We purchased our home 7 years ago, with the intent of renovating the entire first floor. But you know how that goes – we’re way too busy, our pets will be stressed, who wants to live in a construction site, and on and on. Moreover, as a NJ home stager, it's my job to make other people's home look beautiful, but mine was outdated and in deep decline.
Over the last few years I began designing spec homes for Millennium Custom Homes in Short Hills & Summit, NJ. They do extraordinary work, which I know because I work with many luxury, new construction builders, staging their homes.
Now we had a trusted builder and I had the experience to finally design my dream home. I wanted to accomplish 2 things - a design that I loved that would also stand the test of time for when we decide to sell.
We gutted the entire first floor (walls, hardwoods, kitchen, powder room, trim - everything) as you will see in the before-after photos. This was no small job!
I did my research and found this reclaimed wood at the Real Antique Wood warehouse in Edison, NJ. They deconstruct old barns in Ohio and ship all over the county. If you're looking for reclaimed wood this is the place!
I used Benjamin Moore's Storm (AF 700) to contrast with the white cabinets. The molding is painted Benjamin Moore Decorator's White (CC-20)...
I chose simple shaker cabinets and subway Carrara marble backsplash because they are timeless and true to the home's era...
We removed all the plaster walls and ceilings and replaced them with Sheetrock.
We used the same reclaimed wood to build the new fireplace mantel. I used Benjamin Moore's Sterling (1591) - a gray with a slight blue undertone...
We replaced all the chipped up molding and trim, but kept true to the home's traditional style.
To keep with the reclaimed wood theme I purchased this dining room chandelier at Crate&Barrel...
I have to give a shout out to NJ's Millennium Custom Homes! They finished this entire project in 7 weeks (just in time for Christmas) and came in on budget, something unheard of when renovating! We couldn't have asked for a better experince!
If you have any questions on our renovation, please feel free to ask!
