Wayne NJ home gets interior design scheme that whispers "wow"

Called to consult on the architectural renderings for a 15,000-square-foot home in Wayne's exclusive Packanack Lake community, interior designer Malena Cecilia Biroc, founder of Cecilia B interiors in Fair Lawn, never dreamed the project would eventually span three years.

"It turned out to be much more than simply decorating," recalls the designer, who assisted in selecting natural stone, choosing windows and even retooling the original blueprints to create living spaces that sparkle with abundant natural light. For Biroc, a highlight or the project was creating detailed drawings for the home's many built-in cabinets, bookcases and floor-to-ceiling wine cellar displays. "The builders made them all exactly to my design."

Located at the end of the entrance foyer, the great room is designed for entertaining. Although it features a soaring ceiling, Biroc created a space that is warm and inviting, with an emphasis on comfortable furnishings, neutral hues and fresh floral arrangements.

"It's important in a tall room to bring height not only with the furniture but also with the accessories," she says, noting an accent wall completed by a large antique glass mirror with metal detailing, flanked by oversized gold vases for florals. "These add life to a big space."

A mix of luxe fabrics, including velvet, chenille, brocade, mohair and silk, adorn the room's Century sofas and chairs, which surround Old Biscayne Designs' oversized Elan coffee table featuring a shimmering champagne and gold finish. Among Biroc's favorite features are the black doors and transoms. "Adding the transoms above the doors gives height and elongates the visual perception, which is important for a room with such height."

In addition to a home gym and movie theater, another homeowner must-have is a wine cellar. Biroc went a step beyond, designing "a newer version of an old world wine cellar experience" with rich woods and modern free-standing iron wire racks.

The experience begins in the brick-lined foyer, where a hand-knotted Oushak wool rug and plus wing chairs in muted hues create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for a wine tasting with friends. French doors lead to a beautifully furnished wine cellar featuring an Ironbolt Trestle pine table by Restoration Hardware, set beneath a cross-sectioned wine barrel ceiling accented by Uttermost's rustic Wolcott pendant.

For this room right off the kitchen, we wanted to create a cozy everyday family room," explains the designer, who played up the space's architectural details with a color palette comprising shades of gray and cream.

Biroc paired a tailored Ethan Allen sectional sofa in dark gray chenille and Philip Jeffries' dark gray grasscloth wallpaper with shades of lighter gray on the club chair and the painted and glazed built-ins and barrel ceiling. The marble fireplace surround features a modern herringbone pattern, subtly complementing chevron-patterned relaxed roman shades. Extra shimmer comes in the form of an antiqued light gray wood chandelier with dark gray iron arms and a glass-top cocktail table by Stanley Furniture.

"I wanted to do something daring in the entrance that would have a visual and unexpected impact, something that would absolutely become an instant topic of conversation" says Biroc of the custom-finished Century Furniture chest in an eye-popping shade of orange. The piece is a vibrant counterpoint to the foyer's more neutral furnishings and finishes, which include a cream-colored textured wool carpet by J&S Designer Flooring, and a shimmery champagne-colored pedestal table by Old Biscayne Designs set beneath a chandelier by Fine Arts Lamps.

Biroc accessorized the table with Global Views' exquisite porcelain peacock in aqua, and custom-designed florals.

For the study, the designer envisioned a masculine space highlighted by dark woods and faux crocodile skin wallpaper, tied together by a dramatic painted ceiling in Benjamin Moore's Black Beauty. Old Biscayne Designs' striking Adabella desk in walnut takes center stage, flanked by a pair of black velvet wing chairs by Bassett and a cozy blue velvet sofa with nail head trim by Ethan Allen.

Biroc lightened the room's overall mood with a gray and beige geometric print area rug and custom pinch-pleated silk drapery panels in a playful gray and cream pattern.

Shades of Gray:Saddle River home design combines sleek lines and Mediterranean style

Homes:One Park to debut model home on the Hudson

Trending in 2018:8 interior design ideas for the home