Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,621
Registered: ‎11-08-2014

NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

[ Edited ]

Graphic designer Christina Colletta moved to coastal Fair Haven, New Jersey, and renovated a sweet Cape type house for her young family.

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 2.42.11 PM.png

 

 

She has a classic style, accented with quite traditional, but also rather relaxed coastal elements--

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 2.44.48 PM.png

 

For example:  Like the Victorians, Christina's got a penchant for all things woven, rattan, faux bamboo.  Very New England sea captain.  It's that itch for far-flung materials and artifacts, sailing around the world, the Far East. The "traveled look".  But she's not the cliche coastal, with only all things blue--  rather, green's her favorite color-

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 11.18.04 PM.png

 

The house has two wood-burning fireplaces.  (Through the doorway is the home office, which used to be the dining room--)

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 8.09.42 PM.png

 

The living room also boasts a sunny bay window--

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 8.11.16 PM.png

 

The burl table has a distinctive, vintage looking lidded basket underneath;  the old printer's drawer on the wall corrals her treasured shell collection:

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 8.11.48 PM.png

 

She finds vintage postcards of New Jersey shore scenes, and frames them, for atmospheric little works of art:

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 11.09.31 PM.png

 

The kitchen will ultimately get beadboard backsplash, and vintage hardware, knobs, etc.

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 11.45.18 PM.png

 

Since the dining room had to convert to a home office for her and her husband, she used the long banquette in the kitchen to make a comfortable, charming dining area-- 

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 8.14.36 PM.png

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 11.10.02 PM.png

 

And it flows on into the small, inviting den:

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 9.58.09 PM.png

 

....  which is still a work in progress.  The fireplace has yet to be re-tiled with vintage, or at least, less modern tiles--

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 8.16.53 PM.png

 

The long console below is antique English pine.  True to her favored motif, the pair of dark lamps have a woven finish.  The branches, like much of her greenery, came from her yard.

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 10.15.04 PM.png

 

The dreamy blue, first floor master bedroom is anchored by another antique pine piece, her charming dressing table: 

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 8.17.55 PM.png

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 11.09.45 PM.png

 

The Serena and Lily dresser, is one of their few modern pieces.  She is thrilled with her huge, carved wood vintage shell bowl, a unique found piece, which in turn, holds some of her real shell collection.

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 8.18.20 PM.png

 

They made a wonderful play area upstairs for her daughter, and their expected baby.  His nursery is glimpsed through the door.

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 9.18.52 PM.png

 

Her daugter's bedroom enjoys the same quirky roofline, dormer windows and handy built-ins.  

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 9.20.59 PM.png

 

 

The nostalgic wallpaper is from the venerable British wallpaper house, Sanderson.  It's called "Woodland Chorus".  Her little girl loves to spot the different birds, and try to identify them...

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 9.18.02 PM.png

 

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 10.49.46 PM.png

 

True to the character-filled architecture, the little girl's bed is tucked away on the right, in its own little windowed niche.  The whole room reminds me of a fairy tale treehouse...

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 9.18.23 PM.png

 

It's very refreshing to me when someone as young as Christina is not captured by the trends of the current time.  One small example:  previous owners had lightened all the floors.  But Christina and husband brought them back to the rich intermediate brown they felt were more compatible with the spirit of the house.

 

Christina has a good eye, and a throwback style not dependent on the predictable guidance of HGTV, nor the latest "influencer".

 

Edited to add-- Forgot the back yard!  I like the slightly wild, secluded feeling--

 

Screenshot 2026-01-03 at 11.45.04 PM.png

 

 

 

 

 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 852
Registered: ‎03-28-2010

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

I just LOVE everything about this home. 

Super Contributor
Posts: 491
Registered: ‎07-05-2024

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

They did a great job with this beautiful home. I love it! Some standouts for me are the bay window in the living room, the wallpaper in the daughter's room (so sweet and charming!), and the lamps in the master bedroom. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,121
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

Toot Sweet!

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,956
Registered: ‎11-02-2014

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

Thank you @Oznell. I really like this house, it is charming and cozy. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 45,307
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

Just lovely.  Except for all the cr_p on the refrigerator.

~My philosophy: Dogs are God's most perfect creatures. Angels, here on Earth, who teach us to be better human beings.~
Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,549
Registered: ‎07-11-2010

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

Beautiful home.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 68,180
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

Like the antique pine sideboard and the modern dresser. Otherwise, none of these spaces, overall, does much for me.


In my pantry with my cupcakes...
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,400
Registered: ‎06-08-2011

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

I am a HUGE Homeworthy fan and just watched this yesterday.  If you like home design, check out the Homeworthy website.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,919
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: NEW JERSEY CAPE STYLE HOUSE

I like the exterior but I am not crazy about the decor on the interior.

I would redecorate. Nothing really appeals to me furniture wise.

It honestly looks like a home a much older woman owns to me.