A Neutral Palette Sets the Stage

The Essex County home has an understated elegance

“Clean-lined furniture echoes the sleek, modern millwork, creating a sense of refinement,” designer Kristin Regen says of the kitchen. “At the same time, the inclusion of more traditional hardware and soft, tailored furnishings adds warmth and balance.”

Designer Kristin Regen signed onto this project — a new build in Essex County — when it was approximately eight months from completion. “The homeowner reached out after realizing the scale of the project was too overwhelming to manage alone, especially while balancing life with small children.” Regen, of Summit-based KR Interior Design, came to the rescue, helping her clients define their design preferences.

Tailored chairs in the kitchen dining area reflect an unfussy design in the kitchen.

“Their style leans toward elegant and polished, with a transitional sensibility,” she says. “They envisioned a clean, comfortable aesthetic that balanced timeless traditional elements with touches of high-end modern design. They also wanted an easy, neutral foundation that could be refreshed in the future with updated pillows and accessories.”

Nicely Neutral
The home is primarily furnished in a palette of white, gray and taupe — an understated combination that sets a soothing tone. The kitchen is bright and breezy with white cabinetry and a gray-and-white backsplash. The living room, a sea of gray and white, gets a warm embrace from taupe grass-cloth wall covering. Likewise, the primary bedroom features white bedding and furniture against gentle gray walls.

The beauty of muted tones is that they allow for easy modification when the impulse arises. Regen explains, “We began with a warm, neutral palette as the foundation then layered in depth and interest through subtle prints and textures.” The centerpiece of the family room is a case in point; a large ottoman/coffee table is upholstered in a leather basketweave fabric. The rugs throughout are varying shades of gray, but each is composed of materials that add texture and depth.

Two deep armchairs add a bit of color to the family room. “The furniture was kept modern, clean-lined and versatile, while color was thoughtfully introduced at the final stage through accent chairs, patterned pillows and curated accessories,” Regen says.

Many spaces also display judicious doses of pattern or color: deep purple chairs in the family room are accented with geometric-patterned throw pillows in contrasting colors. Throw pillows add subtle color in the living room as well, with fabric featuring assorted shades of green.

In the living room small pops of green add a hint of color. “Large, black-framed windows add a contemporary edge, allowing more natural light and giving the house a modern feel,” the designer says.

The living room chandelier — a showpiece featuring tiered panels of glass — is framed by millwork on the coffered ceiling.

Dramatic Interludes
Though the palette is reserved, the designer added some attention-getting statement lighting that draws the eye. “Light fixtures were chosen to feel both high end and timeless,” Regen says. In the family room, a chandelier featuring a cluster of patterned glass orbs seems to float at the center of the room. The living room gets an icier treatment with a light fixture composed of tiered panes of swirled glass. The dining room chandelier has a multileveled array of prisms lined up and accented with brass rods.

Walls in the dining room are deep gray. Regen says, “The mirror became a focal point I absolutely loved, and I wanted to frame it in a way that felt intentional and striking.”

The dining room walls are also striking; they’re swathed in a deep gray tone that’s a departure from the lighter shades found elsewhere. “I envisioned bold walls that would set the mood for dinner parties while creating a sense of drama,” the designer notes. The wall color also helps bridge the gap between light and dark in the space. “At the same time, the design helped soften the contrast between the dark wood case piece and the surrounding walls, creating a more harmonious balance.”

The serene primary bedroom features a wall of millwork behind the bed.

The fireplace in the primary bedroom features a floor-to-ceiling tiled surround.

Regen’s attention to the overall aesthetic ensured that the home would be stylish, serene and supremely livable. “This young family wanted a home that reflected their vibrant family life,” she says. “The design needed to be elevated while accommodating everyday functionality. The vision for this home was centered on an everlasting design that felt both classic and current, paying homage to the home’s timeless character while embracing a fresh, modern perspective.”

Sage green becomes its own kind of neutral on the walls when combined with the grays and whites in a bedroom.