A Gathering Spot

Soothing colors make homecoming a pleasure for a Woodcliff Lake couple—whether they’re welcoming family and friends or relaxing at home.

The soft, serene palette of the master bedroom is a departure from the vibrant common space of the home, which is decorated in green, russet and berry tones.

Photography by Peter Rymwid

For Bergen County residents Richard and Linda Giacopelli, home is more than a place—it’s also a state of mind. So when the couple hired Diane Durocher of Ramsey-based Diane Durocher Interiors to design their sprawling Woodcliff Lake residence, their priority was making it into a welcoming setting where they can entertain their five grown children and six grandchildren.

For the downstairs space, the couple requested a traditional aesthetic. Durocher crafted a design around an autumnal palette of green, russet and berry that’s carried throughout the home. The warm colors are coupled with the warmth of familiarity—the house is accented with art, furniture and accessories that the couple has accumulated over many years.

An opulent design and a table with room for 10 welcomes guests to share a meal in this traditional dining room. “This is a very custom room, from the finishes to the size of the table,” says interior designer Diane Durocher.

“It’s all about details when you are designing, especially with a traditional home,” Durocher says. In the dining room, a custom table that seats 10 allows the large family to gather for a meal during holidays and gettogethers. Faux painting on the dining room walls and the domed ceiling, from which crystal chandeliers hang, offers subtle texture and interest. “We decided to highlight the dome because there was little available wall space, and I love a decorative ceiling element,” explains Durocher. The grandness of this room is mirrored in the formal powder room, which features a Crema Marfil and silver damask porcelain tile accent wall.

But the boldness of the common space ends at the master bedroom, where serenity reigns. “The Giacopellis wanted a bright, plush bedroom,” Durocher says. “Soft hues of aqua and cream as well as the damask design of the wall covering accentuate the architectural details of the millwork and serve as a perfect backdrop for the furniture.” The result is a perfect place to lay one’s head after an exhilarating evening of making memories with family and friends.

The formal powder room features an accent tile wall with a silver damask design. The crystal vessel sink and wall-mounted faucet finish the look.