Port Washington, NY, Interior Designer Emily Rand’s clients were expanding their split-level ranch in posh Rosyln, NY, when they called on her to come up with a design plan that would give a cohesive and elevated look to their newly renovated home. “They wanted a big open family room connected to their kitchen and a master suite,” says Rand. “They love to entertain and wanted to make sure to incorporate a little bar.”
First impressions are important, so Rand started in the entryways with a modern, clean aesthetic. The front foyer is light and bright with a modern black console Designed by Rand’s firm and made by Jose Gonzalez Fine Furniture in Brooklyn, NY, while the mudroom is more moody with custom cubbies for storing needed shoes, coats and accessories. Soft gray sliding bins and a gray porcelain tile floor lighten up the space.
A dramatic powder room off the front foyer features a dark Elitis vinyl wallpaper and bold Ann Sacks tile.
Overall, the home has lots of natural light. Upstairs, their master suite has a home office adjacent, where they can work from home, and a master bathroom with adjacent vanity space. The clients wanted a blend of modern and classic elements. “Michelle has a great sense of style herself,” says Rand. “We used some fun colors like the mustard mohair chairs and white oak to give it a warm sensibility. Then we incorporated some modern accessories to kind of make it feel relevant and kept it really light.”
The living room is light and bright with marble around the fireplace, soft velvet club chairs in a pop of mustard, a custom white oak table from Jose Gonzalez, and a Crate & Barrel sectional. The affordable sofa enabled them to splurge on the wool rug from Campbell’s Carpet in Port Washington, NY, with flecks of color that tie the space together.
“It was important for us to make sure that was a focal point,” says Rand.
The custom bar was another area where they invested in luxury details, like the marble waterfall countertop and white oak custom cabinetry from DCL Manufacturing. Glass shelving with a mirrored backsplash are modern and sexy.
In the adjacent kitchen, Rand repurposed the shaker-style cabinetry with sustainability in mind. The white cabinets with black hardware put the focus on the dramatic island with a striking black marble waterfall countertop. Rand chose inexpensive stools and reupholstered them in a Romo fabric to recall a classic Chanel tweed.
The couple loves to entertain, so in the dining room, Rand and the clients paired the heirloom dining table with mohair dining chairs from CB2. The black Visual Comfort chandelier draws the eye up while color-drenching the room in a soft gray envelops guests in a jewel-box setting. The ceiling is painted to match the same tone of gray as the Romo suede wallpapered walls.
The continuity of gray, black and white throughout the house, with touches of color, create a soothing and elegant vibe, particularly in the bedrooms, where Rand chose a mix of high and low elements, all with soft textures and a neutral palette.
“In the primary bedroom, we really wanted something calm,” says Rand. The custom bed from Soleil is upholstered in a sophisticated and durable mohair fabric. CB2 nightstands, a soft blue-gray carpet from Campbell’s Carpet, and a bubbly lamp from Visual Comfort add layers of softness to the look. Custom shades in a Holly Hunt fabric are a linen and viscose blend for easy care.
In the teenage daughter’s room, an upholstered black bed with soft edges, white bedding, custom drapes with a leading-edge pom pom, and white end tables with black hardware are fresh and youthful without looking too childlike.
Rand says clients are leaning toward a more edited and modern look with neutral colors. “People are moving back to more modern yet classic style with warm tones to make it feel a little more subdued,” says Rand. Prioritizing spending more on details that give a custom and elevated look and choosing more economical yet stylish details that will see more wear and tear allows homeowners to create a timeless look that isn’t too expensive to keep fresh for years to come. Says Rand: “The important part in mixing high and low is to make sure that you find the more affordable items that are well made.”
Photo Credit: Regan Wood
