Eye-Catching Elements in a Warren Home

Each space has a focal point

The owners of this Warren residence like to entertain, says Pam Cooper of Cooper Interiors in Watchung. The designer ensured that the home would make a lasting impression on guests by incorporating design details meant to catch the eye. “Focal points are the visual anchors of each space,” she says. “They tell the eye where to land and give the room its identity.”

The circular chandelier in the entry, which features stylized flowers at its center, echoes the shape of the table beneath it.

Architectural Awe
A focal point of many of these rooms is the ceiling, where Cooper incorporated treatments that offer an additional dimension to the decor. The designer explains, “In both the kitchen and the family room, the ceilings are adorned with thoughtfully crafted wood treatments that infuse the space with warmth, texture and architectural depth.”

A tray ceiling in the kitchen is composed of deep wood panels that coordinate with the cabinetry and the range hood.

The kitchen features a tray ceiling with deeply stained wood panels that coordinate with the cabinetry and the range hood. In the adjacent family room, wood beams form Xs on the double-height ceiling. “These overhead details not only draw the eye upward, enhancing the vertical dimension of the rooms, but also establish a cohesive visual rhythm that ties the spaces together,” Cooper shares.

A double-height fireplace surround is a focal point in the family room. “The natural richness of the wood adds depth and warmth while the layered design introduces texture and sophistication. It’s a sculptural statement,” designer Pam Cooper says. “It anchors the room with timeless elegance, inviting both awe and intimacy.”

Perhaps the most distinctive element in the family room is the floor-to-ceiling fireplace surround. The dramatic, towering panel is a work of art, with layered pieces of stained wood that provide a spectacular swathe of texture and pattern. “What was once a modest, utilitarian, 1980s-style fireplace has been reborn as a breathtaking architectural centerpiece crafted from warm, layered walnut,” Cooper says. And there’s a method to the pattern of the pieces. “Each panel of walnut is meticulously placed, creating a rhythmic interplay of grain and tone that draws the eye upward, emphasizing the vertical expanse and grandeur of the room.”

A mirror at one end of the family room reflects the fireplace surround at the other end. “The strategic placement of furnishings naturally draws people into a room and subtly directs their movement, creating a flow that feels intuitive and inviting,” Cooper says. “These elements work especially well in open-concept spaces or transitional areas where visual cues are essential for defining purpose and guiding interaction.”

Signature Pieces
Cooper accentuated the home’s extraordinary millwork with eye-catching statement pieces, as evidenced by the living room entry, which is flanked by panels of decorative ironwork that add interest without obstructing sight lines. “We chose to replace the existing ornate columns with exquisitely hand-forged ironwork. It not only serves as a graceful partition between the living room and the hall, it also introduces a sense of openness and artistry.”

The entry to the living room is flanked by ironwork panels. Cooper notes, “Their intricate design offers a classic refinement that complements the surrounding architecture while subtly delineating the space without imposing on it.”

A sun-shaped mirror in the living room amplifies more than sunlight—it also reflects the iron scrollwork at the entry.

Purposeful Placement
It’s not just the furnishings that make these spaces special, it’s also the deliberate and considered way they’re incorporated into the design to maximize their effect. “I positioned focal points to draw people into the rooms and guide movement—like placing a striking mirror opposite a window to reflect light and expand the space visually,” Cooper says.

Indeed, mirrors are particularly effective at enhancing the aesthetic of a room. In the living room, for example, a mirror against the back wall maximizes the light but also reflects the ironwork at the entry, reiterating and emphasizing that focal point.

Deep blue walls against white millwork add drama to the office. The tiered tray ceiling features coffers that beautifully frame a crystal chandelier. The circular shape of the fixture contrasts with the straight lines of the ceiling, creating a pleasing juxtaposition between the two.

Cooper layered objects of interest throughout the home. In the office, an elephant print leans against a mirror, which reflects the room’s crystal chandelier. “The family took that photo while on Safari in Africa. I blew it up and had it custom framed.”

A sculpture on the dining room table echoes the upward curves of the ceiling light fixture.

Layered Interest
To increase the impact of the design even further, Cooper layered the spaces with interesting elements. “I didn’t rely on just one focal point. Instead, I created a visual hierarchy—primary focal points that grab attention and secondary ones that reward closer inspection.” In the office, a gleaming chandelier featuring ovoid crystals arranged along a gold circle stands out on its own, but it also emphasizes the multitiered and coffered ceiling above it.

Showstopping elements like these make every room special for guests as well as the homeowners. Cooper notes, “The clients envisioned living spaces that not only accommodate their social lifestyle but also serve as a true reflection of their personal style, refined taste and the warmth they bring to every occasion.”

Millwork defines one wall of a daughter’s bedroom, acting as a contrasting backdrop for the bed.