Years of living in apartments shaped the look and feel of this modern ranch-style home in Bergen County, New Jersey. The new four-bed house, one of the houses The best homes in the worldIt couldn’t be more different from its one-story predecessors. While all of the apartments have dark wood and elegantly chic furnishings, this Bergen County family home is bright, bright, and comfortable. It is the perfect backdrop for family life and also for entertaining friends and family.
And that’s exactly what its owner, designer Melissa Gonzalez, had in mind. Melissa is the Director of the international architecture and design firm MG2 (Opens in a new tab)and founder of The Lionesque Group (Opens in a new tab). For over a decade she has been designing pop-up and store experiences for her clients. Her office is in Manhattan, easily accessible from her family’s new home in Bergen County.
Melissa wanted to create a good, circular flow and organic energy in the family’s new home. High ceilings, inviting indoor/outdoor spaces, and en-suite bathrooms were all part of the new living space. She also wanted a private bedroom for her daughter and plenty of space for her to play.
However, achieving this effortless, relaxed look wasn’t easy, Melissa explains. “We were building in the middle of covid and so of course we had to deal with supply chain issues and it was almost late closing our house because we were having a hard time getting an electrical panel,” Melissa recalls. Her perseverance and patience paid off because in just a year the house was finished and the family moved in.
a kitchen
(Image credit: LC Allison Photography)
Melissa’s kitchen ideas for the large open kitchen and dining area include lime-washed white oak paneling and other natural elements. It’s neutral, but for a made-for-island pop of blue. The top of the island is blue-veined marble, to provide a visual link with the blue cabinetry below and around the kitchen. The three lights above the kitchen island are from one of Melissa’s retail clients, Kathy Kuo Home.
Appliances, including stovetop, two wall ovens, and refrigerator are by JennAir.
Family dinner kitchen
(Image credit: LC Allison Photography)
It’s the perfect space for cooking with family and friends, and Melissa, her husband, and her daughter eat at this table every day. She chose a child-friendly seat on one side of the table, chosen especially for her daughter and nieces.
Formal living room
(Image credit: LC Allison Photography)
Formal living room living room ideas are very much in line with the modern, contemporary farmhouse aesthetic that Melissa envisioned for the home. The earth-toned palette is warm greens, browns, neutrals, and brushed golds, but the pieces are more modern and flashy than the other spaces.
“The seats in the formal living room are curved and a bit sexy,” says Melissa. “This room became our ‘salon’, where we have an old record player and photo galleries of some of our favorite musicians.
The sofa and chairs are by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.
Formal dining room
(Image credit: LC Allison Photography)
Anyone looking for formal dining room ideas will find plenty of inspiration in this smart space. The energy in the formal dining room matches that of the formal living room, where earthy tones swing to modern. Table and pendant lamp from RH. Portrait collage of Portuguese artist and friend Chiara Micozzi.
A view through the butler’s pantry is on the right, which leads into the kitchen, has a hint of deep blue, and links to the kitchen island and cupboards.
Family living room
(Image credit: LC Allison Photography)
For this family space, the living room ideas should be more relaxed and filled with everyday comforts.
“The family room is where we come together,” says Melissa. It’s the trio’s inner sanctuary and has a soothing calm you’ll see replicated in the bedroom.
As you move through the house to these family areas, the look is warmer and more comfortable. Earthy neutrals and textures are soothing and the look includes a center fireplace, linen shades, leather coffee table, basketweave magazine racks and framed photos of family and friends.
Basic bedroom
(Image credit: LC Allison Photography)
Are you looking for bedroom ideas? Get inspired by Melissa’s master bedroom design. It is a place of calm and relaxation with an earthy, neutral color palette. The walls are painted two-tone by Benjamin Moore, which gives the room extra dimension. The back wall, “Intrigue” is a dark green color while the other walls are a lighter shade of “Iced Marble”.
The ceiling pendant is from one of Melissa’s favorite interior designers, Kelly Wearstler. The artwork above the bed was sourced from a designer on Etsy and the bedding is from home goods brand The Citizenry, a client of Melissa’s.
“I love having a story behind the pieces in my house,” says Melissa. “I have a sentimental connection to this pair of white sofas, from our client Burrow.”
In fact, Melissa is always looking for ways to support entrepreneurs and asked Lauren Amoroso, her new residential interior designer, to be her assistant and help with some of the finishing touches in the bedroom, including the bedside table and lamps, which complement the organic elements and lamps. Earthy feel.
Girls’ room
(Image credit: LC Allison Photography)
This room was designed for Melissa’s little daughter to grow with her into her pre-teens and teens. Melissa wanted to create a soft, feminine energy for the space. The back wall features The Fairy Mural by Monique Lhuillier / Pottery Barn Kids and there’s a West Elm light fixture that looks like clouds above the bed.
bathroom
(Image credit: LC Allison Photography)
The key to Melissa’s interior bathroom ideas was to create a calming energy and organic flow from the bedroom. To ensure this flow, the color scheme is mainly white and gray with natural wood tones. An oversized barn door connects the bedroom to the bathroom. The artwork was purchased at a street market in Croatia. Melissa loves finding interesting and inexpensive artwork on her travels and adds special frames when she gets home to enhance her presence.
Building and outfitting the house during covid had some impact on Melissa’s choices, she explains.
“The tub is in the bathroom, it wasn’t the one we selected. The contractor called one day to tell us that if we wanted the bathtub we originally chose, it would take 18 months,” says Melissa. “We made another choice!” The bathroom she chose was similar in size to the original. , but the shape is slightly different.
Despite setbacks with Covid during construction, Melissa is happy with the end result.
“Our new home is exactly what I imagined,” she says. “Every decision we made was made with care and attention.
When we settle down, that’s how our home is, literally. Laying the foundation will take about three more months. I think the house grows with its residents. As we spend more time at each location, I know we’ll be adding new treasures and souvenirs from future travels, layering the new over the old.
