Jefferson Drive Tailor-made
Situated in idyllic Malvern, PA amidst rolling fields dotted with grazing horses and historic stone barns, our Jefferson Drive project began with as many Design Manifest projects do, with a builder-grade tract house and a family that was ready for an upgrade. Our clients had lived in their home for ten years and raised three children there. The space, light, and location were ideal and with the kids at an age where food spills and messes were no longer a concern, it was time to add a serious dose of sophistication, character and soul.
The first stage in renovating this home was a humble hall bath. Our clients were ready to do away with a clunky double vanity and add some style . A new furniture-style vanity, with sleek black fixtures and swing-arm brass sconces is now a striking place to check your teeth and wash your hands. A vintage Turkish rug on the floor plus an elegant etagere for towel and toiletry storage make this bath feel more like a room and less like a bathroom.
Our clients were delighted with this first taste of the Design Manifest experience and were soon ready to dive in with more rooms on the first floor as well as the master suite.
In this gracious two-story entry we removed the existing wainscot on the lower part of the walls, removed the existing paper, added full height paneling, and painted. We selected a truly unique statement chandelier that sets the tone for traditional-yet-modern as soon as you step into the house.
Nothing is so welcoming as simplicity, and this entry both inspires with its scale and detail and soothes with a calming white background and warm wood toned accents. We replaced the flooring throughout the first floor, going from builder-grade pre-finished planks to white oak that we finished and stained in place. We painted the banister a charcoal grey, which adds a subtle modern touch.
The custom millwork and built-ins carry from the entry into the den, which is just to the right of the entryway. We added a fireplace to this room, built from scratch, as well as adding sconces flanking the fireplace and above the sofa. Hidden in one of the base cabinets is a wine fridge to further enhance that relaxing adult lounge time.
The vibe in this room manages to be serene and cozy all at once. Airy accent furniture in rich finishes and soft, unstructured roman shades balance formality with a sense of ease and lightness. A stunning crystal drop chandelier refracts light and crowns the room.
We made the doorway into the den smaller to accommodate a cozy custom leather sectional- sometimes rooms need a little tweaking to be proportioned correctly for optimal furniture layout.
A faded vintage rug layered over a large natural textured rug continues the balance of airy and cozy. In addition to the custom leather sofa we had this hair-on-hide ottoman custom made and it adds such a delightful soft texture to the room. Notice the level of detail our upholsterer put into this ottoman with covered buttons made from the hair-on-hide.
When selecting the art for this space we went with an whimsical-yet-elegant abstract piece. We believe art does not have to "match" the room, and often it provides a counterbalance to the predominant mood and tone that the furnishings have established.
To the left of the entryway is this delightful powder room. We commissioned a custom campaign-style vanity and wrapped the room in Schumacher's "Queen of Spain" wallpaper to make a lovely little oasis. In rooms like this one with no natural light we often turn to wallpaper to create a sense of space and depth.
Also to the left of the entry is Mr. Jefferson Drive's office. We kept renovations to a minimum here, keeping the existing built-ins but upgrading them with paint, new glass shelves and walnut veneer applied to the backs. Add a statement modern light fixture, a custom desk with legs engineered to hide cords and cables, and a vintage rug and you have one stylish workspace. Bonus points if you spotted the grasscloth wallcovering we added to the ceiling. We love the warmth of grasscloth, and used it in many rooms- and ceilings- in this home.
Passing through the den you arrive in the formal dining room- another airy space with beautiful natural light that we fitted out with a blend of organic and glam, traditional and modern. We removed dated wallpaper in this room, added moldings below the existing chair rail and installed printed grasscloth above. Rather than one central fixture we chose to hang double crystal vintage -style chandeliers for the ultimate glam statement. The walnut live-edge table on polished stainless base was custom made and the chairs are vintage mid-century pieces that we had reupholstered. The mirrored credenza is a vintage piece that we scored from an antiques auction.
A formal dining room can be a space that doesn't get used very often, but if you make it pretty enough, you'll find a reason to spend time in there just to admire all the lovely views.
We love mixing vintage in as much as possible in our projects. It takes a client who understands that along with unique details and quality of craftsmanship there may be some character marks and imperfections. To us this character adds soul and history to a design and helps achieve one a look which is organically collected, never "decorated".
Now we travel upstairs to this wonderful sanctuary- the master bedroom! When we began, the space was filled with a lot of heavy, dark furniture that no longer fit our clients' style.
We had this canopy bed custom made locally, and layered our clients favorite colors- blue and green- into the textiles in this room. The duvet cover is made from a hand block-printed textile from Les Indiennes, and the drapes are Lauren Liess's "Magnolia" in a delightful blue and green colorway.
