Practical Wow

Design by Swell Design Co.
Photography by Raquel Langworthy
Text by Nayda Rondon

In real estate, location often outweighs looks. That held true for Cherielee Passalaqua and Matthew Jeffers. The couple—already celebrating 10+ years together—were looking forward to exploring new adventures on their shared journey. So in 2020, when they found a 2,500-square-foot, new-construction home in Atlantic Highlands, they were willing to overlook its cookie-cutter design. After all, what’s a little blah when your first home purchase has easy access to Manhattan while also being minutes from the beach, and great stores and restaurants? It was a no-brainer for the busy professionals with demanding work and frequent-flyer schedules. Goodbye, one-bedroom Hoboken rental. Hello, four-bedroom, 2.5-bath colonial with the promise of a more playful, peaceful lifestyle.

The house had zero personality but loads of potential. “We wanted it to have character and charm, to reflect us individually and as a couple,” Passalaqua says. Seeking inspiration online, she found Swell Design Co. of Atlantic Highlands and the work of its co-founders, Katy Champion-Uras and Elissa Palamara.

The designers kept things interesting— and on budget—by mixing price-friendly, simple items such as Wayfair sconces with visual splurges like the Anthropologie eucalyptus velvet sofa.

“What caught our eye was how in every picture they posted, they had found ways to bring their clients’ personalities into the rooms,” says Passalaqua. “After meeting with them, we knew they were fits for us.”

Starting in April 2021 and working in stages for the next three years, the design duo devoted their expertise to transforming the builder-grade rooms into singular spaces. Most of the rooms they tackled—living, family and dining rooms, powder bathroom, kitchen, primary bedroom and upstairs hallway—needed to be furnished, functional and fabulous.

“Cherielee wanted people to walk in and be wowed by the unexpected,” Palamara explains. “But everything had to be practical too. We really thought about how they’d use the spaces now and in the future.”

When guests come calling, music and gaiety are liberally served, thanks to the France & Son teak bar cabinet, which conceals a record player and cocktail fixings. Four Hands brown leather armchairs and a coffee table contribute to the relaxed, lounge-like ambiance.

Noting that the homeowners got married during the project, Champion-Uras elaborates: “They like entertaining and having things tidy, so we wanted to create conversation areas and places to store and showcase wedding gifts and entertainment must-haves. We also considered their nieces and nephews and dogs as we selected performance fabrics.”

To set the mood the homeowners desired—an elevated, modern, casual vibe—the designers incorporated different types of stone, wood, textures, metals and artwork. For unifying flow, they adorned the rooms’ walls and trims with Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White Eggshell. Bringing the fun, they injected color perks: rich green tiles in the powder bathroom, mood-brightening blue kitchen cabinetry—and eye-catching pieces like the living room’s eucalyptus velvet couch.

The homeowners’ beloved pit bull has his own built-in eating/ drinking zone. In the same Stargazer paint and Fireclay backsplash used elsewhere in the kitchen, it’s a vital part of the homey whole.

“Each room is different, but the home feels cohesive through repeated use of certain colors, textures and styles,” says designer Champion-Uras. “It has a fairly open floor plan, and we were able to accomplish graceful transitions while still making each space distinctive and reflective of both of them.” For instance, the living room is a haven where Passalaqua meditates and reads in the mornings, then in the evenings listens to Jeffers play the guitar and sing. To showcase meaningful objects yet keep to the clean aesthetic, the designers fashioned floating shelves in the same neutral wall color; this continued the seamless flow while instilling individuality through the curated display of personal items—books, records, music sheets, photos and travel mementos. Framed on the wall, the homeowners’ wedding song, hand-painted in calligraphy, pays lyrical tribute to their love for each other and for music.

In the dining room, the Restoration Hardware dining table is a happy marriage of wood and metal; the Arhaus chairs, with elegant curved backs and performance fabric, meet equally the goals of form and function. Assorted art—from Artfully Walls, Minted and Etsy—synergize the couple’s eclectic tastes.

A Visual Comfort chandelier sheds cozy light on the Four Hands table, customtopped with a Bianco Carrara quartz remnant for extra-durable service.

Little changes make a big difference in the kitchen. Basic-build fixtures and hardware are replaced by choices such as a sleek black faucet and satin brass knobs and pulls, all from Signature. Featuring vintage art and Etsy prints, custom white oak floating shelves elevate the look. Rhino white quartz countertops and a subtle Fireclay Tile Mini Star & Cross backsplash allow the cabinets, painted in Sherwin-Williams Stargazer, to shine. An “awkward nook” is maximized by adding a practical, much-used beverage center.

“Initially, the clients wanted a built-in banquette seating area and kitchen table,” Champion-Uras explains. “We used 3D renderings to help them visualize how a beverage bar would free up counter space and still allow for a cozy dining set in the middle of the room. We also worked with them to create a cabinet layout that stores what they wanted while looking beautiful and symmetrical.”

“The home’s overall vibe is fun, colorful and a bit moody, while still keeping comfort and functionality essential parts of the mix,” designer Palamara notes.

The owners’ verdict is an enthusiastic one. “Katy and Elissa took a house with minimal character and created a one-of-a-kind home,” Passalaqua says. “If you know us and come over, you see what we love throughout. We feel it’s us.”