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Melissa Gorga recently opened up the doors to her Franklin Lakes, New Jersey mansion, giving fans a look at her and Joe Gorga‘s newly-built home.
Years after purchasing the home and embarking on a complete overhaul of the property, the 45-year-old Real Housewives of New Jersey star showed off several rooms in the home, including her kitchen, living room, master bedroom, and two-level closet.
“I designed this whole house with my husband, Joe,” Melissa reveals on the June 24 episode of NBC’s Open House as she welcomed the cameras into her home.
A large driveway with pavers serves as the entry to the Gorga’s home.
Speaking of her foyer as she walked inside, Melissa explains, “I wanted it very bright, very white, very airy, tons of windows … I also put this really nice piece of glass space right here to open up the room. That’s actually my office on the other side.”
As far as the floors go,” she continues, “I wanted the really shiny marble and I also incorporated a little wood in between that as well to get that farmhouse look but not being too farmhouse.”
Melissa aimed for an open concept when designing her foyer.
Moving into her dining room and bar area, Melissa says placement was key.
“I wanted it very close to the front of the house so as soon as my guests walk in, I can pour them a drink. The Gorgas love to entertain. We have lots of friends coming by,” she reveals.
“I went a little darker for this room. I wanted it to feel sexy like a lounge,” she adds.
The dark walls are broken up by a stunning white countertop surrounding the home bar.
Melissa also put tons of thought into her kitchen.
“This is my absolute dream kitchen that I always wanted. I do have the double island. I needed the breakfast nook. That was one thing that I always said was a must when I built a new home,” she details. “We did a built-in china cabinet and we also did fluted on the bottom of a lot of the cabinets.”
The kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances and a “gigantic wine fridge.“
Just off the kitchen is a large porch, providing Melissa and Joe with great indoor-outdoor space.
“I wanted to have the big outdoor porch connected to the kitchen so we put this huge sliding door that opens completely up… It’s an awesome feature in this house,” Melissa gushes.
The large back porch leads down to the backyard.
There’s also a family room close by.
“This is where the family hangs and watches TV,” Melissa reveals. “I wanted it to be chic but still cozy and feel warm. I wanted to make sure the ceilings were lower in the family room because it gives it more of that cozy vibe.”
Melissa included a “funky” chandelier and built-ins on each side of the fireplace in the living room.
As for Melissa’s favorite room in the home, that went to her glam room.
“It was important for me to have a glam room. Obviously, I do a lot of hair and makeup,” she explains. “It’s actually my favorite room in the house … The tile is super fun in here … It has a little mirror cut out, has the white, it reflects everything really well.”
Melissa says her glam room is a great backdrop for a “glam shot.”
Outside, Melissa went for a resort-like feel.
“I wanted the cabanas, I wanted lots of lounge chairs. We also did lots of fireplaces that you can sit around. And hearing the waterfalls, that is my favorite thing,” she notes.
Melissa described her backyard as peaceful and tranquil.
The downstairs of the home also boasts fun features.
“This is where the kids hang out. They play down here a little bit. Joe and I work out in here, and my boys … We all work out in the gym,” Melissa states.
In addition to a sitting area and gaming space, Melissa and Joe’s basement has a vintage RHONJ poster that reads, “Family is a force of nature.”
“It sure is,” Melissa laughs, seemingly signaling her ongoing estrangement from sister-in-law Teresa Giudice, 52.
A foosball table is set up for Melissa, Joe, and their three kids.
“This poker room is Joe’s favorite room,” Melissa goes on, also revealing her downstairs features another, larger bar and her podcast room.
Joe’s poker room features built-in shelves.
Once Melissa arrives upstairs, she shows off her Hollywood regency-themed bedroom, saying it boasts “hotel vibes.”
“The lights in here are very vintage Hollywood vibes and I did put the glass in between, too, just to open the space up,” she explains.
Ornate lighting drapes each side of Melissa and Joe’s bed.
Another one of Melissa’s favorite areas of the home is her closet.
“This closet is two levels. I keep a lot of things I don’t use as often on the second level. I’m a boutique owner, so clothes is my thing,” she shares.
The center island in Melissa’s closet boats a faux crocodile counter.
To watch the full tour, check out the clip below.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 14 airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.
