-alone, custom-built house of Steve Morgan as they cruise along Holt’s Landing Road in Millville, but how can your blame them? The year-old, 3,400-square-foot home nestled atop two acres is so appealing, some find it difficult to believe that Morgan himself is neither a contractor nor architect. Instead, he is a lender for A. Anderson Scott Mortgage Group, a board member of the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber of Commerce, a devoted husband, and a loving father. Fortunately, he said, he has encompassed it all, family and profession, with projects at his ever-growing home.

Morgan and his wife, Ann, both Indian River High School graduates, knew that they wanted to return to the area where they were raised. With the arrival of their first son, Luke, they made it a point to move back to Sussex County before he started school. They did so, a year before he enrolled in kindergarten at Lord Baltimore Elementary School. Three years ago, the couple had their second son, Blake. “We wanted to build our dream house and build a home we’ll probably be in for the rest of our lives,” he said. “It has been a lifelong dream to get back to the roots and be back with a lot of my family.”

Prior to his work in the mortgage financing business, Morgan dealt with technology sales while living in Washington D.C. and Annapolis. “I rode the ‘dot-com’ bubble for a long time,” he admitted, before entering the mortgage trade.

From attractive landscaping along the yard’s edge and an inspiring teardrop driveway in the front, to a spacious back yard ideal for perfecting one’s chip shot, and an outside shower after a day at the beach, the exterior alone is enough to coax a curious eye. “We get a lot of comments on the curb appeal of the house,” Morgan said. Long-lasting Trek decking promises the family many a night grilling out. A retaining wall hides two-thirds of the split, 1,000-square-foot garage.

The “Oohs” and “Ahs” really come out, though, as you step inside the front door and into the 19-foot tall great room, complete with arch windows, fireplace and admirable artwork. Deep hickory and bold maroon set against a weathered hardwood floor welcome guests upon entering. A warm, southwestern feel, versatile lighting and a clever knock-down style on the wall, giving it an orange-peel texture, entice you towards the kitchen. Connected to that sits a cozy hearth-room. “We wanted to go with a more contemporary look without overdoing it,” Morgan said. Ellen Rice’s paintings line several of the walls throughout the rooms, as well as samples of other modern art pieces. “We look for stuff almost anywhere,” Morgan said. “As long as things match and go well in the room, I’m not worried about where I get them from.”

Custom-designed, cast-iron railings line the stairs to the second floor. Tall columns add a sense of sophistication, as well. The master bedroom downstairs and separate bedrooms for the boys upstairs ensure maximum privacy, while a fourth accommodates guests who might stay over. “We wanted to design the place so that [our boys] have their own and we have our own,” he said. The house is equipped with two and a half baths, with the master bathroom including his “country club” shower. Multiple storage rooms throughout the home keep the rest of the house organized and tidy.

Some of the more impressive features of the house, however, are the ones you can’t even see. A geothermal heat system flows through the home, distributing comfortable warmth to both the rooms and the power bill. The framework is compiled of 2x6’s rather than the usual 2x4’s, giving the home secure foundation and stability, as well as substantial insulation. An XM Stereo system pumps music to nearly every room in the house, including the garage.

Growing up in South Bethany and graduating from Indian River, Morgan knew many faces upon his move back to the area. Connections with contractors, architects and designers helped pull the project together. An important part of the design process, he mentioned, is communication. “My wife has a very good eye for colors and helped with a lot of the design and matching throughout the house,” Morgan said. “It would not look the way it does here if it weren’t for her.” The planning took roughly six months, where Ann and Steven walked through, anticipating coloration, design and styles. “There were a lot of decisions that needed to be made,” he said. “Communication is so important when working with your significant other. You have to pick the light fixtures, the faucets, the knobs and handles. Everything comes into play.” Being married for nine years helped the couple when it came to calling the shots. “We had a good foundation of knowing what the other one liked.”

Morgan frequented the site as the house was being built, noticing the progress. “It’s been pretty amazing to come in and map out where things were going to go and see everything fall into place,” he said. “At times, I wondered if this was really my home. There’s nothing I would have done differently.”

Though extremely pleased with the turnout of his new home, there’s still plenty more to keep him on his toes. He is currently constructing a shed in his backyard for lawn equipment, customizing it to match his home. The yard, he mentioned, is not as lush and full as he hopes it will one day get. “It keeps me busy,” he said. “There’s always something to do. It’s only a year old, but it’s coming together.”

Photo by Ruslana Lambert
Coastal Point Staff Photographer