This Spring, I was asked to be a part of The Bernardsville Designer Show House presented by Aspire Design & Home. This show house was particularly special to me, as it benefitted the Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Foundation. My incredible mother is a survivor, and was the inspiration for the entire primary bedroom retreat. I wanted to create something that was tranquil and relaxing without sacrificing my signature luxe, rich texture.
The Bernardsville Designer Show House was an entirely new build project, which made for an exciting blank slate to work with to craft a space of restoration for my mother and other breast cancer survivors. Without any design limitations or client wish lists, I was able to stretch my creative muscles and design without inhibition. Working on a designer show house gives you the opportunity to show your creativity & are able to infuse your value in your design.
One of the challenges of this space was creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere despite the soaring 18 foot ceilings. To bring them down a bit to help the space feel more anchored, I installed espresso stained wood paneling. This architectural detail added much needed warmth to the vast space, keeps your eye moving, and gives purpose to the enormous pitch. To help keep the design the focal point, I worked with CMI Interiors for custom drapery. Their length and width made going custom a priority and CMI made them so easy to operate. We used Kendall Wilkinson Design for Fabricut fabric which has a great pattern that still feels neutral. The blackout lining ensures quality, restful sleep, which was especially important to me while creating a haven for survivors.
Adding texture to the space, I sourced two matching area rugs from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams and combined them, unifying the bed with the lounge area. All the furniture was sourced from the amazing collection at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, but the bed may be my favorite. I love the substantial scale of it that fills the room nicely without overwhelming the person resting in it. The wings envelope you and the linen upholstery make it comfortable to lay back in and read.
Circa Lighting, my go-to for all client projects, provided the lighting throughout the suite. The Kelly Wearstler lamps have an incredible sculptural element to them. I mixed things up with a more traditional dresser on one side and a round accent table on the other. By keeping the lamps the same, there is still an aesthetically pleasing balance despite the differing nightstands.
In the lounge area, I opted for modern arm chairs with leather detailing. They are perfect for putting on your shoes in the morning or catching up on emails in the afternoon. A small cocktail table was placed between them to catch your morning cup of coffee. Adjacent, the focal wall is a contemporary take on the classic gallery wall. Sourced from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, I paired a set of four abstract prints and flanked them on either side of the focal piece. The incredible music note artwork inspired by my mother's love for music brings me so much joy and tranquility, even with its chaotic and abstract presentation. The real star of the focal wall is the pair of Elroy Arm Chairs. Available in over 300 upholstery options, I used this amazing geometric pattern to mimic the wall art above. They are magnificently comfortable while acting as artwork themselves.
Down the hallway, I was so excited to use wallpaper from The Vale London. Melinda Marquardt's patterns are timeless and unique, and The Panamania Paper was perfect to bring some added personality to the space. I carried her work into the bathroom and used her Marbled Collection in the water closet.
Although this was a very unusual show house experience due to the pandemic, it is one of my favorite spaces created to date. I feel immensely honored to have worked on the project and can't wait to kick off the next show house. If you're interested in working together, read all about my interior design process here. Never hesitate to inquire - I am readily booking projects to begin in the next 60 days and am eager to serve you with our signature concierge level interior design service.
Photography by Lisa Russman