Custom details add a personal touch to this family-friendly renovation

NJ Project Reveal – from so-so, to so special!

I’m really excited to share my NJ project that wrapped up at the end of 2019, but due to many Covid-related delays, was just photographed a few weeks ago. This project was a lot of fun; my clients – a family of five with three teenagers – were eager to create a space where they could enjoy time together as a family and to also entertain with ease.

What began as a desire for a larger refrigerator and a backyard upgrade – including a new pool and patio – evolved into a full-blown renovation involving most of the first floor. It was clear from the beginning that the floor plan was dated – reflecting the way people lived in the years just after WWII when the house was built. It featured a living room with a fireplace that felt more like a small formal sitting area than a space that welcomed family and friends for movie nights and casual get togethers.

Due to the awkward placement of a door that led from the living room to the kitchen there was no room for a large sofa or a TV, forcing the placement of the sofa and TV to the end of the room, leaving two-thirds of the space empty.

By moving the doorway and bumping the living room out just a few feet, we were able to create a breakfast room off the kitchen, as well as a fully functional living/family room that comfortably seats the whole family and more.

Helping my clients select art was fun and rewarding. They found this really cool textile piece made by Lauren Williams Art and it hit just the right note for the room. Before purchasing anything, we evaluated the art they already owned. They had a lot of beautiful artwork, some of which was particularly meaningful. Changing up the frames and finding the right wall placement made all the difference!

We also moved the powder room closer to the kitchen, making room for a more generous and accommodating mudroom with cubbies and hooks. This was key to managing clutter, bathing suits and wet towels, while providing an easy transition from the patio, pool area or garage.

One of the details in the kitchen I love was this custom leaded-glass cabinet door I designed for a tall cabinet that houses glassware.

While it would have been easier (and faster) to have the cabinet company create a glass door to match the other cabinetry, I was committed to the idea of this custom leaded glass door as a way to add an artistic, hand-crafted detail to the space, and luckily my clients trusted me and the creative process.

We took a field trip to Manhattan Stained Glass in Jersey City that was so fun and interesting!

Unusual and creative details like this make all the difference and result in a space that feels uniquely custom and personal.

I knew it would be a beautiful element that would add a special, handcrafted detail to the kitchen and they believed me when I said it was worth the wait. When it was all done, they hired me again!

A large scale remodel involves multiple contractors, many different materials,
managing purchases, deliveries and cooperation across trades. In other words, professional
level planning and coordination to pull it all together on time and on budget.

Hiring an interior designer will help you focus on the end product and avoid expensive mistakes.
It’s the best way to ensure your newly designed space exceeds your greatest expectations!

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Debby Katz

Debby Katz Interiors celebrates the connection between environment and well-being. Debby's design philosophy is simple - honor the identity and uniqueness of each client, focus on function to design spaces that improve the way people live in their homes and infuse each space with beauty, honing in on thoughtful details and carefully curated pieces.

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