Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Loving Remodel for High-School Sweethearts
Ellie and Michael Mroz return to their hometown of Westfield, N.J., and design their dream home
It's like something out of a book: Michael and Ellie Mroz locked eyes their freshman year of high school in Westfield, N.J., and have been together ever since. After graduating from high school and college, the couple moved back to their hometown where both of their families still live. They found their dream house — a 72-year-old home on a tree-lined street. The house hadn't been changed in more than 60 years, so the couple had to redo almost everything. "We wanted to expand and update the home, and infuse our clean, classic and coastal style into the existing structure," Ellie says.
Michael was the general contractor for the home, so he and Ellie decided to make minimal changes to the exterior of the house. The couple wanted to maintain the home's original look and fit the rest of the neighborhood. A new garage was added to the home, but the only other changes outside are copper flashing and new trim.
Light oak floors, exposed beams, white trim and blue-toned paints contribute the coastal style they wanted. In the foyer, herringbone hardwood floors with a walnut border were installed. Ellie chose a navy grasscloth wallpaper for the walls. "I'm a big fan of decorating with texture instead of loud colors or prints," she says. "I think walls are a great place to do that."
A crisp navy and white geometric carpet was chosen for the staircase, and the stair rods are capped with pineapple finials, finishing off the foyer's coastal look.
Wallpaper: Thibaut
Light fixture: Hampton Semi-Flushmount, Hudson Valley
A crisp navy and white geometric carpet was chosen for the staircase, and the stair rods are capped with pineapple finials, finishing off the foyer's coastal look.
Wallpaper: Thibaut
Light fixture: Hampton Semi-Flushmount, Hudson Valley
Ellie and Michael decided to use a lower-grade oak flooring for more variation, warmth and depth. In the formal dining room (originally the home’s living room), they installed a light fixture and trestle table and added wainscotting and coffering on the ceiling and walls.
Table: Trestle Salvaged Wood Extension Dining Table, Restoration Hardware
Chandelier: Pillar Candle Large Chandelier, Restoration Hardware
Chairs: HENRIKSDAL Chair, IKEA
Table: Trestle Salvaged Wood Extension Dining Table, Restoration Hardware
Chandelier: Pillar Candle Large Chandelier, Restoration Hardware
Chairs: HENRIKSDAL Chair, IKEA
The blue-gray island is nearly 10 feet long, giving Ellie plenty of room to cook and entertain. She and Michael decided to give the Carrara marble countertop the look of a double slab by mitering the edge of the single 2.5-inch piece. "It's a great industrial feel, and the manufacturing is superb," Ellie says. "The veins of the marble even follow right down over the edge to give it a seamless look."
Pendant: Benson Pendant
Cowhide: KOLDBY, IKEA
Pendant: Benson Pendant
Cowhide: KOLDBY, IKEA
Although the kitchen already gets a ton of light from the large window in the adjacent breakfast nook, Ellie and Michael put in narrow windows on either side of the range to let in even more natural light.
Barstools: Pier 1
Cabinetry: Brookhaven by Woodmode combined with some custom pieces/panels
Barstools: Pier 1
Cabinetry: Brookhaven by Woodmode combined with some custom pieces/panels
The backsplash behind the desk area in the kitchen was painted with magnetic primer and chalkboard paint, which makes it the perfect spot to leave notes. The built-in cabinetry is in the same style as the rest of the kitchen to create a unified look.
A custom half-circle window was installed in the breakfast nook. The window makes the space feel larger by providing a view straight into the backyard and allowing plenty of morning light to filter through. A built-in bench provides extra seating and makes the space feel cozy.
Table: Montego Dining table in black, Pottery Barn
Chairs: Aaron Wood Seat Chair in black, Pottery Barn
Pendant: Victorian Hotel Pendant in polished nickel, Restoration Hardware
Table: Montego Dining table in black, Pottery Barn
Chairs: Aaron Wood Seat Chair in black, Pottery Barn
Pendant: Victorian Hotel Pendant in polished nickel, Restoration Hardware
One of Ellie's favorite features is the ceiling she designed in the great room. The ceiling is a glossy white beadboard with flat beams (the room didn't have the height for dropped beams). The area right next to the living room is the kids' play area. Here, the couple decided to make the ceiling a bit higher and left the beadboard in a natural color. The difference provides a subtle sense of distinction between the two spaces, and helps the play area feel warmer.
Couches: Baldwin slipcovered couch and chair, Macy's
Play area carpet: Skip Hop Playspot
Couches: Baldwin slipcovered couch and chair, Macy's
Play area carpet: Skip Hop Playspot
The rustic-looking wood media unit is from Restoration Hardware, and Ellie and Michael added shoe molding to give it a more custom, built-in look. Most of the products in the home are a mix of Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel and IKEA, blended with a few finds from local stores and their travels.
This formal living room was originally the home's dining room. Because they love to entertain and have family dinners, the couple decided a larger dining room would better suit their lifestyle. For the walls, Ellie chose a vinyl gray wallpaper with a silk-like look. But because it's made of such durable material, it can be scrubbed, washed and even bleached — perfect for a house with two small children.
Arm chairs: Pottery Barn
Couch: Bayside Full Sleeper, Crate & Barrel
Ceiling pendant: Finley Small White Pendant, Crate & Barrel
Wallpaper: Thibaut
Arm chairs: Pottery Barn
Couch: Bayside Full Sleeper, Crate & Barrel
Ceiling pendant: Finley Small White Pendant, Crate & Barrel
Wallpaper: Thibaut
The mudroom was a great practical addition for this growing family. The couple brightened up the space with apple green baskets and a cheerful turquoise door. "This door is very special to us," Ellie says. "My husband calls it the 'smile door' because it makes him smile every morning when he leaves for work."
Tile: Tumbled Travertine
Paint color: Castaway by Dunn Edwards
Tile: Tumbled Travertine
Paint color: Castaway by Dunn Edwards
Ellie and Michael designed the upstairs master suite as a respite from their busy lives. Dark wood furniture contrasts with a subtle and pearlescent wallpaper. Classically designed light fixtures stay in line with the style of the rest of the house.
More Houzz Tours:
A Home Full of History and Surprise
Dream Surf Shack at Pleasure Point
Modern Shingle Style in Utah
More Houzz Tours:
A Home Full of History and Surprise
Dream Surf Shack at Pleasure Point
Modern Shingle Style in Utah
