Margate, New Jersey is a popular beach retreat for East Coasters—and the perfect place for fun summers and cozy winter weekends alike. Far Studio, led by interior designer Brittany Hakimfar, was tasked with reimagining a ranch-style single-level house in desperate need of a modern update. 

The home had been in her clients’ family for many years. “The clients are from the Philadelphia suburbs and spend the summers at this house,” she says. “It was passed down to them, so they wanted to update it to best suit their family, which includes three teenage boys and two dogs.” Far Studio had just designed their primary residence, so they already had great synergy when it came to likes and dislikes, must-haves and elements to avoid. “They wanted this house to feel unique and fun, yet still warm and inviting,” Brittany says. 

Stepping inside the house, you’re greeted by a chic entry vignette with a Jeanneret-style bench. Then, there’s the bar—an existing piece that Far Studio refinished in a dark lacquer. The living room features a custom-made large sectional with room for the entire family, and a separate area for board games, sourced from Leanne Ford’s collection at Crate and Barrel. “They were the perfect fit for that space,” Brittany shares. The floor-to-ceiling fireplace is the focal point of the home, clad in a black zellige tile for maximum visual impact. 

There was a strict six-month timeline—ensuring the family could enjoy the home in the summer months—and was completed right on schedule. “It was a seamless project because the clients trusted us entirely and were truly speechless when they first visited the home,” Brittany smiles. “They could not believe the transformation and that it was still the same home.”