DESIGN by COZETTE BROWN
PHOTOGRAPHY by WING WONG/MEMORIES TTL
TEXT by NAYDA RONDON
“Preserved in time” is how Mary and Dave Johnson wryly described the Ringwood property they purchased in 2008. Built in 1975, the 3,436-square-foot, center-hall colonial was spacious and in great condition, but still chillin’ to a ’70s vibe. All good, though. “My husband is a contractor, so we knew we’d make improvements eventually,” Mary explains.
Initially, their two then pre-teen sons and their busy lifestyle kept them too occupied to contemplate embarking on any major renovations. But by 2019 they were finally set to update, and they knew just who could help: Cozette Brown of Ringwood-based Cozette Brown Interior Design.
“We’ve known Cozette and her family for years, having lived on the same street prior to moving here,” Mary says. “A few years ago, my husband’s company was involved in another renovation in Ringwood that she’d designed, and he raved about it. When we were ready, we hired her for our first project.”
This initial assignment—repurposing three rooms off the garage and kitchen into a mud/laundry room with a dog shower and a folding/buffet island—began a design journey that would encompass the entire first floor (kitchen, dining, powder, living and family rooms along with entryway/stairway).
As part of this major renovation, which took place from January 2022 to November 2023, all existing flooring and moldings were replaced and part of a load-bearing wall was removed to create a larger opening into the dining room. Almost all existing furniture gave way to new pieces such as the roomy Rowe sectional in the family room and mid-century modern-style leather lounge chairs from Pottery Barn in the living room. (Only a living-room console relocated to the entryway and an Ethan Allen sofa reupholstered for the living room survived the clean-slate purge.)
Brown enlisted Dan Walker of Ringwood-based Walker Woodworking to collaborate on numerous custom and semi-custom features. He crafted and installed the kitchen hood and matching floating shelves, the shiplap wall, the fireplace side cabinet/window seats and the rustic reclaimed wood fireplace mantel in the family room, as well as the “masterpiece” architectural paneling, which Brown designed as showpiece elements for the foyer and dining room. She also tapped Steve Furman of Steve’s Custom Drapery Shoppe in Haskell for all of the window treatments, including the kitchen’s Roman shades, which Brown had fabricated in a fanciful Harewood pattern.
The nature-loving couple, who also own a Vermont retreat, wanted a simple farmhouse look with a touch of whimsy. Heeding Mary’s request for “light and bright,” Brown banished ill-placed windows, poor lighting and dark wood-paneled doors to fashion fresh spaces that welcomed in natural light and hydrangea-filled views, all without resorting to extensive construction.
“It was important for me to honor the home’s architectural style and balance updates to fit their current lifestyle,” Brown recalls. “My clients are busy, working professionals; their two grown sons visit often. The home had to feel comfortable, welcoming and casually elegant.”
Says Mary: “We love the calm and serene effect. Our house was always beaming with noise and activity when the boys were younger, and we’ve always had at least three pets. Cozette ensured that every surface was durable and pet-friendly. Special touches like lighting, tile, molding and architectural panels then elevated the design to its fullest.”
To ensure a clean, cohesive flow, Brown stayed clear of ornate or fussy elements and opted for natural white oak flooring throughout. Her paint choices contributed to the unifying, peaceful tone. The architectural panels, shiplap and all trim work are Benjamin Moore White Dove. The walls in the kitchen, entrance and family room are Dove Wing; the lightness of the palettes helped create a sense of connection, calm and charm.
In a win-win move, she set colors against the white backdrops. “I enjoy the colors and textures of the tiles, stone counters and window treatments on a daily basis,” Mary notes. “My husband calls it a serene oasis. I get my splashes of color and whimsy without overpowering his style and need for calm.”
In the kitchen, the white cabinets, wood-toned island and Carrara marble backsplash exemplify the pleasing aesthetic. The 11-foot-long island—featuring a cherry-wood base and a Blue Fantasy quartzite countertop—wows without overwhelming. Substantial enough to complement it, the Generation Lighting sconces exude a modern, farmhouse vibe; their clear-glass design provides unobstructed views. “The island’s beauty is captivating and calming,” says Mary. “The movement in the veins of the quartzite leads your eye to other spaces of the house.”
The thematic continuity prevails in the adjoining dining room. The farmhouse table, sourced from Frazzleberries Country Store in Warwick, N.Y., centers the room in casual elegance, while the black Zimmerman side chairs pair well with the Pottery Barn host chairs upholstered in blue performance fabric.
“I love the way the rooms work well together,” Mary says. “When I stand in one and look into another, they each have their own personality yet don’t compete.”
“It just feels good,” Brown remarks. “The home’s fresh style is stunning, but because it’s not formal, it’s a comfortable and inviting home. Just the way my clients wished.”
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