Hidden Gems
Hidden Gems
Creating something unique around every corner (and behind a few walls as well)
How do you merge urban sophistication with suburban seclusion? You trust JAQUE.
- When a young hipster bought a secluded home in the suburbs, he knew he had to completely change its interior aesthetic to fit his urban (and urbane) tastes. Set on a two acres, the home was simple and plain but loaded with potential—the perfect blank slate for the right designer. So he called JAQUE. JAQUE literally created that blank slate by stripping the home down to the walls. In her vision, this renovation was about furniture and fixtures, but also about selecting and creating detailed materials for the entire home. Plus, she want to create a few fun surprises along the way.
- For the grand room, JAQUE chose a sophisticated silver-and-gray color scheme. Then she designed a fireplace wall that incorporates a TV concealed behind hidden doors. Securing the right hardware to move these large doors and still be flush when closed was a major challenge. But JAQUE, the design team and the woodworking company found a European hardware solution that fit well in the two-story space, while also adding a high level of contrast. Knowing that the client was acquiring a significant art collection during the renovation, JAQUE chose furnishings that would highlight the art by using a neutral gray palette with accents of deep purple. She used a textured gray chevron-patterned rug from Chandra Rugs to unite the seating and wood floors. And to create contrast, she employed a custom wall finish throughout the main living areas. In the adjacent dining area, JAQUE complemented the dining table’s clean edges with vintage chairs done in luxurious fabrics. The furniture, wall finishes and lighting create a gallery-like effect that makes the furnishings feel almost sculptural.
- JAQUE’s master suite design features a dressing room fitted with His and Her closets, as well as a dressing vanity with lots of natural light. She finished the suite’s black walls and custom ceiling with mica and glitter to exude a wondrous night sky effect, which is complemented by the dramatic aura of the master bath’s unique wall coverings. JAQUE’s lower-level design creates an entertainment area directly connected to the home’s outdoor pool, hot tub and kitchen. The wet bar features a dark walnut lining topped with three-inch-thick mitered granite, completed by a dichroic backsplash. But the star of the show is the custom theater. Completely hidden from the rest of the space, its biometric lock requires the owner’s touch for entry. As an added bonus, the paneling also serves as an acoustic wall for high-quality audio. Though the home’s overall palette is neutral, JAQUE brilliantly infused reflective qualities in the art, textiles and wall finishes. Her vision, imagination and extreme attention to detail make this home a case study in merging the best aesthetics of suburban outdoors and urban indoors.