A Design Duo’s Dreamy Mid-Century Modern Rental
A Design Duo’s Dreamy Mid-Century Modern Rental
Name: Roger and Chris Stout-Hazard and dog Buck
Location: Upper Montclair, New Jersey
Size: 2,700 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting
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Nestled on one acre of land and stretched across four stories, this house in New Jersey is a mid-century modern lover’s dream. It’s also currently the rental home of the multi-talented furniture design duo Roger+Chris. You may know Roger from his popular show “Sell This House.” Or you might recognize them both from the two past tours we’ve shared of their homes (in Sharon Springs, New York and Austin, Texas).
Like the furniture and accessories they design, their home is a unique mix of traditional shapes, modern lines, tactile materials and bold colors. And because this is just a temporary rental for the couple — they’re renovating an old house in Omaha, Nebraska — you’ll notice some familiar furniture from their past homes that have been used in new ways here.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: We knew we would be spending just a short time in this amazing house, so we had fun combining furniture and artwork we already had with some new pieces. We kept it eclectic and open, and selected colors and styles that built upon the amazing views and natural setting.
Inspiration: Because of the layout and late mid-century vibe, we tried to draw at least a little inspiration from Charles and Ray Eames’ lived-in, globe-trotting Case Study House.
Favorite Element: The views! Sunrise over Manhattan, sunset lighting the Empire State Building like gold, fireworks exploding below us, all the birds and wildlife… It’s simply one-of-a-kind.
Biggest Challenge: A house with walls of windows poses challenges. It isn’t just a question of privacy — the location gives it plenty of that, aside from the occasional FedEx guy who ventures all the way to the top of the mountain. But those windows make furniture placement very tricky.
What Friends Say: Our friends think we’re the villains from a 007 movie. They may be right.
Biggest Embarrassment: See above re: FedEx guy and house full of windows.
Proudest DIY: We wanted to beef up the attractive metal CB2 desk in the office, so we cut pre-finished trim boards and affixed them with industrial glue. It is a shamefully easy project but makes for a far more substantial piece of furniture.
Biggest Indulgence: Giant plants for the living room. New York City’s flower district may not be what it once was, but there are still amazing offerings and these plants bring the outdoors in.
Best Advice: Remix. Remix. Remix. Every time we move, or even change moods, we get inspired by swapping around pieces. Not loving a layout or how a room is looking? Before running out to buy something new, try wildly rearranging the layout. Due to the open floor plan, we tried a number of living room layouts and even had the dining room converted to a second living room area during the winter.
Dream Sources: A day in Hudson, NY when all the shops are magically open for business. But in reality, Craigslist in Northern New Jersey has a pretty great selection of deals. Our 1970s Formica coffee table was a steal.
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Further resources:
BATH
Doppio Vanity Light — Roger + Chris
BEDROOM
BKF Butterfly Chair — Circa50
DINING ROOM
Billy Bookcases — IKEA
Carla Channel-Tufted Chair — Roger + Chris
Panton Chair — DWR
Cork Dining Table — IKEA via Amazon
Globe Pendant — Paper Lantern Store
Atticus Cowhide Armchair — Roger + Chris
KITCHEN
Grand Central Sconce — Roger + Chris
LIVING ROOM
Ashley Stain-Proof Sofa — Roger + Chris
OFFICE
Go-Cart Desk — CB2, with added slats for character
Marian Library Lamp — Roger + Chris
Ripple Pendant — Roger + Chris
Eames Shell Chairs — Modernica
Bertoia Side Chair — DWR
Target Artwork — Roger + Chris
Thanks, Chris and Roger!
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