Michael Robert Construction together with Ellie Mroz Design reimagined this spectacular historic house of stone, brick and shingle located in Westfield, New Jersey. Built in 1929, this dwelling featured a “transplanted” decades old kitchen and living space renovation that was incongruous with both the historic elegance of the rest of the home and how the family lived.

The project team tackled this large-scale renovation project with a three-stage approach:

1. Change the floor plan of the main living spaces (kitchen, breakfast room, mudroom, entry way, hallway, powder room and laundry space) to give the space functionality for a busy young family of five.
2. Reinvigorate the space while paying homage to the architectural grandeur of the home.
3. Optimize access and flow to the home’s extensive outdoor entertaining/pool space.

Above: Beautiful dutch doors opens into the mudroom where a beautiful herringbone brick floor welcomes guests, while artwork on the wall reminds the family of their deep roots.

An indoor-outdoor fireplace in the breakfast nook as well as a roof deck with its own fireplace and spiral staircase make this home an entertaining family’s delight.

Archways, custom millwork, beams and materials all give the fully renovated space the feel that it was built with the original home, while color schemes, texture and selections make the renovated spaces both timelessly classic and fresh.

What We Love: This historic house in New Jersey was renovated for an active of family of five, honoring the roots of this home while giving it a refresh. The first level was completely rearranged to accommodate the family’s lifestyle needs. New cedar shakes, trim details, light fixtures, and an accordion-style window for the indoor/outdoor bar seating are some of the fabulous details that have transformed this historic home into a timeless beauty.

Tell Us: What details in this historic house rehab project do you find most appealing? Let us know in the Comments, we enjoy reading your feedback!

Note: Be sure to take a look at a couple of other notable home tours that we have presented here on One Kindesign in the state of New Jersey: Tour this seaside haven with bright and airy interiors on the Jersey Shore and Renovated modern home in New Jersey boasting impressive transparency.

Above: This kitchen is the heart of the home. The family loves to gather around and cook, eat, laugh, and do homework in this space, so the big island seats everyone. Highlights in this space includes a brick backsplash, the stained furniture-style island, granite countertops, a brass and pewter custom hood, dual full-sized refrigerator and freezer columns, a beautiful wood paneled wall, breakfast room, and plethora of organizational tools that are tucked away.

Above: This eat-in-area of the kitchen features custom dining chairs, a marble and hammered metal tulip-style table, antique mirrored chandelier from Visual Comfort and a dual-sided fireplace. A poolside bar lies just on the other side of the 14-foot accordion window that opens up to the expansive backyard oasis. An automated screen descends from the ceiling with the touch of a button to keep the pesky bug out of the rest of the house.

Above: A highlight of this dwelling includes a 14 foot long folding window that borders the breakfast room with an outdoor attached granite bar. While the window is open, an automated ceiling-to-floor screen keeps insects out of the remainder of the home.

Above: This indoor-outdoor bar in the breakfast nook is used for entertaining  throughout the seasons. A dual-sided gas fireplace is used for warmth and ambiance. 

Above: This hardworking mudroom features a durable authentic brick floor, a deep farmhouse sink, a hidden refrigerator and freezer, and a washer and dryer just steps away.

Above: A seamless transition from the mudroom to the kitchen leads to a secondary staircase to the family’s sleeping quarters. From here, you can catch a glimpse of the wood paneled wall, housing a coffee station and more.

Above: This brand new first floor bath features a custom vanity and Carrara marble floor.

PHOTOGRAPHER Laura Moss Photography