Interior Designer: Elizabeth Ego, Agape Design Group
Studio Locations: Franklin Lakes, New Jersey
Client review: The client loves deep tones — she didn’t want the light, airy kitchen many homeowners ask for. Her focus was bringing the outdoors in and creating a cozy atmosphere.
Design aims: “The house is surrounded by beautiful views of nature, and it was our driving force,” shares Ego. “That’s why we went a little more rustic than formal. I wanted to create a comfortable and inviting family home.”
From the interior designer:
This aesthetic has been something I’ve wanted to execute, but it’s not something my regular clientele requests, since I’m known for modern design. This was an opportunity to work in a more traditional aesthetic, while still incorporating contemporary elements, such as the floating staircase. It’s such a statement piece that serves as a focal point that can be seen from the exterior and many rooms throughout the house.
We didn’t want the home to feel monochromatic, so we carried touches of rich greens throughout. That and the warm woods we used nod to the exterior. We also used a mix of materials in the rooms to create layers and add small, but important, details. In the kitchen, Taj Mahal quartzite, reeded-glass cabinets and Visual Comfort pendants elevate the space. That’s the wife’s favorite room because it’s so inviting and functional.
The dining room and family room are also very relaxed and rustic. Phillips Jeffries wallpaper envelops the dining room walls, creating texture. The Nero Marquina fireplace in the family room is very luxurious, but there’s a casual vibe to the space, where the whole family can pile on the comfy seating.
When you have young kids, you need a space to recharge, and the primary suite does that. I wanted the bedroom and bathroom to speak to each other. Both areas are custom-made, so we matched the wood stain throughout, as well as kept the tiles and the headboard in the same color family. I think that we created an oasis that allows the homeowners to disconnect from the busyness of their days.
Photography by Mike Van Tassell.
Styling by Katia Greef.
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