With a thoughtful, phased approach to renovation, Allison Handler Design transformed this outdated Basking Ridge home into a modern organic retreat for a growing family. Photographed by Linda Pordon in its early stage and later by Van Tassell Studio as the home came fully into focus, the project blends rustic texture, bold touches, and intentional space planning to reflect both the family’s current lifestyle and what’s to come.
From Allison Handler Design… My clients were newlyweds who were expecting their first child when they bought this home in Basking Ridge, just 45 minutes from New York City. Despite it being so close to the city it truly feels like a peaceful, secluded country escape. There’s so much greenery, open land, and a calming energy—it felt like the perfect setting for my clients to start their next chapter. While their new home was in good shape structurally, it was very outdated. We approached the project in phases and wrapped everything up in just over a year.
The real star of the home is the kitchen, dining area, and bar. We knocked down the structural wall that had divided the kitchen and dining room, added reclaimed wood beams, and expanded the bar so it flows seamlessly between the two spaces. I chose three different cabinet finishes—custom-stained white oak, Sherwin-Williams Egret White, and Sherwin-Williams Rock Garden at the bar—to define each zone, and selected a different backsplash tile for each as well. That layering of materials helps the open-plan layout feel dynamic and curated.
During phase two of this project we reworked the entire first floor. Originally, it had two full bathrooms, three bedrooms, and an office. We brought on an architect and reconfigured it to make much better use of the footprint: now it has three full baths, three bedrooms, and a separate office. It feels much more functional and intentional. The interior style is what I’d call modern organic, relaxed and natural, but with some rustic touches and a hit of bold glamour. The office, for example, became one of my favorite rooms. We wrapped it in white oak paneling, added a custom built-in desk and storage, and used a menswear-inspired wallpaper to give it a moody vibe. I skipped recessed lighting in favor of four decorative flush mounts, which gave the space a more intentional, designed feel.
The primary suite was a big focus early in the process. We gutted it completely and rebuilt it as a warm, modern retreat filled with texture and character. I kept the original footprint but removed the old carpet, added white oak floors, painted the ceiling beams black for contrast, and brought in new furnishings and lighting throughout. The bathroom was a total transformation; we took out the dated built-in tub and replaced it with a matte black freestanding one, brought in a large vanity with fluted two-tone detailing, and added carefully chosen tile and lighting. One of my favorite features is the Calacatta gold marble–framed window, it adds just the right amount of drama.
In the end, it was such a rewarding project. When my client saw the final space, she cried. That’s the kind of reaction that reminds me exactly why I do this work.
– Allison Handler
Discover the talent behind the story… Interior Design: Allison Handler Design · Home Photography: Van Tassell Studio · Primary Suite Photography: Linda Pordon · Builder: Rotta Construction
