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My Houzz: Transitional Style in Rural New Jersey
Windows aplenty and an uncluttered design help transform a dark and cramped colonial into a light-filled retreat
Paul and Jackie Sterchele relocated to Flemington, New Jersey, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and fell in love with the secluded location of their 1980s center-hall colonial. While the house needed a lot of work, with its dark, cramped layout and no flow from room to room, Paul and Jackie were charmed by their soon-to-be neighbor's horses and looked forward to enjoying privacy in a very rural part of the Garden State. They teamed up with Therese Bush-Hilgar of Decor and You and builder Joe Natale to open up the rooms and welcome in plenty of natural light.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Paul and Jackie Sterchele and their cat, Madison
Location: Flemington, New Jersey
Size: 2,800 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
That's interesting: The owners converted a dark vanity in the bedroom into a light-filled window seat, now a favorite place in the house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Paul and Jackie Sterchele and their cat, Madison
Location: Flemington, New Jersey
Size: 2,800 square feet; 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths
That's interesting: The owners converted a dark vanity in the bedroom into a light-filled window seat, now a favorite place in the house.
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by Audrey Kerchner
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| Audrey Kerchner: What inspired your interior design? Jackie Sterchele: I wanted an uncluttered design to the home, and it was important that each room receive a lot of natural light. In the den, we replaced the traditional fireplace with a European-inspired Stovax fireplace. The mantel is cherry wood, and our designer, Therese, used the red tones as an accent color for the room. AK: What do you love most about Flemington? JS: I love that we are in the middle of nature and how rural it is. We also like that we're not in the confines of a neighborhood. We really see the seasons change and all the animals that come through our yard throughout the year. The privacy is wonderful, and our window coverings are more for decor and not because we need to keep people from seeing in. Fireplace: Stovax; chairs: Klaussner; wall paint: Fennel Seed and Colenta, Benjamin Moore; cabinet: Hooker Furniture |
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by Audrey Kerchner
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| AK: Where do you feel most at home in your house now? JS: The den. The fireplace keeps the room cozy and warm, and it's just off the kitchen, making it easy to be in the den and talk to someone in the kitchen. It's also the central gathering place for when we have people over. Our 16-year-old cat, Madison, loves all the new seating options. Couch: Kincaid Furniture |
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by Audrey Kerchner
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| AK: Tell me about your kitchen design process. JS: My interior designer and my kitchen designers from Cranbury Design Center were super helpful. It was important for us to have a quiet, top-of-the-line dishwasher, and we're glad we decided to go with one from Miele. The first time I used it, it was so quiet that I didn't think it was actually turned on and working. Light was also a priority to me, and we added as many hood and high-top ceiling lights as possible, as well as more windows. |
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by Audrey Kerchner
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| JS: I also wanted the refrigerator to be camouflaged, so we covered it with wood paneling to match the cabinets. We positioned the granite island so we can watch TV while eating meals. |
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by Audrey Kerchner
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| AK: What was your biggest design dilemma? JS: If I had to offer a theme to all of our remodeling projects I would have to say it would have been to bring in as much light as possible, and to have enough cabinet storage space for the purpose of decluttering the countertops and tabletops. We put windows in the kitchen, dining area, living room, den and the master bedroom to stream lots of light into the house. |
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by Audrey Kerchner
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| AK: What did you do to make your house your own? JS: The original formal dining room was closed off from the kitchen, so during the renovation it was opened into this eating area. We use it much more now, and when we entertain it becomes part of the flow in and out of the kitchen. |
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by Audrey Kerchner
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| AK: How did you find your house? Was it love at first sight? JS: When we moved from Ohio, nothing was available on the market at the time, so we rented and waited to find just the right home. We loved the property, but the home was just so dark. The first thing we did was ask our builder to install a picture window in the living room to let in more natural light. The built-in bookshelves are used to display pictures and family treasures. My husband snuck in an Eagles football helmet, though, when I wasn't looking. |
by Audrey Kerchner
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AK: Where is your favorite spot in the house?
JS: The vanity area in the master bedroom was dark when we bought the home. It had two sinks and a mirror but no natural light coming in. We didn't need the extra sink, so we converted the space into a small seating area by adding a window, and drawers were built into the seat for extra storage.
Every time I come into the bedroom, I love looking out of the window at the scenery. It makes me happy.
More: A Guide to Transitional Style
JS: The vanity area in the master bedroom was dark when we bought the home. It had two sinks and a mirror but no natural light coming in. We didn't need the extra sink, so we converted the space into a small seating area by adding a window, and drawers were built into the seat for extra storage.
Every time I come into the bedroom, I love looking out of the window at the scenery. It makes me happy.
More: A Guide to Transitional Style
Comments
olldbobbi Love New Jersey, love this house!
14 months ago · Like
Diann Love your choices in your New J. home its just beautiful and so inviting as well
13 months ago · Like
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leasaj So pretty!
13 months ago · Like
Kathy Martz_Walsh Love New Jersey too! Love the classic design, and warm colors yet modern.. and of course the touch of red.
13 months ago · Like
Marina Klima Goldberg - Klima Design Group I like the combination of very crisp and classic with a modern, updated feel of the house. Great job! The seating with drawers. the workmanship on all the window treatments and pillows is amazing. I am also from New Jersey and know this area very well.
13 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on April 10, 2012.
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