When thinking about purchasing first homes, excited buyers envision not only the changes they want to make, but also the times that will be spent there. Five years ago, Rachel and Tyler Grace weren’t just dreaming about sophisticated crown moldings upon finding their single-story 1920 Craftsman bungalow in Haddon Heights, NJ; they were also planning for the future arrival of now-two-year-old daughter, Selby Lake. Rachel, an interior designer and manager of furniture and lighting product development for Anthropologie, chose to put special emphasis on her home’s architectural details while keeping the place family-friendly. Tyler, an interior remodeling contractor, is the principal and head carpenter of TRG Home Concepts. Through various collaborations on professional projects as well as their own residence, Rachel has learned about the technical side of renovating, while Tyler counts on Rachel’s aesthetic design eye.
The homeowners completed one room at time. In total, it took them five whole years to redo the house to their specifications, as Rachel found herself booking Tyler’s time as would any of his customers. Beginning with the bathroom and finishing in the kitchen, Rachel and Tyler introduced at least one type of molding in each area. For overnight guests, walls paneled in white-painted wainscoting await. Selby’s room received an intricately-coffered ceiling. The living room fireplace is surrounded by built-in bookcases, and shiplap in the kitchen lends traditional texture. The bedroom closets were not even deep enough to accommodate standard hangers, so Tyler also rebuilt and expanded them to accommodate clothing (and Rachel’s few too many pairs of shoes). She’s thankful to have such a talented partner “who jokes that renovating has been a labor of love,” Rachel shares. “A labor for him and love for me.”
The home’s 1,100 square feet won’t hold the brood forever; with two adults, one small child, and eight-year-old chocolate Lab Shammy, Rachel anticipates wanting more space in the not-too-distant future. “We’re going to outgrow it and it’s going to break my heart,” she admits. “We started our family in our house and have literally put our blood, sweat, and tears into it.” —Annie
In the Haddon Heights, NJ kitchen of Rachel and Tyler Grace, banquette seating was installed to save floor space. Tyler wrapped the shiplap used throughout the room on the benches as well.
At some point in time, the back dining area of the kitchen had been an addition. The Grace family took advantage of the gable roofline and raised the ceiling, also removing a partial wall dividing the main kitchen.
After debating installing a range hood or a microwave, the couple realized they wanted maximum counter space and lower cabinet storage, so opted for an above-range microwave. Blue Linen Willoughby sofa in Denim from Anthropologie.
The living room fireplace was reimagined in a Craftsman style with flanking poplar bookshelves. Above, the homeowners IKEA-hacked a Grundtal Mirror with rope and eye hooks from The Home Depot.
"Sayonara drop ceiling!," Rachel jokes. In the bathroom, she and Tyler also replaced hollow core doors with classic five-panel models to match the originals found in the home.
Rachel and Tyler set out to make their detached garage resemble a carriage house. Tyler built the doors and the couple covered them in Benjamin Moore's Kendall Charcoal.
What are the paint colors used in the living room? I love the way the subtle wall color helps the white trim stand out!
Thank you Anne! The walls are Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl and the trim is Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White!
Gorgeous renovation! So bright and lovely. I would love to know to the gray paint color on the cabinetry by the washer/dryer closet and also the source for the beautiful slate (?) floor tiles if you are willing to share. Thank you!
That is gorgeous, I love it.
This renovation is stunning. I love how bright and white everything feels. Very clean and refreshing. What a joy it would be to come home to this!
The five-panel doors are great! What is the source? Thanks!
beautiful home! I’m also very curious about the floor in the kitchen- such s beautiful sheen and color :) are they stone or porcelain?
Amazing remodel. Gorgeous.
Nice renovation! Do you know where they purchased the simple bamboo blinds? Been hunting for an affordable blind option!
J.C. PENNEY! SO AFFORDABLE!
I’d also love to know the laundry cabinet paint color and tile source. Thanks!
Don’t leave then! It’s so perfect, and one more kid shouldn’t make you leave that beautiful place! Our own family made rentals of 1000 sq ft work for two, then three kids, before we got a bit more space. Others can only dream of living in such a beautiful home–great job! And good job in Anthro’s furniture, it’s always so beautiful too.
Lovely tones! So beautiful , clean and airy
I love this house! They did a phenomenal job. Do you know what the color they used on the shutters?
Love, love, love the house except for the bathroom counter, or lack thereof. I’ll always take a smaller bathroom sink over sacrificing someplace to lay my stuff!
This is really lovely. I am in the process of finishing renovation work on my condo so I can appreciate all the time, sweat and love you put into this project. Can you please tell me where you got this round table? I am looking for something similar for my kitchen and the biggest I can go is 30″ diameter. I’ve found this size rather hard to find.
What are the paint colors used in the living room? I love the way the subtle wall color helps the white trim stand out!
Thank you Anne! The walls are Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl and the trim is Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White!
Gorgeous renovation! So bright and lovely. I would love to know to the gray paint color on the cabinetry by the washer/dryer closet and also the source for the beautiful slate (?) floor tiles if you are willing to share. Thank you!
That is gorgeous, I love it.
This renovation is stunning. I love how bright and white everything feels. Very clean and refreshing. What a joy it would be to come home to this!
The five-panel doors are great! What is the source? Thanks!
beautiful home! I’m also very curious about the floor in the kitchen- such s beautiful sheen and color :) are they stone or porcelain?
Amazing remodel. Gorgeous.
Nice renovation! Do you know where they purchased the simple bamboo blinds? Been hunting for an affordable blind option!
J.C. PENNEY! SO AFFORDABLE!
I’d also love to know the laundry cabinet paint color and tile source. Thanks!
Don’t leave then! It’s so perfect, and one more kid shouldn’t make you leave that beautiful place! Our own family made rentals of 1000 sq ft work for two, then three kids, before we got a bit more space. Others can only dream of living in such a beautiful home–great job! And good job in Anthro’s furniture, it’s always so beautiful too.
Lovely tones! So beautiful , clean and airy
I love this house! They did a phenomenal job. Do you know what the color they used on the shutters?
Love, love, love the house except for the bathroom counter, or lack thereof. I’ll always take a smaller bathroom sink over sacrificing someplace to lay my stuff!
This is really lovely. I am in the process of finishing renovation work on my condo so I can appreciate all the time, sweat and love you put into this project. Can you please tell me where you got this round table? I am looking for something similar for my kitchen and the biggest I can go is 30″ diameter. I’ve found this size rather hard to find.
Stunning!