“Located in Chatham, New Jersey, our School Avenue project is in a desirable neighborhood with tons of suburban charm and access to the amenities of New York City,” says Trish Lynn, founder and principal designer of Colette Interiors. Her clients, a young family with two busy working parents, wanted a modern home that felt rooted in comfort, connection, and unique soul.   

“The clients had originally hired us to fully renovate their traditional Tudor of which we spent a year designing with an architecture firm,” Trish recalls. “But plans changed, and they purchased a newer build instead, and they asked us to carry over the same intention and design spirit into the new space.  While School Avenue didn’t require as much of a gut overhaul renovation as the original project, but each space we influenced and changed with our design direction.”

The interior style is modern and organic, featuring refined details that feel elevated yet approachable, but not flashy. “Custom furnishings, vintage accents, and curated finishes reflect the livable elegance of the homeowners,” Trish says. “Carving out cozy spots for reading and listening to records was a must, from the oversized swivel living room chairs to the moody library and quiet primary seating areas.”

Most impressive, the plastered living room fireplace is a quiet showstopper—a signature design intention carried over from the Tudor renovation. “It was simple in form, rich in tone, and texture,” Trish shares. “Where there was previously a wood burning stone fireplace, we converted it to gas and surrounded it in a plaster form, finished in Roman clay.  The result was a fireplace that feels timeless yet modern. It was a team collaboration between us and the builder, our plaster artist, and our fabricator to perfect it to our vision.”

The project took about three months to complete, and the result embodies the spirit of Colette Interiors: a home that is approachable, elevated, and meaningfully collected.

Take a a tour in the slideshow.