Builder: Rosen Global Partners NY, NY Architect: Arquitectonica, Miami, FLA. Nelson Chen has always liked living on the edge, of sea and sky that is. "I have always lived in high rises," says Chen of his life-long affinity for buildings that seem to reach the heavens. "I love the sense of open space." His familial roots tie him to Englewood Cliffs, and his successful real estate agency to Edgewater, so it is no surprise to family, friends and colleagues that Chen proudly calls himself a "Bergen County baby" and who has every intention of forever calling this special neck of the woods home. "Traditional tried and true," says Chen of the design scheme of his previous apartments, "but a few years ago I was sensing a need to step out of the box." So when an opportunity came along for Chen to purchase and decorate a newly constructed townhouse nestled in the shadow of the George Washington Bridge on the banks of the Hudson River in Edgewater, he snapped at the chance to stamp out his own brand of metro modern style. At 3,500 square feet, with a footprint stretching four levels, and complete with a wrap around rooftop deck with unparalleled views of Manhattan, the three bedroom, three bath home dressed in a modern monochromatic color palette of soft grays, rich browns and c creamy whites is nothing short of "wow." Precision, patience and perseverance were his design muses as he researched and handpicked every item for his home - from the custom soft gray wall colors to furniture pieces like a synthetic stone topped dining table to the one of a kind lighting fixtures. "I knew that I wanted to create a look: a sort of Soho loft meets urban chic," says Chen of the interior design plan that took him 18 months to complete. The result: a stunning union of sea, sky and space. Living Room Chen completed the interior design of his home in 18 months and painstakingly selected each and every piece of furniture, light fixtures and artwork. The living room, with its large-scale sofas and chairs upholstered in Chen's color palette of soft grays, browns and whites and the room's rug that resembles river rocks, is the homeowner's favorite space in the house. "I wanted this room to have a 'wow' factor, even if it was just for me," says Chen. "I had a master remote system installed so that with one flick I can have music and TV on, in surround sound. On a cold day, I will put on the gas fireplace. I love this room." Word Wall Nelson Chen says the "word wall" painted in the dining room sums up how he approaches life: Eat Drink Live Laugh Love. "When I was planning the design of each room I knew that I wanted to have a word wall," says the homeowner. "And the dining room turned out to be the perfect space." One of Chen's favorite lighting pieces is the room's chandelier by Achille Castiglioni, from DDC in New York. Entertaining friends and family is a top priority for Chen, so he selected synthetic stone surface resistant to stains for the table top. To complement are chairs upholstered in easy-to-care-for leather. "I want my guests to enjoy themselves and not worry about spills. It is all about comfort and ease," says Chen. Kitchen "I knew I wanted a big island in the kitchen so people could move freely about," says Chen of the sleek space complete with double sinks that is the backbone of the room. Wishing to keep the open feeling, the homeowner chose to place a lounge area in front of the island complete with matching leather sofas and a round table in a soft aqua blue that adds a punch of color. A flat screen TV sits above a custom credenza where table linens and tabletop accessories are stored. Just to the right of the lounge area is the light infused dining room. Guest Bedroom Chen used his creative eye in crafting a home that is truly reflective of his personality. Chen replicated what he liked best from his favorite hotels to create luxurious but comfortable guest rooms. In the tan room, his inspiration came from his many stays at the Delano Hotel in Miami. "At the Delano, it is all about fusing comfortable elegance with an urban-modern design," says Chen. "The linens are crisp, lighting is soft, and the room is serene. I tried to recreate that feeling for this room. I want my guests to love staying here." Hallway The hallway that leads to the living areas of the townhouse features a lighting fixture that Chen says was a must-have accessory. "I saw this light fixture by Ligne Roset at a home show at Pier 79 in New York," recalls the homeowner. "It was modern, yet fragile and so unique. I fell in love with it on first sight." Rooftop Deck Stunning views of the George Washington Bridge and the Manhattan skyline are the backdrop for the home's piece de resistance: a rooftop deck. Chen wanted a "Vegas" feel to the deck: oversized lounges, sofas and chairs. Researching various top-notch resort furniture lines from the West Coast, Chen ultimately chose the furniture from Veneman Group in Garden Grove, Calif. "I wanted t he deck to have that special resort feel to it." Says Chen, "and the furniture to be comfortable but modern and simple. I also wanted to be able to customize the cushions, and was able to choose a weather-resistant fabric in a pale gray to complement the interior color scheme. Garden Patio On the first level sits Chen's home office which opens up to a garden patio. "I wanted a small outdoor space that I could go to after spending a few hours at my desk," says Chen. "I wanted something that was simple but special, and I knew that D&G Landscape in Ridgefield could create just that."