DesignNJ_OctNov2021_DigitalIssue

The kitchen was configured with wide pathways
for barrier-free access. The black borders around
the windows repeat the aesthetic of the home’s
exterior. Additional black elements—including
the countertops and cabinet hardware —create
a striking contrast against the simplicity of the
white cabinets.
darker the center would be. This was the exact opposite of our clients’ goal,
which was to maximize glass and natural light in the living spaces.
To address this issue, we shifted the garage forward to allow for a
narrower house. Ample amounts of glass along with a generous ceiling
height also help to maximize the play of natural light inside. And by
shifting the main stair so it is adjacent to the foyer rather than within it,
we allowed for a better view and light penetration from the front to the
back of the house.
DNJ: What accessibility accommodations did you make?
M. SCRO: We have a great deal of experience integrating universal-design
concepts while steering clear of its often-institutional calling cards. We
eschewed an exterior ramp and railings in favor of a single step at the rear
entry off the kitchen that can be navigated, with assistance, by a specialneeds
individual. The preference was to avoid an elevator and locate the
guest suite on the main living level, further integrating special-needs
guests into a natural flow between their private spaces and the family’s
adjacent social areas.
MARY FITZPATRICK SCRO: Widened hallways, archways and doorways,
along with numerous pocket or barn doors, accommodate barrier-free
navigation. In the guest suite, a roll-in shower with a linear trench
drain—and without the traditional curb to step over—enhances the
ease of entering and using the shower. In addition, we protected hightraffic
areas and wall corners on the first floor with shiplap and other
durable, low-maintenance materials to avoid more institutional acrylic
drywall corner protection.
DNJ: What elements of the interior design reinforce the Modern Farmhouse
style of this home?
IOANA CUROVIC: Shiplap siding on the interior accent walls provides relief
from the general field of materials, much like the wainscot panels on the
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