When a newlywed couple – he’s from New Jersey, she’s from California – moved out of New York City across the river to Weehawken, New Jersey, they decided that their first home together would be a new build apartment with spectacular city views. But, what is often the case with new-builds, it lacked personality and soul – hiring interior designer Sandra Funk of House of Funk they hoped that this white box-like space could be transformed into a home for their soon to be growing family.
“It is the first property they own together and they want to start with a clean slate and build it together,” Sandra explained. “Thus, the overall aesthetic is very cohesive, and we were able to weave both of their personalities through the entire space – east coast meets west coast.” The couple wanted to celebrate their love of nature and create a space that supported their healthy lifestyle. The first major decision that Sandra made was to install wooden beams crisscrossing the “Great Room”. “They bring in some of that earthy, rustic California vibe, as well as add soul and grit to the clean lines of the new build,” she said.
The “Great Room” is all about comfortable, intimate living – the homeowners wanted a living space centered around a comfy sofa where they could curl up and read a book or watch a favorite series. On the opposite side of the dividing wall, Sandra designed a dining area where the newlyweds could have a relaxed romantic moment over a meal at the end of the day. Right off of it, through barn doors, the designer converted the den into a nursery – one that is anything but cutesie. “The artwork and ceiling wallpaper in the nursery are bold but still soothing,” Sandra said. “I design rooms that grow with the child. The nursery is a real wow moment, and the space can be tweaked and refined over time to grow with the entire family.”
Just like the nursery, the rest of the home has a cohesive palette of soothing blues, grays, and neutral tones. “The NYC skyline and views of the water are stunning, and I needed to honor that beauty,” she shared. “In the morning, the sun reflects off of the side of the building showing the reflections of the water – the glistening light is truly magical. I played with that concept by lining the hallway with wrought-iron flush mounts with silver leaf and recycled glass and aquatic-inspired artwork. This allowed that glistening quality to continue throughout the home, bringing some of that magical outdoor sparkle, inside. Both of these elements bridged the gap between the outdoors and the indoors.”
After about a year, the apartment had been meticulously transformed to welcome the newly married couple to their new home. “We deeply appreciate all of the hard work and thoughtfulness House of Funk put into our project,” the homeowners commented. “We constantly have people tell us how beautiful the condo is. The designers made our home, a home.”
