Project Grant: A Thoughtful Transformation for Loved Ones

North Haledon, NJ

THE STARTING POINT

Project Grant was special because it was for my brother and sister-in-law, who had just bought a home right down the street from us—a dream come true for our family. Their ranch-style house was full of potential but hadn’t been updated in decades. Wallpaper covered the walls, the floors needed to be replaced and refinished, and the layout of the front living and dining areas felt long, narrow, and hard to imagine as a functional, inviting space.

They asked for my help designing these rooms because they knew this would become the heart of their home—a place for everyday family life, hosting friends, and gathering with their church community. It was meaningful to play such a big role in shaping their new space, and the unique layout gave me an exciting challenge to solve.

Living room with green carpet, vintage furniture, floral arrangements, large window with curtains, and a dining area in the background.
A dining room with a large wooden table and chairs, green carpet, a chandelier, and vintage furniture.

THE TRANSFORMATION

Once I landed on the right layout for this long, narrow space, the design fell into place. The goal was to maximize seating—comfortable spots for movie nights, plus enough space for hosting family, friends, and their church community. The dining area was small, but we made it mighty with a beautiful green paneled accent wall, created by a family friend. We chose an earthy sage tone that instantly elevated the space and set the mood for the rest of the design.

For furnishings, we took a practical, balanced approach. With little ones in the house, we selected budget-friendly pieces where it made sense, and invested in a few key items built to last. This thoughtful mix allowed us to stay comfortably within budget without sacrificing style. In the end, the space became a cozy, modern-transitional retreat that feels inviting, elevated, and perfectly suited for their family life.

A cozy living room with a wooden coffee table decorated with a beige vase holding green leafy branches, a string of wooden beads, and books, with a white sofa and plaid pillow in the background, and a lamp and window letting in natural light.
A wooden console table with two brown ottomans underneath, decorated with a table lamp, potted plant, gray storage boxes, candles, a cup, and a vase, against a white wall with a large abstract painting.
Decorative wooden sideboard with a white ceramic table lamp, a tall white candle in a black holder, a bowl of decorative balls, and a small stack of books.
A woman with wavy brown hair sitting on a light-colored armchair in a well-lit living room, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a teal dress, sandals, and accessories. Behind her is a dining area with a wooden table, chairs, vases, and a chandelier
A cream-colored sofa with decorative pillows beside a window with sheer curtains, in a bright living room with a lamp and a door in the background.
Living room with white sofa, striped pillow, wooden side table, round mirror, table lamp, vase with greenery, basket with blanket and pillows, hardwood floor, and open doorway.
Interior dining room with a chandelier, wooden table and chairs, a large white vase with branches of white flowers, and green paneled walls.
Bright living room with white sofas, wooden coffee table, large window with white curtains, and hardwood floors, view of green backyard outside.
A cozy living room with a large window, white curtains, white sofas with pillows, a wooden coffee table with decorative items, a floor lamp, and a door with a wreath, all in a bright, airy space with wooden flooring.
A dining room with a wooden table, white and navy chairs, a chandelier, and decorative vases and shelves on the walls.
Bright living room with large window, white sofas, side tables with lamps, a wooden coffee table with a plant, candles, books, and decorative items, and views of greenery outside.

THE REVEAL

Revealing this project was especially meaningful. It’s always fun to surprise clients, but it’s another level when the client is your talented sister-in-law who already has great taste. When Alex walked in and saw her new family and dining spaces, her jaw dropped. She was thrilled, taking in every detail with so much excitement and gratitude.

For me, the joy was twofold—I loved giving them a space that truly works for their family, and I also knew I’d get to spend time there with them for years to come. And yes… I still happily curl up in those cozy swivel chairs every chance I get.

“From beginning to end, Katie helped us find good options in our budget and that fit our style! She is very efficient and talented and we couldn’t be happier with our end result to enjoy for years to come!”

– Alex

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