Led by Principal Designer, Trish Lynn, Colette Interiors designs at the intersection of timeless and modern. In her own 1895 home, this ethos shines bright.  “The coastal cottage is located in Bay Head, NJ, a barrier island separating Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean,” Trish tells us. “We love its ideally spaced location between town, the beach, and the bay.”

The first floor of the home was in beautiful condition after a 2010 renovation and restoration, post-Hurricane Sandy. “However, the second floor needed a little TLC,” Trish recalls. “The sole full bathroom on the second floor was comprised of a single pedestal sink and clawfoot tub, original to the over 100-year-old home. We embarked on our first, of three, renovations on this space during our first year within the home.” 

The second renovation included adding a screened-in porch, which was inclusive of an outdoor kitchen, dining space, and living area. “That renovation thoughtfully extended our first floor living space, creating a seamless indoor and outdoor flow,” the designer says.

Her most recent (and third) renovation once again focused on the bathrooms. They extended the footprint of the second floor, adding on to the primary bedroom space, incorporating closets in all bedrooms that formerly had none, adding a second bathroom primary en suite, and a thoughtful update of the first-floor bathroom.

“We had always been so on top of one another on the second floor,” Trish recalls—mentioning her three young girls. “I really wanted the primary suite to feel like it was tucked away from the rest of the house…like our own personal sanctuary.”

The primary suite has finishes that read coastal—but not cliché—and have a soft, organic, authentic nature. There’s European oak flooring, a white-washed ash wood ceiling, limestone paver tiles, a marble countertop and integrated sink, and bronze details. “The primary bath is uniquely hidden behind an antique barn door, that we sourced and restored as a statement piece to the space,” she says. “The primary bath, though small, was made to feel more expansive without the door swing and with the elimination of the shower curb.”

In the guest bathroom, Trish went all in on the European inspiration. “The limestone flooring, vanity design, roman clayed walls, marble arched shower, and hand painted terracotta tiles all fell under this influence,” she explains. “So many people asked me if I was going to put a shower door on the arched entrance. This is a vacation home; I wouldn’t dream of it.”

Trish admits the biggest challenge was maintaining the home’s originality and authenticity. “We wanted to be sure we were not going to take away from the quaint, cottage like charm of its original exterior by adding onto it,” she says. “We worked closely with the architect and builder to make the extension feel as if it had always been there. It was all about continuing to embrace our slanted roof lines, dormers, and unique architectural details that paid homage to our home’s originality.”

Now, it’s a comfortable space that is decidedly modern, yet timeless and true to its history.

Take a tour in the slideshow.