When relocating from California to Chatham, New Jersey, a young family found the perfect landing spot on a tree-lined cul-de-sac. The house required some updates to accommodate their day-to-day needs, and they wisely tapped Trish Lynn of Colette Interiors for the remodel.
“We redesigned the entire house, with a major focus on the key gathering spaces, kitchen, bedrooms, and all bathrooms,” Trish explains. “The project included architectural enhancements, custom millwork and cabinetry, layout changes, and comprehensive finish selections that brought cohesion to the home and aligned every space with the family’s lifestyle.”
The clients’ biggest request was to create a home that balances beauty with real, everyday livability. “The family are avid readers and musicians, and love to entertain, so creating spaces that support both quiet moments and lively gatherings was essential,” Trish notes. “And above all, they wanted a home that feels calm, cohesive, and deeply personal to how they live.”
Entering the home, Trish designed the staircase to be the architectural hero. “The entire foyer was reworked to be more open to the above and below,” she explains. “The millwork paneling, updated staircase design, and the modern bubble chandelier bring together old-world craftsmanship and contemporary balance.”
There is a formal living room that is tailored and refined, with a soft neutral palette enhanced by deeper earth tones. “It was designed as a music space for the family incorporating a piano and harp,” Trish explains. “The sculptural light fixture and clean-lined fireplace give it an elegant, quiet sophistication.”
The kitchen blends soft, layered neutrals with natural white oak and authentic Taj Mahal quartzite. The ceiling detail, painted planks framed by warm beams, provides a clean-lined backdrop to a classic design. Trish added a furniture-style island, rich brass accents, and oversized glass pendants—all of which work together to create a space that feels light, fresh, and quietly luxurious.
“One of the focal points of the house was their dining room, which they wanted to have an entertaining, bistro-style, library feel to it,” the designer explains. She designed it to be multi-purpose, fulfilling needs from everyday curling up with a book to entertaining that lingers long into the evening. The deep green millwork and integrated library shelving create a collected, intimate atmosphere, while a built-in banquette wrapped in rich olive velvet is a coveted corner. To keep the party going, there’s a bar painted Tanner’s Brown by Farrow & Ball, with warm oak paneling, glass-front uppers, and brass hardware.
The primary suite is mostly neutral, encouraging relaxation for the busy couple. The bedroom is outfitted in soft textures, tonal layers, and tailored upholstery. “The custom bed, the cozy seating nook, and the statement chandelier give the room both presence and serenity,” Trish notes. “The marble wrapping the tub is one of my favorite moments—it feels like a modern interpretation of classic luxury. The tailored café curtains soften the stone beautifully, while the sculptural light fixture adds just the right amount of drama without overwhelming the room.” To finish the space, she added a custom mirror.
More functional spaces all received the same stylish treatment. The powder room features a bold floating vanity, the mudroom is wrapped in a deep, saturated Hague blue, and the laundry area was designed to make everyday tasks feel calm and efficient.
The project unfolded over roughly a year. While there were hiccups in permits that caused the project drag on longer than the homeowners had anticipated, they were deeply appreciative of their new home. “The designs felt truly intentional, with ideas for how or who would be using each space,” Trish says. “It was reflective of our clients and their extended family and felt warm, grounded, and welcoming on their arrival.”
