This charming Tudor-style home in Montclair, NJ, designed by Samantha Ware Design and photographed by Kirstin Francis, perfectly blends the elegance of its 1907 architecture with modern, functional design. The clients, a young family, sought a warm and inviting space that would accommodate their busy lifestyle while honoring the home’s rich history. Through a careful mix of old and new, bold colors, and thoughtful renovations, the home was transformed into a cozy and stylish abode.
From the designer… The Tudor style house was built in 1907 which meant that the interiors were grand in scale and while the layout provided easy pass throughs, each room was relatively closed off and had their own quirks. We wanted to honor the home’s 117-year-old history while simultaneously elevating it to be conducive with modern day living. Taking cues from the home’s architecture, we decided to create contrast by highlighting the home’s wonderful woodwork and moldings in certain areas and softening them in others. The juxtaposition between light and dark ultimately created a space that felt inviting and cozy despite the structure’s large scale.
The most labor-intensive part of the project was refinishing the kitchen from top to bottom. The clients wanted the hub of the home to feel warm and layered but understood that the cost to renovate the kitchen and put in new cabinets would chew up far too much of their budget so as an alternative, we decided to paint the kitchen cabinets (which were of a very high quality to begin with), walls, ceiling and trim, change out the backsplash and fireplace surround, install new fixtures (including lighting) and add some charm via custom patterned lampshades and window treatments. We went with a beautiful custom taupe color on the perimeter cabinetry and trim, a custom olive green on the island, and chose to lighten the walls to an off white, which were previously a stark gray. Changing out the existing backsplash, which instantly placed the kitchen to the year 2000, with a handmade zellige tile, added depth and character to the space. The gray subway tile that surrounded the very unique fireplace (who doesn’t want a warm fire blazing while cooking on a cold winter’s night) was swapped for a beautiful brick, adding to the design’s timelessness.
Wanting a space for formal entertaining that still felt young and fresh, we convinced our clients to go bold in the dining room, painting the space’s lovely paneling and trim in a rich dark blue that perfectly coordinated with the room’s Kelly Ventura floral wallpaper. To add a sense of lightness to the space, we opted for an oversized paper lantern fixture above the new dining table and chairs. In an effort to preserve the space’s formal architecture, an oversized Louis Philippe mirror was placed above the rather casual buffet, furthering the home’s tension between old and new.
The sunroom, which is used as a hangout space by the family, was in desperate need of some TLC. While the room was in good shape, the client inherited a very flat and worn-in sofa from the previous homeowners, which sat upon a lackluster area rug that did nothing for the room’s light and cheery disposition. We swapped the hand-me-downs for a large custom sectional in performance fabric for the kids and a vintage Persian area rug- pairing them with an oak coffee table and smattering of playful pillows. A pair of large and comfortable armchairs in a soft green velvet provide the perfect space for relaxing with a good book or morning coffee.
In the primary bedroom, which was clad in peeling wallpaper and Ikea bedding, subtle color and cheery pattern were used to create the perfect grown-up oasis. Swapping the paper for a fresh coat of paint, adding a new Patterson Flynn area rug, and selecting vintage pieces to coordinate with the client’s mid-century bed provided depth and warmth to the oversized space. We built the design off of a beautiful Meredith Ellis fabric, which was used to adorn the main sleeping area’s single window. The smaller room off to the back of the house was transformed into a playful office space with views spanning across the home’s large back garden.
While the client didn’t think that the primary bathroom was an accurate reflection of their tastes, as with the kitchen, we decided that a gut renovation would eat too much of the overall project budget. In lieu of a full renovation, we opted to paint the space in a pale white a contrasting green on the trim work. We added a sweet custom cafe curtain on the space’s single window and swapped out the existing light fixtures, using Fermoie lampshades on the sconces for visual interest. The changes were small but mighty, transforming the room into a young yet serene space.
Used in the colder months, a large room on the third floor was transformed into a cozy TV den, perfect for family movie nights and kids playdates. Wanting the space to feel like a cocoon of sorts, we convinced our clients to go bold with a rich green on the walls and ceiling. Using a smattering of the client’s own pieces, we chose to bring in items that felt warm and characterful. A contemporary sofa sits next to a traditional coffee table while a well-loved leather armchair with a Peter Dunham pillow sits in the corner of the room under a custom wall sconce, setting the tone for the room’s dialog between old and new. We transformed what once felt like a cold and bare attic into a comfortable and sophisticated gentleman’s club.
Like what you see? Take a peek at the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Samantha Ware Design · Photography: Kirstin Francis · Stylist: Frances Bailey
