Builder: Jae Yoo Management, Inc.
Architect: Gary Indyk, Allendale
Kitchen/Bath/Interior Designer: Sharon Sherman of Thyme & Place Design, Wyckoff
Tile: Mediterranean Tile & Marble, Fairfield, and Wayne Tile, Ramsey
Stone: Stone Surfaces, East Rutherford
Window Treatments: Thyme & Place Design

For an Englewood Cliffs family, the decision to pursue a "build over" on their old and outdated home was for them, in many ways, a chance to come home again.

Home, this time, would be hip and modern, newly constructed from the ground floor up and stamped with individual personality and design details. It is those details, some great, some small, that can make or break the vision of the dream home, says Sharon Sherman of Thyme and Place Design in Wyckoff. Sherman oversaw the design of the interior spaces of the modified colonial.

"My clients loved where they lived," says Sherman, a certified kitchen designer CKD and a member of the American Society of Interior Design with 30 years in the design business. "They just felt the need to create a new, contemporary home on their property more conducive to the look and feel of the 21st century."

The home now boasts six bedrooms, each with its own spacious bath, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a wine cellar, a media room and a top-notch recording studio for the couple's son, who is pursuing a career in music.

"My clients took an active interest in the design details of their home, from choosing paint colors to furniture to window treatments," Sherman says. "For them, the end result is a unique home that they helped create from beginning to end."

Kitchen
What's not to love in this ultra-cool kitchen? Walnut cabinetry is stained in dark brown. Countertops are in antique brown and white America granite with a shimmering backsplash of Ann Sacks tile in white. The room features two islands, one working and one for casual dining. Open stainless steel shelves flank the commercial range for easy access to cooking and storage. "I placed floating shelves and obscured glass door fronts to break up the cabinet line and to provide interest," Sherman says of the kitchen's roomy feel. Nestled near the French doors that lead to the double-pergola patio sits a custom walnut table that comfortably seats six and where the family gathers for informal meals. A grey-blue paint hue from Pratt & Lambert's premier line can be found on the walls, adding a bold punch of color and interest.

Living Room
The homeowners chose a color palette of cool neutrals for the interiors of the home. In the formal living room, a stacked granite fireplace anchors the light-filled room. Custom artwork above the mantel from BRM Gallery in Vermont makes a definite statement. Window treatments are by Thyme & Place Design in Wyckoff. Walls are painted in Pratt & Lambert's "Whale," a soft ocean green hue that sets a warm backdrop for the blending of luxurious contemporary furniture, including two ultra-suede sofas and antique pieces from the homeowners' personal collection. Two round hanging chandeliers add modern elegance, and for a pop of color in each room, Sherman has chosen accessories and fabrics in orange. "It is the 'it' color right now," she says.

Dining Room
The dining room is a study in classic modern. A custom built-in with glass counter "floats" on the wall, lending an air of contemporary sophistication. The main feature in the room is the custom walnut oversized dining table. "It is a beautiful piece," Sherman says.

Ukrainian Eggs
Sherman created a recessed-lit, mirror-surround built-in off the foyer to house the homeowner's vast collection of family heirloom Ukrainian Easter eggs, hand decorated by her sister.

Master Bedroom and Bath Suite
A place of serenity was the vision that Sherman's clients were hoping to achieve for the master bedroom and bath. In the bedroom, a gas fireplace with a stone surround from Stone Surfaces in East Rutherford provides warmth and light on a winter's day. Custom built-ins to the left of the fireplace hold sound equipment and provide a work space for the couple. The master bath is light and airy. White Carrera marble tile flooring, opalescent glass tiles, a free-standing soaking tub with above built-in for television, and separate his and hers sink areas with deep open shelving and topped with wenge wood white quartz counters that resist stains are just a few of the outstanding features of this master bath. And the piece de resistance is the ladies dressing room, complete with sink and comfortable makeup and lounging area.

Guest Bedroom Suite
Tucked into the first floor is the guest suite – the perfect place for an overnight visit or weekend stay. Walls are painted in foliage green with furniture and accessories in soft browns and creams complimenting the wood tones. n

Son's Bedroom
The couple's younger son is pursuing an education and career in music. "It is a very cool room," Sherman says. "On display are all of the different instruments he plays."

Recording Studio
The professional recording studio, located on the lower level, is a musician's dream come true. Here the couple's son pursues his love for all things musical. Outfitted with the latest in audio and sound technology, the studio features comfortable seating areas for play and reflection.