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Inherited 1960s Home Reimagined With English Cottage Charm
Sentimental treasures and a garden-inspired palette revive a homeowner’s childhood home
When this southern New Jersey couple decided it was time to renovate their home, they turned to Houzz to find an interior designer and hired Nicole Lorber of Distinctive Interior Designs. Their goals were to bring the charm of their lush English-inspired gardens indoors, expand the kitchen and prepare the first floor for a future bedroom suite.
The house had remained almost entirely untouched since 1965. It was the inherited childhood home of one of the homeowners, and the basement was packed with items holding decades of memories. While layering the interiors with English-cottage-inspired character, Lorber found thoughtful ways to showcase many of those treasured pieces and other items that reflect the couple’s shared history.
The house had remained almost entirely untouched since 1965. It was the inherited childhood home of one of the homeowners, and the basement was packed with items holding decades of memories. While layering the interiors with English-cottage-inspired character, Lorber found thoughtful ways to showcase many of those treasured pieces and other items that reflect the couple’s shared history.
The homeowners are semiretired but still working — he in aerospace engineering and she in real estate — so they needed their own home office spaces. The former living room serves as his office, pictured, and is also the designated space for a future first-floor bedroom suite if needed. French doors off the entryway reveal the room’s sepia-toned landscape mural, which reflects the home’s gardens.
Lorber painted the console, a family heirloom, a deep rosemary green to lean into the English cottage aesthetic, and flanked it with black étagères. The units’ open shelves hold a curated collection of mementos from the couple’s travels and his childhood treasures. On the wall in between them, she placed two vintage maps that represent where the homeowners grew up — Philadelphia for him, Mexico City for her.
Lorber painted the console, a family heirloom, a deep rosemary green to lean into the English cottage aesthetic, and flanked it with black étagères. The units’ open shelves hold a curated collection of mementos from the couple’s travels and his childhood treasures. On the wall in between them, she placed two vintage maps that represent where the homeowners grew up — Philadelphia for him, Mexico City for her.
Because he hosts client meetings at home, Lorber commissioned a custom round table to fit into this corner. The dark caned chairs offer a modern take on English cottage style.
Before: The original kitchen was defined by a cramped work area and high windows that blocked views of the backyard’s gardens and large koi pond. A closed-off formal dining room was located behind the back wall. The couple realized they didn’t need both a casual eat-in area and a formal dining room, so they opted to combine the spaces for better flow. (See floor plans below.)
“They love to entertain and often host extended family and their neighbors,” Lorber says. They wanted a layout that would be more conducive to such gatherings.
“They love to entertain and often host extended family and their neighbors,” Lorber says. They wanted a layout that would be more conducive to such gatherings.
After: Lorber pushed the kitchen back into the formal dining room, which made space for a zoned layout and a 9-foot island. She was able to customize the island, which was made in Mexico, and it features turned legs that give it an old-world handmade feel. While the perimeter countertops are Taj Mahal quartzite, the island’s countertop is Dekton in a darker color that helps it stand out.
The key to achieving the English cottage aesthetic was combining a wide mix of textures in the kitchen. There’s the natural wood of the island contrasted by cabinetry painted white, along with an oak range hood and a tongue-and-groove backsplash. Rippled glass in the sconces and on the glass cabinet doors adds another layer of depth, and brass hardware and copper pots complete the look.
The range hood’s oak continues down the sides of the range alcove in the form of handy shelves for spices, herbs and oils. By extending the quartzite above the range, Lorber created a natural stone backdrop for a brass pot rail accessorized with a mix of copper pieces, both new and plucked from the basement.
The sink and prep zone are close to the range and the island for efficiency. The windows along the back of the house are new, and the designer recommended windows without grids to keep the views of the backyard as open as possible.
Across the island is a coffee station and self-serve drink zone, complete with a beverage fridge and a sink with an instant hot water faucet with filtration. “The homeowners have told me that they don’t know how they ever lived without this faucet,” Lorber says. “They said they use it several times a day.”
Tongue-and-groove paneling stained to match the oak range hood brings wood into this corner of the room. More brass comes in through the railings across the open shelves and the brass sconces that flank them.
To the left of the beverage zone, the homeowners wanted a designated spot for their air fryer. Tucked beneath it is an unobtrusive microwave drawer, and pantry storage is on the far side of the fridge. Dividing the room with the island makes it easy for people to come in and fix a drink, grab a snack or microwave something while steering clear of the prepping, cooking and cleanup zones.
Tongue-and-groove paneling stained to match the oak range hood brings wood into this corner of the room. More brass comes in through the railings across the open shelves and the brass sconces that flank them.
To the left of the beverage zone, the homeowners wanted a designated spot for their air fryer. Tucked beneath it is an unobtrusive microwave drawer, and pantry storage is on the far side of the fridge. Dividing the room with the island makes it easy for people to come in and fix a drink, grab a snack or microwave something while steering clear of the prepping, cooking and cleanup zones.
Situating an open dining area next to the kitchen gave it a cozy eat-in feel, but it can also be used for dinner parties. Lorber expanded the windows, creating a bay that maximizes the views of the homeowners’ beloved garden. Carrying on the English cottage look are ladder-back chairs with reeded seats, a botanical pattern on the host-and-hostess chairs, a trestle table with old-world style and a brass light fixture with a vintage look.
More layers of texture, color and pattern come in through the sage green linen window treatments, which offer privacy and light control. A special drapery tape detail adds interest. Repeating these window treatments in the kitchen and the adjacent family room created cohesion from room to room.
More layers of texture, color and pattern come in through the sage green linen window treatments, which offer privacy and light control. A special drapery tape detail adds interest. Repeating these window treatments in the kitchen and the adjacent family room created cohesion from room to room.
Before: The brick wall in the family room provided texture but overwhelmed the scale of the fireplace opening.
After: The couple wanted their first floor to be a no-TV zone, and the renovated family room is set up for conversation and reading. The base of the color palette is warm neutrals, with big dollops of garden-inspired greens and wood accents layered in. Details like the plaid throw pillows and the wicker side table with scalloped edges drive home the English cottage feel, while the Scandinavian modern armchairs keep the style fresh.
Lorber installed shadow-box millwork over the brick wall to add refinement to the room. She removed the toe-stubber of a hearth, replacing it with one flush with the floor. Both the hearth and the fireplace surround are covered in a gray-toned brick veneer that complements the wall paint.
Armchairs: Gio, Sixpenny
Lorber installed shadow-box millwork over the brick wall to add refinement to the room. She removed the toe-stubber of a hearth, replacing it with one flush with the floor. Both the hearth and the fireplace surround are covered in a gray-toned brick veneer that complements the wall paint.
Armchairs: Gio, Sixpenny
Thick bookshelves separate the dining area from the family room, providing a semiopen feel. Among the couple’s books, Lorber arranged special heirlooms including the large vase, a vintage camera and a pair of baby shoes turned into bronze bookends. The scalloped wicker floor lamp and the cushy striped armchair make this a cozy reading corner for a quiet afternoon.
This hardworking side entry connects the garage and side yard to the family room and serves as both a laundry room and mudroom. Lorber reconfigured the space and outfitted it for maximum efficiency.
To capture the English cottage vibe, she suggested brick-look porcelain tile composed in a herringbone pattern on the floor, and the homeowners liked the tile so much that they wanted it repeated on the backsplash. A dark-stained maple butcher block countertop provides space for folding, and it was sized to accommodate a large rolling laundry hamper underneath. Other accoutrements not shown in the photos include a swing-out rod for hanging clothing, a drop-down drying rack and a wall-mounted ironing board.
To capture the English cottage vibe, she suggested brick-look porcelain tile composed in a herringbone pattern on the floor, and the homeowners liked the tile so much that they wanted it repeated on the backsplash. A dark-stained maple butcher block countertop provides space for folding, and it was sized to accommodate a large rolling laundry hamper underneath. Other accoutrements not shown in the photos include a swing-out rod for hanging clothing, a drop-down drying rack and a wall-mounted ironing board.
The bench’s wood top matches the folding countertop. Tongue-and-groove paneling, Shaker-style cabinets and a botanical Roman shade bring in layers of English cottage texture.
Previously, the small powder room could accommodate only a tiny sink. To make room for a vanity, Lorber moved an awkward opening with a space-hogging swing door and installed a pocket door.
Sweet floral wallpaper brings the outdoors in, while a side table repurposed as a vanity adds old-world flair. Converting the side table was challenging as it needed to house the plumbing. Lorber pushed the table out 5 inches from the wall to accommodate the pipes, then extended the countertop to meet the wall. Other details include an ogee edge on the countertop and a mirror that echoes the curves of the arched backsplash.
Side table: Hooker Furniture
Sweet floral wallpaper brings the outdoors in, while a side table repurposed as a vanity adds old-world flair. Converting the side table was challenging as it needed to house the plumbing. Lorber pushed the table out 5 inches from the wall to accommodate the pipes, then extended the countertop to meet the wall. Other details include an ogee edge on the countertop and a mirror that echoes the curves of the arched backsplash.
Side table: Hooker Furniture
Upstairs in the primary bedroom, the couple wanted a favorite painting of a pair of swans. The color palette pulls from the garden-inspired greens used throughout the rest of the home. Lorber found a botanical toile comforter to go with the new teal upholstered headboard, then chose a color from the pattern for the drapes.
The changes in this room were mostly cosmetic except for the closet, where handsome cabinetry replaced dated bifold doors. There’s a hanging rod behind the lower doors, and the top cabinets have shelves for folded clothing, shoes and other items.
The mirror was custom-made in Mexico to accompany the dresser.
The mirror was custom-made in Mexico to accompany the dresser.
The designer expanded the cramped en suite bathroom by claiming an unused void behind the bedroom wall. This allowed her to expand the shower from 48 inches to 60 inches wide. Green paint on the vanity and antique brass finishes ensure the tiny space still feels like part of the cottage aesthetic. Making the most of every inch was paramount, and installing a pocket door saved space. To maximize the size of the vanity, Lorber had the door trim cut around the countertop.
A sit-stand desk was a must for the other homeowner’s office. When Lorber showed her a butterfly wallpaper for the ceiling, it was kismet. “She told me she believes butterflies are her late father visiting her,” the designer says. Pale pink walls and a brass ceiling light complement the wallpaper.
Sit-stand desk: Hulala Home
Sit-stand desk: Hulala Home
Because the homeowners wanted to keep TV noise off the first floor, this fourth bedroom upstairs became a TV den with a reclining sofa. The room had served as a home office before, and this massive safe sat right in the middle of it. Lorber found a better spot for the safe in a closet and added a hidden flip-up door above it for luggage storage.
The safe inspired a steampunk theme in the room, and the designer found three steampunk drawings to hang above the sofa. She also mixed in the husband’s childhood toys, including the locomotive above the window, as well as model planes she hung on the wall on the other side of the sofa.
The safe inspired a steampunk theme in the room, and the designer found three steampunk drawings to hang above the sofa. She also mixed in the husband’s childhood toys, including the locomotive above the window, as well as model planes she hung on the wall on the other side of the sofa.
Before: On the first floor, the kitchen and dining room were closed off. The laundry room-mudroom is in the center of the left side of the plan, and the garage is beneath it.
After: This plan shows the new windows along the back of the house, including the bay off the dining area, now top center. The kitchen is at the top right and the husband’s home office is below it. Moving the opening to the powder room, center left, and installing a pocket door made room for the vanity across from the toilet.
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House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: Marlton, New Jersey
Size: 2,200 square feet (204 square meters); four bedrooms, 2½ bathrooms
Designer: Distinctive Interior Designs
The front entry establishes the home’s classic style with traditional checkerboard flooring and shadow-box decorative wall trim. Lorber chose porcelain floor tile with digitally printed marble veining for durability. To add a modern touch, she incorporated black accents throughout the home, here with the semicircular console table. The vintage phone came from the treasure trove in the basement.
The tile flooring continues down the hallway into the kitchen and dining room. “A lot of my clients would not go for two different types of flooring on the main floor, but one of the homeowners is from Mexico and she was used to seeing lots of tile floors,” Lorber says. “Both of them liked the idea of the checkerboard mixed with hardwoods.”
Floor tile: Edward Martin