Design by Mazza Collective
Photography by Jacob Snavely
Text by Donna Rolando
There was no time for an extensive house redesign in Montclair to sit on the back burner. The ink had barely dried on a former Hoboken couple’s real estate contract in 2021 when they started interviewing designers for the modern infusion they felt their ’30s Tudor-style home sorely needed.
Kate Mazza, owner of Mazza Collective in North Jersey, stood out for embracing their redesign vision: Cherish the rich wood beams, classic arches throughout the first floor—and especially the kitchen’s marble checkered floor—for character, but throw in modern elements to make the style their own. Like Montclair, which the couple prized as a beautiful blend of suburbia with city culture and convenience, this four-bedroom home would be its best as a mixture of old and new.
“We knew we wanted something that would grow with us and at the same time be timeless,” homeowner Shayla says. Comfort, along with function, also had to be king, says husband William. “And we wanted an open bright concept,” he says. “We’re facing east, so we wanted to harness that with the colors and so forth.” But those colors would have to be neutral, Shayla adds. Also key for these proud parents of a 6-year-old son, a forever home would need natural fabrics with longevity.
“They’re very stylish, neat and friendly so they wanted their home to feel tasteful and welcoming to their family and friends,” says Mazza, the designer they felt got their plan to a T. The challenge she faced is one common to the redesign of historic homes: deciding what to keep and what to eliminate. She notes that elements like the black-and-white checkered marble floor in the kitchen and pantry, crystal door hardware and all the wood trim “really grounded everything new,” allowing her to introduce abstract art, tulip tables and other modern and geometric features for a transitional vibe. Though balance can be a trial, timing gave Mazza the luxury of a blank canvas.
For inspiration she turned to that square marble flooring in the kitchen, which also retained original inset cabinets reborn in different shades of gray. Mazza intensified the natural light with polished granite counters by Stone Plus and a backsplash of glossy ceramic tile by Wayne Tile, the latter in squares like the floor. A stainless-steel hood over the Viking stove is subdued so as not to steal the show from the high-contrast marble. Completing the look at the island are a singular milk-glass pendant by Ballard Designs and France & Son stools in a warm wood.
The motivational marble flooring continues in the butler’s pantry, also sharing the kitchen’s granite counters and tile backsplash. Yet Mazza also masters individuality for this drink/coffee bar zone with cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore’s Enchanted Forest and the natural influence of an oversized glass vase with branches. For “a little cheeky personality,” there’s a Fornasetti collectible too.
Shayla’s favorite spot is the dining room, which changed not a bit from Mazza’s original concept— the couple liked it so much. “She got us to think outside the box for things we ended up falling in love with,” Shayla says, describing the round lacquer-top table as “very communal.” Arches in the artwork complement the arches in architecture and the antiquebrass, double-shaded chandelier by Shades of Light harmonizes with brass knobs in the adjacent butler’s pantry. For further unity, Mazza used mid-century wooden chairs by France & Son as in the sunroom and repeats circular shapes in the lighting and custom wool rug by J&S by Stark, she explains.
The living room owes its transformation largely to the fireplace, once “just very old-fashioned, almost a non-focal point” with stone blocks and wood, Mazza says, but now a riveting marble surround with Revere Pewter-painted millwork.
From the fireplace to the rectangular white Italian weave sofas by RH, Mazza created an ode to geometric shapes and high contrasts like the White Dove walls against the deep trim. The gray-and-ivory rug over original wood “adds a lush texture like a beautiful sweater,” she says, while the pillows with elements like gold and alpaca wool lend personality as does the abstract art. As a “nice balance” to the fluffy RH Cloud sofas, there’s a stainless steel and glass coffee table, which finds as style companions tulip-base tables by Arteriors.
Peeking through the archway to the entry foyer one can admire how under-stairwell space came to life with a custom bench by Keith Gerardi that doubles as art, drawing its support from a sphere of gold resin that seems to melt onto the floor. All that, and a great place to change shoes.
Sometimes a designer must be a master of illusion, and that was the case with the sunroom, which Mazza describes as a “very cozy space.” Case in point, a floating window bench which draws texture from patterned pillows was custom made to fit over a potential eyesore, the existing HVAC. Playing with the power of perception once more, the contemporary high-low-pile area rug makes the space “feel longer and larger,” she says. Mid-century modern is embraced in the caning seat chairs and polished marble top tulip table by Noir.
One of the few rooms that was gutted to make way for something entirely new was the master bath. Now it’s easily William’s favorite room to relax in with the soaking tub, radiant heated floors and dual showerheads. Yet it did not come without some “risk-taking,” which for Will was the wallpaper. Mazza says the Phillip Jeffries vinyl lends a “hotel-like contemporary quality that I balanced with the charcoal herringbone floor by Wayne Tile and the vintage colorful rug.” With lavender and peach, this 100-yearold rug from 1stdibs reflects a traditional persona, like the milk-glass sconces, while the his-and-hers vanity with polished Carraramarble top has a crystal connection to the door hardware.
Mazza’s mission in the primary bedroom was a “luxurious and peaceful vibe,” which she accomplished by layering lots of neutral textures like the cushy wool carpet and cotton bedding with linen and faux leather headboard by Universal. “It was beautiful in its simplicity,” she says of the room where she contrasted ivory carpet by J&S and White Dove walls with dark gray lamps on wooden nightstands and silk pillows in gray and ink.
One by one, Mazza crossed off each item on these eager homebuyers’ extensive list, and they’re thrilled. “The job that Kate did was beyond our wildest expectations,” Will said. “I think it just really showed us we didn’t have to compromise. We could have a comfortable, luxurious home while still having respect for the 1930s Tudor style we have. It provides a warm atmosphere to raise our family.”