Designer Jennifer Palumbo Builds Her Dream House

This blog post details the new construction home of Tyler and Amanda Tarver in Benton, highlighting their design choices and experiences. The couple's journey began with an inspiring trip to Israel, where they connected with the author, Tanner Cangelosi. Upon visiting their new home, Cangelosi was impressed by the detailed design and unique style, suggesting Amanda pursue a career in contracting. The Tarvers shared insights into their family life, including Amanda's role at New Life Church Saline County, her support for Tyler's YouTube Channel (Tarver Academy), and their three children: Titus (8), Ezra (6), and Finnick (2). Tyler is the dean of NLC College and manages multiple YouTube channels. Their home's design plans were largely spearheaded by Amanda, who conducted extensive research using platforms like Pinterest, Google, and Instagram to compile a 'highlight reel' of open-floor plans and 'hipster features'. These compiled ideas were then provided to a draftsperson to create their custom blueprints. Tyler contributed his opinions for consideration throughout the process. Key aspects of their new home that the Tarvers love most include the open floor plan, which integrates the kitchen, living room, and dining area. This design choice allows Amanda to feel included in family activities while cooking and provides ample space for hosting guests. The inclusion of a pool is also a cherished feature for future enjoyment. Another favorite is the kitchen bar, which serves as a versatile space for family gatherings, meals, and children's homework or craft projects, fostering more family time. The design emphasizes functionality and communal living. The Tarvers also provided five money-saving tips for those considering building a house. Their advice includes utilizing Amazon.com for comparing quotes and purchasing items, undertaking non-dangerous tasks independently, and being present during construction to minimize material waste by subcontractors. They also highlighted the importance of managing return timelines for purchases and finishing certain areas of the house independently to reduce costs associated with per-square-footage charges. They deliberately chose smaller room sizes for their children, recognizing that the kids prefer to spend time in the main living area, thus maximizing space in shared zones and simplifying cleaning and decorating. The daughter’s private bathroom is also appreciated. The fixtures in their home were sourced from a variety of retailers, including West Elm, Cb2, and Wayfair, with Amanda noting that her favorite light fixture surprisingly came from Walmart. The color palette was selected by Amanda from Instagram photos, aiming for a bright, clean, and open feel with added character. The base color is white, complemented by wood tones, blacks, and golds, reflecting current popular trends and personal style. Both Tyler and Amanda expressed interest in building again in the future or assisting others with their construction projects, fueled by Amanda's passion for design and navigating the building process. #HomeDesign #NewConstruction #OpenFloorPlan #InteriorDesign #MoneySavingTips #FamilyHome #CustomBuild #DesignInspiration #ModernLiving

Residential architect Ying Li designed her family's Millburn home with a modernist sensibility, integrating traditional exterior elements with an open, airy, and contemporary interior. The design prioritizes natural light, movement, and flow while blending seamlessly with the neighborhood's character. The exterior of the home features cool gray tones and a combination of HardiPlank siding and stone, reflecting a modern aesthetic while maintaining a traditional appearance. Inside, a neutral color palette and clean lines serve as a canvas for the family's artistic expressions and personal touches, emphasizing a "less is more" philosophy. The living area, located to the left of the entryway, features a fireplace and an open plan, accented with strategic pops of color. The dining room benefits from ample natural light due to its southwestern exposure. Instead of traditional chair rails or molding, Li utilized sheet rock to add textural richness to the walls. A wall niche in the dining room provides a rotating display space for artworks, with one current piece painted by Li herself, showcasing the family's collective artistic talent. The kitchen, illuminated by southeastern exposure, also maintains clean lines, incorporating aluminum drawer pulls. The neutral backdrop of Carrara marble for the island top and absolute black granite with a leathered finish for the perimeter countertops allows fresh flowers and family artwork to stand out. Philippe Starck Emeco stools add a touch of durable, yet light, design. The living room's media wall features open shelving, ideal for displaying photographs and a continuously changing collection of family artworks. The master bathroom is designed for optimal lighting, with makeup lights integrated directly into the mirrors. While Scandinavian design often presents an austere appearance, Li softened this by incorporating wood veneer on the custom-made vanity, complemented by colorful accents that personalize the space. In her six-year-old son Thomas's bedroom, neutral Chelsea Gray walls serve to highlight the artwork displayed above his bed. His bedding, along with that of his twin sister Leila, is sourced from the Land of Nod line by Crate & Barrel. Leila's bedroom features a tray ceiling painted in a bold color, a unique design choice within the home's otherwise neutral scheme. Her own artworks are displayed on one side, while a Lino print acquired from CSM Art in Chatham hangs above her bed. The children's shared bathroom incorporates gray wainscot-height tiles. A distinctive overhead light fixture was crafted by Li's husband, also an architect, using a $20 lamp from Home Depot and a rice paper shade. For the artwork in this bathroom, Li created a unique and easy installation by using a paper punch to cut watercolor paper circles, which her children then painted and she mounted on the wall. #Millburn #InteriorDesign #ArchitectureAndDesign #Modernism #HomeDecoration #FamilyCreativity #NeutralPalette #NaturalLight #ResidentialArchitecture

This article highlights the design philosophy and home transformation journey of Dana Dore, a professional stylist, blogger, and Instagram influencer known as Adored House by Dana Dore (@adoredhouse). Dore, residing in Farmingdale, Monmouth County, New Jersey, has garnered significant attention for her ability to infuse charm and color into her family’s 1,700-square-foot, builder-grade home, making it appear older and larger than its 12 years and 8-foot ceilings suggest. She emphasizes that with clever decorating tricks, any house can become a dream home, a sentiment she lives by through her personal renovation projects. Dore's design approach relies heavily on vintage decor, which she believes offers unmatched quality and appearance compared to new items. Her home features a variety of pre-loved pieces, from antique art and furniture to restored cabinets, contributing to its unique character. Even the landscaping, with its mature garden beds overflowing with hydrangeas and roses, gives the impression of an established, vintage setting. She attributes her DIY skills and appreciation for antiques to her parents, who fostered an early interest in home improvement, painting, and collecting. This upbringing naturally led her to study art and design, culminating in a 14-year career in retail display before she transitioned into social media content creation. Her family home, shared with her husband Bob and their two daughters, is situated in a quiet, rural community but remains conveniently close to popular New Jersey Shore beaches like Belmar and Manasquan. This proximity influences her design choices, incorporating nautical references and timeless beach objects throughout the interior. Despite initial reservations about purchasing a new colonial-style house that lacked the charm she desired, Dore proceeded with the assurance that she could personalize it extensively. Her philosophy, "Love the one you’re with," encourages homeowners to transform their spaces regardless of the property's original character, especially given the current real estate market's limited inventory of older homes. The transformation of her home began in 2016, focusing on first-floor living areas, the primary bedroom, and her daughters’ room. Her daughters actively participated in designing their "sisters suite," a collaborative effort that reminded Dore of her own teenage experience renovating her bedroom with a Victorian theme. The home showcases an exuberant color palette, particularly favoring summery yellows and greens, complemented by classic patterns like stripes and gingham. Dore's passion for unique finds is evident in pieces such as her indestructible ship-hatch door coffee table, which is ideal for family game nights. She is an avid thrifter, frequently utilizing Facebook Marketplace to source vintage items within driving distance, including her daughters' twin beds, the kitchen table, and a spacious TV cabinet. For a quintessential summer home with a Shore vibe, Dore recommends white bed linens, fresh flowers, and homemade treats made with local Jersey peaches, ultimately advising homeowners to fill their spaces with cherished items for their loved ones. This article showcases Dore's expertise in interior styling, her ability to blend vintage elements with modern comfort, and her dedication to creating a personalized and inviting living space. Her journey from a retail display artist to a prominent design influencer illustrates the power of creative vision and hands-on effort in making a house a beloved home.

Architect David Bailey, Principal Architect at HASTINGS, designed his personal residence, known as Sycamore House, in Green Hills, Tennessee. The design process began in 2014 when Bailey acquired a specific lot, driven by his belief that location is paramount to successful architectural design. His vision for the Sycamore House was to create a modern, ground-up design that seamlessly integrated with its natural surroundings while incorporating sustainable practices and reflecting personal history. The house's design was significantly influenced by Bailey's childhood memories of growing up in East Tennessee, particularly his connection to sycamore trees and exploring creeks. This personal connection led to the home being named Sycamore House, and the distinctive mottled bark of the sycamore trees even inspired the selection of brick for the exterior, giving it a handcrafted texture. The region's limestone bluffs further shaped the architectural language, influencing the exploration of exterior materials, linearity, stacked volumes, and carved corners, aiming for the house to adapt to its site and surroundings with the sycamore trees as a central element. A key aspect of the Sycamore House is its emphasis on connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. Bailey meticulously considered the sun's path throughout the year, which guided the placement of windows, the design of shaded areas, and the orientation of rooms. This approach ensured abundant natural light and transparency while maintaining privacy, particularly by elevating the two-story portion of the home behind a dense tree line. The elevation also reoriented the front yard, enhancing privacy from the street. Sustainability was a core principle in the home's construction and design. Sycamore House features a white membrane roof designed to reflect solar heat, improving thermal energy performance. The property also boasts a comprehensive rainwater harvesting system, collecting 10,000 gallons annually for irrigation. Geothermal systems are utilized for all heating and cooling, drawing from nine 350-foot deep wells, and gas is completely avoided for water heating and cooking. Additionally, solar panels, optimally positioned on high and mid-level roofs for southern exposure, contribute to the home's energy efficiency, with plans for a future living green roof. Interior design choices also underscored sustainability. Claudia Lofton, Director of Interiors at HASTINGS, ensured the use of FSC-certified wood, LED dimmable lighting, and materials with low chemical content. The interior palette focused on warmth and consistency, utilizing only three primary wood types: teak for the exterior (chosen for its weathering properties and connection to the sycamore tones), white oak for all interior floors, and walnut for cabinetry, interior window frames, and walls. The soaring walnut veneer in the foyer, stretching to the second story, was meticulously choreographed to create visual movement and tie the spaces together. Furnishings in the Sycamore House blend modern aesthetics with a nod to the midcentury ranch that previously occupied the site. The selections balance sleek, modern structures with warmth, reflecting the homeowners' inviting personalities. Plush seating areas are complemented by midcentury-angled furniture, and visual interest is added through contrasts in textures, such as leather paired with soft rugs on oak floors, and a thoughtful interplay of light and dark finishes. The overall design narrative balances memories, present place, modernism, and warmth, creating a formidable yet light-filled and connected living space under the sycamore trees. #ArchitecturalDesign #SustainableHome #ModernArchitecture #GreenBuilding #InteriorDesign #TennesseeHomes #ResidentialArchitecture #EcoFriendlyDesign #LuxuryHomes

The Designer Show House, a biennial event sponsored by the Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, showcases diverse interior and exterior design inspirations across its 6,000 square feet of space and nearly an acre of outdoor areas. This event serves as a platform for regional designers to present their expertise and offers visitors a wealth of ideas for their own homes. One featured space is a sunken living room, designed by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks of Timeless Design in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. This room embodies a West Indies aesthetic, characterized by bold lines, soft sandy hues, and rich textures. Key elements include vintage stick bamboo chairs painted black, adorned with Kuba cloth and Ralph Lauren zebra-stripe pillows on a slipcovered camel-backed sofa. A mid-century hutch is repurposed as a cocktail bar, complemented by sculptural metal and glass console tables flanking the fireplace. Wood mirrors with faux tortoise shell lean against textured wallpaper, while modern sculptures and art blend with antique books and global treasures. FitzGerald-Wilks also designed the dining room, aiming for a dramatic effect with a backdrop of 200 wine bottles and a striking Dolcetti chandelier crafted from shells and crystals, evoking sea glass. An 8-foot-long reclaimed wine rack sits atop a buffet. The room's color palette consists of soft creams and tans, punctuated by emerald green accents in the chandelier and wine bottles. Windows are framed with woven ikat print panels. An airy sunroom, conceived by Alfred Wolf Home (a new venture from Design Center of Rehoboth or DCOR), was designed to create a light-filled, contemporary transition between the house and garden. This involved removing existing French doors and window grills, painting the room in various shades of white and French gray-green, and incorporating textural elements of white canvas, iron, and marble. The family room, also by DCOR, maintained the warmth of its original paneling and fireplace stone, setting the foundation for a soft khaki and cream palette. The room is furnished with herringbone, tweed, and leather fabrics, offset by tortoise shell wood finishes and local tidal scene artwork. Mary Stewart of M. Stewart Interiors in Bear designed the upstairs hobby room, named "Just Us," intended as a shared family space for various pastimes like painting, photography, reading, chess, and Lego building. The room features updated cherished family heirlooms and is painted simply white to highlight paintings by Nadia Zychal. Nile Johnson of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, designed the second-floor paneled library, drawing inspiration from Rehoboth's laid-back yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. This space offers an updated interpretation of a classic library, decorated in layers of sandy tans. Cyndi and Ron Oronzio and Cathie Sheetz of Dreamweaver Interiors of Rehoboth Beach decorated a bedroom and bath, inspired by vibrantly patterned fabrics. They utilized Robert Allen fabrics as wallpaper for an accent wall, building the room's design around this print. The team selected fabrics for their depth, crisp patterns, contrasting textures, and detailed embroidery, incorporating a bright coral pink accent color and rhinestone embellishments for a feminine touch. Brenda Carder of blcINTERIORS of Rehoboth Beach designed a small guest bedroom, combining natural cotton and linen fabrics with metal and reclaimed wood. Crown moldings add formality. To compensate for limited sunlight, the room was kept light and bright, with a deep navy blue accent wall and touches of bright yellow for warmth. The second floor features art by Libby Zando of Zando Designs and Art Affects in Milton, alongside works by award-winning regional artists. Boardwalk Builders of Rehoboth transformed a hallway into a gallery space by adding wainscot paneling, creating an updated cottage aesthetic that visually broadened the hallway. Mark A. Polo of The Urban Dweller in Boonton, New Jersey, designed the master suite, aiming for comfort with soft textural colors ranging from taupe to blue. The furniture is upholstered to enhance the room's softness, featuring taupe draperies of embroidered sheer linen and silk edged in leather and freshwater pearls. Blonde floors are softened by a long-fiber rug. Outdoors, Erin Walls and Justin Bartels of Bella Terra Landscaping in Lincoln repurposed existing flagstone patios and walkways, adding new stones to create a Celtic-inspired design. The layout divides the space into a grand area for social gatherings and secluded nooks for quiet retreats. Creative Concepts Furniture of Lewes and Ocean View furnished the patios as outdoor rooms with bright coastal colors, including a sectional, loveseat, dining area for six, and lounge chairs, inviting visitors to envision themselves in the setting. #DesignerShowHouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #RehobothBeach #DelawareDesign #LuxuryInteriors #OutdoorLiving #DesignInspiration