This spot has been affectionately dubbed as Sunnybrook. A place, not an address. And every summer around July 4th, my most favorite people in the world make their way back from Utah for their annual family vacation. As for my friends, Lisa and Eric, what was just their childhood home has now become a place they look forward to bringing their families, making some of the most incredible memories.
I personally would love to be a Kandell or Lovell kid…this is the place dreams are made of—seriously. Handel’s ice cream eating, all day swimming, fish catching, crawdad finding, golf cart riding, fort building, donkey feeding, and slip-and-slide sliding.
See what I mean? Now you probably want to be one of them too.
With all of the fun times outside, there were two rooms on the inside that were really needing new life. After forty some years, owners Sue and Jim decided it was time to make a change. When they reached out, I, of course, was happy to oblige. This home is the reason I love center hall colonials, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
With the help of my trusty pal, Shawn Crone, we were tasked with creating a functional living and dining room that people wanted to spend time in.
Our first and immediate way to get people to gather was by adding TV’s, yes, in both rooms. Relax, we used the Samsung Frame TV…in part because of its function, but mostly because it’s pretty and becomes a piece of art when not in use.
We then worked to incorporate the character and charm of the home by preserving the original fireplaces and wood floors but also infusing a much-needed modern vibe.
We landed on a thoughtful but casual look by mixing materials and textures: marble is balanced by brass, soft neutrals mixed with blue/green layers, and textures like wood and leather lend an air of coziness.
The kitchen also received a mini face lift…adding brown quartz counters, Ikat inspired backsplash, black cabinet pulls, brass lighting, and very durable leather counter stools. Take a look at the end result…these rooms are being used more than ever, and it’s easy to see why.