Interior designer Michelle Gerson creates a cozy sanctuary for family friends in Tenafly, N.J.
A sunken living room adds an inviting layer to the home.
THE PROJECT
When in the process of building their five-bedroom, 6 ½-bathroom dream home from the ground up, a young creative couple sought to create a comfortable oasis of luxury for their family to grow into.
A rolling ladder in the library adds a functional flair.
When it came time to finish the build and begin the interior design process, the pair called on their friend, fashion designer-turned-interior designer Michelle Gerson of Michelle Gerson Interiors to help bring their vision to life.
Ciuffo Cabinetry in the kitchen
THE CLIENT
“They actually had started this project a couple of years ago but stopped,” Gerson says of the clients who have three school-aged children and two Boston terriers. “[A visit to my home] rekindled their inspiration and desire to get the project finished—this is when they brought me in as a designer.”
A custom dining table by Michelle Gerson Interiors paired with Thomas Hayes chairs.
THE PRIORITY
The home features organic materials and a soothing aesthetic, and remains conducive to the family’s lifestyle. They omitted a formal dining room and instead opted for a builtin banquette for both family and guests. “The client said she wanted the house to feel like a warm, cozy blanket,” Gerson adds. “This is what we tried to emulate when making selections… They loved the sunken living room and overall clean but warm aesthetic.”
The Forchette chandelier by Materia and Kintsugi wallcovering by Porter Teleo in the primary bedroom.
THE DESIGN
Gerson selected a soft, neutral color palette that implemented warm, cozy textures and organic materials throughout the home. The primary bedroom and double-height library feature peaked ceilings with wood cladding that emulate the comforting feel of a treehouse. A similar warmth is created in the sunken living room complete with a full-height trowel-finished concrete fireplace.
Statuary tile in the primary bathroom was sourced from Artistic Tile.
THE OUTCOME
“This project was scheduled to be complete just as the COVID pandemic hit,” Gerson shares. “Construction was shut down in the state, and we didn’t know when we would be able to continue.” But at last, the project resumed, and Gerson and her team managed to craft a truly luxurious abode that is at once elegant and inviting.
Roll & Hill’s Excel chandelier hangs above a custom desk in the home office.
DESIGN DETAILS
TYPE
Single-family home
LOCATION
Tenafly, N.J.
ARCHITECTURE
Michelle Gerson, Michelle Gerson Interiors, michellegerson.com
Bruna nightstands by Worlds Away
RESOURCES
ARTISTIC TILE
Statuary tile in the primary bath, artistictile.com
B&B ITALIA
Vintage chairs in the living room, re-covered in Romo fabric, bebitalia.com
CASSINA
Seating and accent tables in the home office, cassina.com
DORNBRACHT
Bathroom fixtures in the primary bath, dornbracht.com
LIGNE ROSET
Pumpkin loveseat in the gray bedroom, ligne-roset.com
MAYA ROMANOFF
Wallpaper in the gray bedroom, mayaromanoff.com
MICHAEL ROBBINS
Mohawk Credenza dresser in the primary bedroom, mchlrbbns.com
MICHELLE GERSON
Custom beds, dressers, dining room table, seating and accent table in the living room, michellegerson.com
THOMAS HAYES
Dining room chairs in the breakfast nook, thomashayesstudio.com
WORLDS AWAY
Bruna nightstands in the pink bedroom, worlds-away.com
Custom cabinets pair with Circa Lighting’s Mara chandelier in the mud room.
