NORTHJERSEY.COM ❚ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 ❚ 3H
HOMESCAPE / ADVERTISING SECTION
Designed for Living
Family comes first
homeowners called me in
to collaborate on furniture,
fixtures and finishes.
The Solution:
To give the clients what
they wanted most — a sense
of space, I created a two-
fold design goal: create a
simple, clean look and stick
closely to their highly orga-
nized personal aesthetic.
Additionally, I wanted the
furnishings to convey style
Kathryn Cook
in a few strategic pieces.
time were shoehorned into
Color was my first deci-
a dark, tiny afterthought of
sion. To visually soften the
a den with the sofa literally
angles created by new dor-
wedged between the walls.
mers, I wrapped the room
To gain the space they
in Benjamin Moore’s White
needed, the only place to
Dove. This light background
go was up. After working
inspires an aerie feel. I
with an architect and con-
paired the white with neu-
tractor to raise the roof, the tral taupe and a rich navy.
Pink accents instill a calm
PHOTOS COURTESY
sophistication.
OF VIC WAHBY
To play up the natural
light in the late afternoon
The largest of two
and evening, I applied
window seat areas is
Phillip Jeffries rose-colored
designated for the kids,
grasscloth to the walls
where toys are out of the
way of foot traffic. Bench
behind the sofa and bar.
cushions are covered in a
This bit of texture, contrast-
pale indoor/outdoor fabric. ing with the smooth white
Wool carpeting in a light
frames of the artwork and
taupe with a subtle strié
the plushness of the uphol-
pattern wears well.
stery, creates a boundary
for the interior envi-
ronment.
Rich navy in a
performance velvet
covers the sectional
sofa. An acrylic
cocktail table with
rounded edges
floats in front.
A pull-up chair off
to the side provides
firm seating for
older adults. I did
not add a console
under the TV on the
facing wall, leaving
ample floor space
for playing or for
sleepovers.
A slim desk tucked under a window accommodates two young
I gave a lot of
artists or homework-doers. The active seating works for both
children and adults alike and moves easily underneath. Pink accents thought to the floor-
instill a calm to the space.
ing selection. With
The Designer:
Kathryn Cook, Allied
ASID, Kathryn Cook
Interiors, Essex Fells, NJ,
www.kathryncookinteriors.
com
The Challenge:
A pristine house in a
leafy neighborhood — com-
pact, neat, and well cared
for — had a glaring flaw: no
space for family and friends
to hang out, play and visit.
For these longtime cli-
ents, no basement or family
room has always meant
that playthings, arts and
crafts, homework and TV
Seating is deep and comfortable for all ages with a see-through cocktail table that
keeps the space open. The Phillip Jeffries rose-colored grasscloth plays up the light
in the afternoon and evening and adds a bit of texture, contrasting with the smooth
white frames of the artwork and the plushness of the upholstery to create a bound-
ary for the interior environment.
bedrooms below and
kids always on the floor,
I chose wool carpeting in
a light taupe with a subtle
strié pattern.
To capitalize on the
incoming light from the
windows, I installed simple
white screen shades that
disappear when raised and
blend with the wall color
when in use.
As order and organi-
zation were key features,
the built-in bookcases are
fitted with baskets to corral
small toys and provide
space for stacks of books
and games. Storage built
into the window seats
holds a menagerie of other
playthings. On the opposite
side of the room, a desk
area is for homework or art
projects.
So that snacks and
drinks are easily accessible,
I added a bar with beverage
fridge and hidden micro-
wave.
The new family space
has been truly delight-
ful — earning rave reviews
from all. It has an ageless
appeal and gives the family
a retreat-like atmosphere
where they can relax
and enjoy one another’s
company.
The New Jersey Chapter
of the American Society of
Interior Designers (ASID)
offers a resource for con-
sumers interested in obtain-
ing the services of a quali-
fied professional interior
designer.
For more information,
visit Find A Design Pro
section at www.nj.asid.org.
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