Classic charm and modern comfort combine in a Westfield home

The steadfast style works for people and pets!

Susie and David Herman’s Westfield home, built in 1930, needed a new look—something airy and bright for modern living yet respectful of its provenance. “The homeowners were looking for a traditional aesthetic with a fresh, comfortable, classic feel,” according to Ellie Mroz of Westfield-based Ellie Mroz Design. “This was in sync with their neighborhood, filled with charming older homes. We wanted to pay homage to and enhance its original charm and history in the build, design and furnishings.”

A bench in the entry provides a perch for the homeowners’ golden retrievers to welcome visitors.

The goal of the project was to outfit the spaces with timeless furnishings and fixtures that recall a bygone era while remaining relevant in the present. Mroz explains, “Our selections for this home were all about enduring design and classic materials— nothing ‘of the moment’ or overly trendy.”

The expansive kitchen features white perimeter cabinetry and a dark-stained island with seating for four. “The homeowners are avid foodies who enjoy cooking and wine, and they share this passion with company,” designer Ellie Mroz says.

A custom bar in the kitchen dining area is painted deep blue to coordinate with pops of blue elsewhere in the home. “The full bar and banquette seating gave our clients plentiful room to cook and entertain,” Mroz says.

A Neutral Palette
To that end, the design features a neutral palette that acts as a foundation for assorted pops of blue—a favorite of the Hermans and the designer that’s used in judicious doses throughout the home. The textiles are soft and understated, keeping the mood light, and feature traditional patterns that work with the home’s architecture. “We carefully chose fabrics and finishes to merge classic design with our fresh aesthetic,” Mroz notes.

Hits of Color and Pattern
Small doses of plaids and florals—including two chairs in the dining room, throw pillows in the entry hall and primary bedroom, and a window treatment in the second-floor bathroom—add subtle interest. They bring pattern to the spaces without disrupting the peaceful vibe. “These are far from what you conjure when you think of your grandmother’s curtains or your grandfather’s favorite club chair,” Mroz shares. “Think serene linens with an organic feel and color scheme.”

The dining room features traditional Windsor chairs and head chairs upholstered in a classic plaid. Blue/gray walls create a cozy vibe and complement the hits of blue in other spaces. “Blue is a favorite of the homeowners and us too! Its use creates a cohesiveness throughout the home.”

Merging Old and New
The designer deftly merged traditional furnishings with fresh elements, creating a harmonious blend of old and new. “We are all about updated classics with natural materials and modern silhouettes,” she says. “The upholstered furnishings are modern takes on classic forms. The turned legs of the dining room table work with the historical millwork, while the serene color scheme and mix of finishes offer a fresh flair.”

Natural Materials
Natural materials—stylish in any era—give the home a cozy feel. Hardwood floors in most spaces coordinate with wood furniture and fixtures in a variety of tones. Hexagonal concrete floor tiles in the mudroom add a rustic touch against the more modern silhouette of the cabinetry. “Embracing woods and mixing textures and finishes gives a lived-in, comfortably curated look to each space,” Mroz says.

The soft tones of the primary bedroom create a soothing, restful ambience. “Throughout the home, we integrated tried-and-true standbys such as plaids and florals,” Mroz says. “Our rugs are typically hand-knotted, and when they are patterned like this one in the primary bedroom, we lean toward vintage-inspired patterns in desaturated palettes to add interest and warmth.”

The understated palette continues in the primary bathroom with light gray walls and a muted floral window treatment. Soft, drop-shaped wall sconces are a subtle touch between the mirrors. Mroz adds, “The lighting and hardware are tailored, have an Old World feel and are complementary, not overpowering.”

Pet Friendly
And that was important to the homeowners, who wanted their home to be aesthetically appealing but also practical. “Nothing in the home is too precious for anyone, including the couple’s pups,” Mroz notes. “This house was furnished to be enjoyed by humans and pets alike!”

Golden retriever Daisy relaxes on the concrete-tiled floor in the mudroom.

In fact, several rooms have specific accommodations for the Hermans’ beloved golden retrievers, Daisy and Meadow. The mudroom has a dog-accessible door (not shown) and the foyer features a piece of dog-friendly furniture. “We strategically placed a bench in the entry,” Mroz explains, “so the pups can enjoy the street view and welcome company.”

Daisy and Meadow snuggle in front of a plaid ottoman/coffee table in the family room. The designer chose hard-wearing textiles to stand up to wear and tear. “The family room sectional is custom-upholstered with a trusted performance fabric,” she says.

Welcoming is exactly the word for this home, thanks to a thoughtful redesign that considered the structure as well as its occupants. According to Mroz, “Our biggest challenge was updating and furnishing a Colonial-style, traditional home to accommodate modern lifestyles. We paid careful attention to proportions and materials to make this work. At the end of the project, renovations and furnishings brought new life to a home that didn’t previously respect its roots or the homeowners’ goals. While this home leans a bit more traditional than our signature aesthetic, its aesthetic lies within our happy comfort zone of ‘Modern Traditional’ —creating inviting, approachable, layered and livable, fresh and timeless spaces.”

In the guest room, luggage racks are conveniently positioned at the foot of the bed.

A green floral window shade accentuates the blue vanity in the second-floor bathroom.