“We call it ‘The Gentleman’s Farmhouse,’” shares designer Michelle Gage of the circa-1787 New Jersey abode that she restored top-to-bottom alongside general contractor Chadwick Hunter. To bridge the residence’s early American roots with the eclectic mix she envisioned within, Gage looked to black-and-white tiled floors to compose a timeless base.
In the kitchen, a checkered blend of honed Bianco Carrara and Nero Marquina marbles were chosen for their luxurious look and feel. “This is a very personal, sacred space for him, so we sourced the best of everything—including the floors,” says the designer. “We wanted each detail to feel very intentional and considered. Plus, there needed to be a graphic element to cut the sweetness of the purple cabinetry.” The surprising hue—a custom Sherwin-Williams blend she describes as “hazy lilac”—was chosen to complement the diffuse sunlight the space receives throughout the day, and to feel era-appropriate yet bold and dramatic.
Shockwaves of color similarly distinguish the client’s primary bathroom, where a classic penny mosaic floor with a black subway tile border juxtaposes walls clad in jade tiles arranged in a climbing herringbone pattern that feel a touch unhinged—in the best way possible. Masculine details, including a cast iron soaking tub, mahogany wood vanities and a custom snake-shaped shower door pull lend further intrigue to the period home. “It’s tailored and gentlemanly, yet quirky and fun,” surmises Gage.
All in, the design is as vibrant as the merriment it caters to on a regular basis. Shares Gage, “The client manages a band and has many musician friends. He is often cooking up a storm for these jam sessions, or as bands pass through.”
