Project Reveal: A Craftsman Reimagined in Moorestown

Nestled on a mature, tree-lined street in Moorestown, New Jersey, just outside Philadelphia, sits a Craftsman-style bungalow that had everything a family could want on paper. A renovation and addition by the previous owners had expanded its footprint significantly, leaving behind generous square footage and beautiful architectural millwork that honored the home’s original character. But for our clients, a young family with two daughters, and their furry family members - a sweet black lab and two spirited kittens - the house felt a bit like a well-tailored suit that didn’t quite fit the person wearing it.

It was full of charm, but it lacked the specific soul and functional flow required for their modern, music-filled lives. We reimagined the home with thoughtful, highly personal details, like a cozy reading nook tucked into the snug for the girls, a dedicated table for puzzles and creative projects, and carefully considered material selections throughout. Velvet was chosen in key areas to discourage scratching from the cats, while durable performance fabrics were used for the dog and in the dining room, ensuring the spaces are as livable as they are beautiful.

Our mission for this full-service interior design project was to take these grand, sometimes empty-feeling rooms and infuse them with a fresh perspective. We wanted a design that felt rooted in the warmth of a classic English cottage but spiked with an edgy, international cool. They didn’t want fussy. They wanted a home where Friday night pizza and Eagles games felt just as natural as hosting a formal holiday dinner.

Solving the Architectural Hurdles

Every interior designer knows that the most beautiful rooms often start with a challenge. In this home, the challenges were structural. In the family room, a large, awkward bump out (the backside of a primary bathtub on the other side of the wall) jutted into the living space, creating a visual eyesore that was nearly impossible to decorate around.

Instead of trying to work around it, we decided to hide it. We designed a massive, custom walnut built-in that wraps entirely around the protrusion. This custom millwork solution, inspired by the Craftsman window mullions and original architecture, effectively swallowed the eyesore and turned a structural flaw into the room’s most stunning focal point. What was once a hurdle is now the anchor of the space, providing both deep storage and architectural integrity.

Making the Most of Every Space

One of the most transformative elements of this project was our approach to the home’s in-between spaces. The house has a wide, oversized hallway that serves as little more than a thoroughfare. Our clients knew they needed a home office and had considered using the hallway for more. But instead of just a desk and a chair, we were able to build an entire new room.

With the addition of custom cabinetry, we reimagined this transitional area as a snug on one side with a built-in reading nook and a table, and a full office on the other side. We added details like the walnut inlays and a desk area hidden by retractable pocket doors, which converted this pass-through into a destination. Much like the living room, there are structural elements hidden in the cabinetry. A bulky chimney stack is now covered and concealed inside the new office cabinetry to streamline the layout. This kind of thoughtful space planning is central to our interior design approach and proved that even the most underutilized square footage can become the most-loved corner of a home.

Redefining the Formal Spaces

The front parlor and the dining room presented a different kind of challenge: scale. The parlor was vast, with soaring ceilings and dark wood millwork that felt a bit hollow. Our goal was to give this large room the feel of a cozy room. We divided the room into three distinct zones: a main conversation area with the family's piano, a vinyl-listening nook, and a recessed bar.

The bar itself became a focal point - a large, custom built-in designed to feel fully integrated with the home’s original millwork. Rich cabinetry, thoughtfully placed shelving, and layered lighting give it both presence and warmth, transforming it into a destination within the room rather than an afterthought. It not only adds function for entertaining, but also helps anchor the scale of the space.

The furniture selections throughout these rooms were intentionally layered to strike a balance between comfort and character. Rather than leaning too heavily in one stylistic direction, we mixed traditional silhouettes with pieces that feel slightly more modern and relaxed. A tailored sofa anchors the main seating area while vintage-inspired stools, sculptural lighting, and streamlined tables keep the room from feeling overly formal. This mix creates a lived-in quality that feels curated over time rather than decorated all at once, which was important for a young family that truly uses every corner of the home.

In the dining room, we respected the existing high-end millwork but gave it a sophisticated edge. We kept the painted finish at the bottom but applied a deep, saturated green to the upper walls, creating depth and texture, allowing the space to feel cozy enough for a quiet family dinner, yet grand enough to host a full house for the holidays.

Color played an equally important role in softening the scale of these formal rooms. Deep olives, warm neutrals, and rich wood tones form the foundation, while rust, muted blues, and subtle patterns add warmth and personality. The palette was designed to echo the feeling of an English cottage while still feeling fresh and current. Layered rugs, patterned roman shades, and collected artwork introduce moments of contrast that keep the rooms visually engaging without overwhelming the architecture that already carries so much presence.

Curation was the final ingredient that brought everything together. Rather than filling every surface, we focused on meaningful groupings and pieces that feel collected rather than styled for a photograph.

A Harmonious Combo

This project was ultimately an exercise in harmony. We navigated the opposites of a husband’s love for music and modern cool with a wife’s love for traditional English heritage. By solving the home's functional flaws through custom millwork and bold color choices, we took a house that was merely nice and turned it into a home that is deeply personal, layered, and full of character.

Projects like this reflect our belief that great interior design should feel both intentional and effortless - tailored not just to how a home looks, but to how it’s truly lived in.

If you’re considering a home renovation or looking to create a space that better aligns with your lifestyle, our full-service interior design studio works with clients throughout Philadelphia, Moorestown, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas. We’d love to help you bring a thoughtful, personal vision to life.

To inquire about your project, get in touch - we’re always excited to collaborate on homes that are meant to be lived in and loved.

Until next time,

Libby