DESIGN by PAMELA COOPER, COOPER INTERIORS
PHOTOGRAPHY by VIC WAHBY
TEXT by NAYDA RONDON
Stylish equestrian with an urban flair—that’s the design vision Pamela Cooper of Watchung-based Cooper Interiors brought to life for the Allamuchy Township home of Alice and Pat Giannetta.
In February 2025, when the couple traded their NYC apartment for a 4,000-square-foot property on 1.04 acres—aptly named “Big Sky” for its soaring mountain vistas—they envisioned a design that would reflect both of their personalities. He leans toward edgy city modern; she, a competitive rider, favors classic equestrian elegance. Cooper’s challenge: bring the two sensibilities into perfect stride.
“When Alice first reached out, I didn’t have time in my schedule,” Cooper recalls. “But after she called and expressed how much she and her husband loved my work, I thought, ‘How could I not work with this woman?’”
“We wanted our home to reflect us authentically,” Alice says. “I’m an equestrian and work in the beauty pageant and fashion industries. My husband is an attorney, and we love to entertain. We wanted that ‘wow’ factor. Pam captured our personalities, designing with comfort, style and entertaining in mind.”
The expansive living room became the home’s show ring. Designed for socializing, it channels the vibe of a boutique hotel lobby, with multiple seating zones that invite conversation. Working around angled walls and wide openings, Cooper balanced textures—velvet, wood and brass—through vignettes such as a fireplace-fronting sofa; Four Hands Cairo armchairs, clothed in teal-green performance velvet, circling a CB2 burl wood coffee table; and a pair of Marlow wing chairs cozied around a brass table topped with a Batova ceramic table lamp with brushed-nickel details.
Above, a brass-and-leather chandelier nods to the couple’s equestrian leanings, while custom-stained beams emphasize the 24-foot ceiling. Yet the true focal point is the custom wood fireplace, accented with gleaming metal strips. “From the moment you walk in, it captures your attention,” Cooper says.
“Warm, modern and timeless, it anchors the space, giving the entire home a sense of elegance and intentional design.”
A custom bookcase, painted in contrasting tones of Benjamin Moore Steam and Mopboard Black (CW-680), adds depth and drama. At its heart, a portrait of one of the homeowners’ two horses commands attention.
In the dining room, Cooper gave free rein to her creative instincts. Keeping the couple’s elegant dining set and decorative accents, she amped the glam with wow wallpaper.
“I instantly fell in love with this sexy cheetah print for the dining room,” she says of York’s Leopard Rosettes. “The bold pattern brought the perfect mix of glamour and playfulness, a daring choice that quickly won everyone over.” With the combination of an Uttermost mirror, a Rugs Direct area rug and custom drapes, the room exudes sophistication with an untamed edge.
With Cooper setting the pace, the Giannettas’ home now unites two distinctive sensibilities—urban polish and equestrian elegance—in a design that feels as natural as it is refined.