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The Reveal: Welcome to Stoneleigh

With its inherent charm, the Stoneleigh had us at “Hello.” All photographs by Mike Van Tassell.

Have you been following along on our journey? If not, check out the other entries in this series to see how far we’ve come. It’s hard to believe I started working on and documenting this project so long ago. Through all the hard work, the blood, sweat, and quite a few tears — it has all been so worth it in the end. You’ll see!

I said at the beginning of this series that entering a home is a series of small wonderful moments that culminate at the end of the visit, and I wish for the same feeling in this documentation. So without further ado, I’m so excited to introduce you to the Stoneleigh.

The Living Room

Submersing the fireplace in black anchors the space, while soft neutrals and pops of color add to the room’s personality.

Renovating an old home is saving a piece of history. Rebuilding the components to meet a modern lifestyle is the exact thing that keeps my blood pumping! In the front living room, I wanted to create a warm and welcoming space we could actually live comfortably in. I love how the fireplace surround, submersed in black, anchors the space. Neutral plaid draperies mirror the original coffered ceiling and the jewel toned velvet sofa and elegant chaise complement the antique elements we’ve collected, such the art, lighting and chests flanking the fireplace.

The Kitchen and Dining Room

What started with ideas of knocking down a few walls to build our dream kitchen became the cause of a few sleepless nights (as you might remember from Part 3), but it all paid off in the end, and this beautiful, open kitchen has become the beating heart and hub of our home.

With a busy family, the kitchen had to be functional and comfortable.

The space seamlessly blends classic and contemporary elements. Warm white cabinetry and subway tiles create a bright backdrop, while the black island adds a striking contrast. The generous marble-topped island provides ample space for cooking and casual dining, with open shelving for ease and added personality.

Opening the space was definitely the right choice for our family, allowing us to connect throughout the day.

A statement pendant light above the dining table echoes the kitchen’s lighting without being too similar and ties the spaces together, while the herringbone white oak wood flooring flows through both areas, further unifying the open concept design.

The adjacent dining area, framed by arched glass-paned doors, continues this blend of old and new. A modern table paired with woven cane chairs creates an inviting atmosphere for family meals. Personal touches like curated artwork and an antique painted cabinet infuse the space with character and tell our family’s story. 

Having removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room allows our family a less formal living setup. The original space was a formal dining room with a swinging door and a servants staircase for access to the basement supplies. We removed all of those formalities so the spaces open up and allow our family to be connected at all stages of the meals.

Although it was challenging structurally, I am so glad we opened up the two rooms for casual family living and dining. Removing the formal dining room was the best choice for this space, and we definitely do not miss it!

The Family Room

The darker, more modern design in the family room was an intentional choice for this later addition to the original home.

A classic center Dutch Colonial originally built in 1899, the Stoneleigh has a fantastic flow throughout, even with the later addition of the family room. this room provides the casual hang out space with direct access to the rear yard. We designed it to be darker and more modern in texture and materials on purpose because the scale of the room is so different from the original house.

The vaulted ceilings make this space its own, but it still blends seamlessly and has become a cozy gathering space for our family. For me, this room is all about layers and textures, from the wood beams and fluted stone mantle to the boucle chair and grasscloth wallpaper — everything in this room embodies the overall design philosophy of the home, blending historic charm with modern comfort and personal style. We spend hours in this room…watching movies, playing games and snuggling with the pup.

The Primary Bathroom

Opening to the outdoors, we wanted to bring a sense of renewal and relaxation to the primary bath.

If you’ve read the previous entries in this series, you’ve heard me talk of the challenges this project carried. But despite the frustrations, it was also very exciting — and so rewarding — to see it come together. To work on and witness the colors, materials, and new designs for this home to be reborn was a labor of love.

I have tried to stay away from the color gray in my own home and in my projects, despite its trending appeal in recent years. However, this checkered floor tile in a warm gray and white marble was just right for the primary bathroom design, pairing perfectly with the glossy porcelain tub and rich wood cabinetry.

The Powder Room (with Serious POW)

I love bold design, and this powder room was the perfect canvas for a captivating and fun palette. The vibrant floral wallpaper transforms the compact area into a jewel box of rich colors and intricate patterns. This antique gold mirror has been in my family for years and I’ve had it in my possession since I was 18. It has followed me from house to house over the years. I love how it steals the show in this smaller space as the focal point.

The powder room is the perfect home for my cherished heirloom mirror.

Outdoor Living

The Stoneleigh’s backyard became the perfect opportunity for an outdoor living space.

Working on this project through the pandemic gave me a fresh perspective on outdoor living, pushing me to create an additional space we could enjoy as extensions of our home. The result flows seamlessly from the indoors, with comfortable lounge chairs by the pool inviting relaxation under colorful umbrellas.

We host guests under the cozy cabana throughout the year.

The cabana, complete with cozy wicker furniture, flowing curtains, and a fire pit, is the perfect spot for quiet afternoons, poolside entertaining, or evening gatherings. These spaces have truly become additional living areas, allowing us to embrace the outdoors while maintaining the comfort and style of our interior home.

With the help of our vendor resources at the AHD Design Center I was able to source the perfect outdoor furniture and decor.

Almost Famous

The Stoneleigh is too good to keep to myself, and I was honored in May 2024 to be a part of the New Jersey Tour of Notable Homes, benefiting the New Jersey Festival Orchestra.

It is such an honor to see the finished product in print…and more.

The Stoneleigh was also featured in the June/July 2024 issue of Design New Jersey Magazine. So honored and excited to be included in this publication!

The cherry on top of the sundae is that we were recently awarded the AIANS Bronze Award in Historic Preservation for the Stoneleigh project. The AIA Bronze Award is one of the highest honors in the architecture industry, and we are grateful to have been selected for this recognition. As an AIA member for over twenty years, I never imagined receiving such a prestigious award. I am incredibly proud of our team’s work at the Stoneleigh and in every project we take on.

This unexpected journey of being both designer and client has been transformative. Living through each decision has given me invaluable insight and a deeper understanding of the emotional investment our clients make in their homes. 

This experience has not only shaped our living space but has also profoundly influenced my approach as a designer. I now bring a heightened empathy and practical wisdom to every project, better equipped to guide clients through their own home transformations with genuine understanding and expertise.
I hope you’ll follow along on our future adventures. The best way to get the latest news and stay in touch is through our newsletters. Sign up today by sharing your name and email address below.

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