No Place Like Home

When we first met this family, they were under contract on a new house - and asked us to tour both that property and their existing Bergen County, NJ home to help them decide which truly felt right. While the new house was beautiful, it was their current home - an older residence with charm, character, and architectural soul - that felt most authentic to who they are. They ultimately chose to stay and asked us to reimagine the house they already loved. 

The goal was deeply personal: to showcase the art, sculpture, and objects collected during their travels, celebrate their heritages, and create a warm, welcoming environment for their two sons.

World travelers at heart, the homeowners cherish the feeling of returning home. A previous renovation had introduced a new kitchen and family room addition, but they were ready for a full top-to-bottom refresh. Using their love of color and pattern as a foundation, we developed a jewel-toned palette of marigold, green, and blue to unify the home.

He had his heart set on a white kitchen, so we refreshed the existing space - refinishing the cabinetry, adding a hand-painted backsplash, installing a herringbone-patterned tumbled limestone floor, and designing a classic white oak island as a warm counterpoint. In the bathrooms, we reworked the layouts to better suit daily life. Hers is a Moroccan-inspired sanctuary layered in green zellige tile, anchored by star-patterned mosaic floor tiles. His bath channels masculine elegance with all-white marble and a patterned tile layout inspired by The Carlyle Hotel. The boys’ bathroom balances youth and timelessness with a buffalo-check plaid tile floor and crisp white ceramic finishes.

In the family room, we elevated comfort with a new furniture plan: an L-shaped sectional, built-in banquette, and dedicated homework table, creating a true hub for everyday life. Reclaimed wood framing the kitchen doorway adds a rustic note, while Acanthus leaf wallpaper delivers a bold, botanical statement. Jewel tones continue throughout the home, from sapphire blue cabinetry in the mudroom to an emerald-hued headboard in the primary bedroom, creating a layered, globally inspired interior that feels collected, personal, and lived in.