Project Vreeland: From Blueprint to Breathtaking

Midland Park, NJ

THE STARTING POINT

The starting point for this project looked very different from most. This was a full-gut home remodel, and I was brought in at the earliest stages by clients referred to me by my friend—and past client—Meg. When I first met Danielle and Phil, we sat together with their contractor, reviewing architectural plans, talking through budget, and mapping out the vision for what their future home could become.

From there, I began working closely with Danielle and Phil behind the scenes to understand their style, aesthetic preferences, and where they hoped to splurge or save throughout the home. With that foundation in place, I started creating preliminary design concepts for the many rooms they wanted help furnishing and designing. This project would require frequent on-site visits, detailed planning documents, and multiple design presentations—a true full-scope partnership. I knew it would be a substantial undertaking for 2026, but I was genuinely excited to work with such an eager, warm, and collaborative couple.

Room under renovation with new windows leaning against the wall, a red step ladder in the middle, and floorboards torn up for remodeling.
Interior of a room under construction with drywall ceilings, a brick fireplace, and construction supplies on the floor, including buckets, a box, and a fire extinguisher.

THE TRANSFORMATION

This transformation unfolded over many months and required a tremendous amount of collaboration, organization, and attention to detail. As we moved room by room through my design concepts—reviewing layout ideas, hard surface selections, and soft furnishings—Danielle and Phil were truly a dream to work with. They were open, receptive, and trusted my instincts, which made the process incredibly smooth.

They followed my design process closely, providing quick, thoughtful feedback through my online platform where every detail stayed organized and accessible. Throughout the remodel, I helped them navigate tricky decisions, weigh pros and cons, and pivot when the inevitable surprises of renovation arose. They always had a trusted expert guiding them from start to finish.

Over months of planning, sourcing, and purchasing, we made smart choices with their budget while still achieving the elevated look they hoped for. And through it all, we genuinely had fun working together—turning a huge remodel into a creative, rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Living room with two white sofas arranged around a wooden coffee table, a white brick fireplace with a wooden mantel decorated with plants and artwork, natural light from windows, and a beige rug.
Living room with a white brick fireplace, green potted plant on a wooden mantel, and framed artwork. Two beige sofas, a wooden coffee table with a decorative bowl, a tray with a smaller plant, and a patterned cushion. A lamp and fireplace tools are n
Living room with a rust-colored sofa, beige armchair, round wooden coffee table with decorative items, large windows with beige curtains, potted plant, and wall shelf with framed pictures.
A cozy living room with a rust-colored sofa, beige armchair, wooden coffee table with plant and decorative items, windows with white and pink curtains, and a ceiling fan. Wall decor includes framed artwork and photos.
View of a kitchen sink across a window showing trees with autumn leaves, white cabinetry, gold hardware, and a paper towel holder on the countertop with decorative items.
Kitchen counter with green cabinets and open wooden shelves, decorated with various dishes and small decorative items. A window shows greenery outside, and a coffee maker is on the right side of the counter. The backsplash features colorful geometric
A woman in a brown dress pouring red wine into a glass in her kitchen.
Modern dining room with a wooden table, six rattan chairs, a striped area rug, a large window with white curtains, and a chandelier with globe lights.
Dining room with a wooden table, wicker chairs, a sideboard with a vase of green foliage, and modern decor including a black bottle, candles, and a floor lamp. A window shows green trees outside.
A bathroom with dark floral wallpaper, a large oval mirror, a white porcelain sink with gold fixtures, a white toilet, a gold toilet paper holder, and a small window letting in natural light.
A cozy bedroom with a large bed covered in a brown quilt and various pillows, two windows with beige Roman shades, a ceiling fan with wooden blades, a wooden nightstand with a lamp, and a framed landscape painting on the wall.
A cozy bedroom with a bed, multiple pillows, a side table with a lamp, three windows with curtains, a potted plant, a framed painting, and a rug on hardwood flooring.
Bathroom vanity with two mirrors, a large vase with green foliage, gold fixtures, and a towel hanging on the wooden cabinet.
A modern shower with green tile walls, a built-in niche with shampoo and body wash bottles, and brass shower fixtures including a rain showerhead and handheld shower.

THE REVEAL

The reveal for this project was one of the most rewarding moments of my career. After being displaced from their home with their two children for most of the year, Danielle and Phil were finally able to walk into a fully finished, fully furnished house—and the look on their faces made every bit of planning worth it.

Because this home required so many furnishings, accessories, and delivery logistics, I broke the install into two full days. Day one was all about laying the foundation: window treatments hung, rugs and key furniture pieces placed, and all remaining items brought into the home. On day two, every scheduled delivery arrived—coordinated to the hour—so I could oversee white-glove placement in each room. My team and I spent the rest of the day styling, adjusting, and adding the finishing touches that made the house truly feel like their home.

When the family walked in at the end of day two, their reaction was unforgettable—tears, smiles, and so much relief and joy. It was the perfect finale to a year of hard work, collaboration, and heart poured into creating their dream home. This project will always hold a special place in my memory.

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