What started as a decorative refreshment soon took a dramatic turn. Mona recalls, ‘Weeks after buying the house, in late winter, two water pipes burst and flooded the first floor. An unexpected twist turned a simple update into a full-scale renovation. While initially discouraging, the situation presented an opportunity. She explains that ‘this ‘tragic’ accident allowed us to rework areas of the house in a way that significantly improved overall flow and efficiency. This dining room was restored, and an entirely new kitchen and breakfast area installed, reshaping how the house is used.
Today, the Living room Anchored by a salvaged antique fireplace mantel sourced from Virginia, the relatively modern home gives a welcome sense of history. ‘Pieces like this help give it the age and patina it was lacking,’ says Mona. Around it, furnishings and layers of texture and pattern are considered, creating a space that seems to have been built over time rather than installed in a single stroke.
In the kitchen, a custom oval table with zinc top and reclaimed oak base sits at the heart of everyday living. Its tactile surface reflects the project’s overly robust-yet-refined material palette. Nearby, bright red stools and vintage accents insert a playful note, echoing the overarching spirit of this modern country home.
