Interior designer Yana Schafer, co-founder of design studio Malyev Schafer, opens the doors of her family’s East Coast home to us.
When Yana Schafer, who co-founded US- and UK-based interior design studio Malyev Schafer with Olga Malyev, and her sports media executive husband first saw the listing of this house, they were not really ready to buy a property.
They immediately fell in love with the West Coast Mid-Century interior design style of the home, however, and especially adored the central glass atrium inspired by the work of Richard Neutra, which has become the family’s favorite feature.
Glass Atrium with a Tree Growing Inside
“There is a moment of surprise that comes with entering the house and seeing the tree that grows inside it,” says Yana. Knowing that it was a rare find on the East Coast, the couple decided to take the leap and move to the suburbs of New York City with their 11, seven and three year old children.
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House Originally Built in 1974
Located in the neighborhood of Short Hills, New Jersey, known for its sprawling parks and green, wooded setting, the 557 sqm Mid-Century style house was originally built in 1974 by locally renowned architect Lawrence Stern.
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1970s Vintage Architecture Made Modern
Yana wanted to honour the vintage spirit of the house while introducing contemporary elements. This approach guided every step of the transformation.
Paying tribute to the ’70s architecture and decor, the family home was given new life. The previously dark and severe main spaces are now filled with light.
Contrasting with the black exterior, the interiors feature high ceilings, a newly gray-tinted and oiled oak floor and bright walls for a tranquil effect.
The original dark wood ceilings and beams, custom-built sectional of the sunken fireplace sitting room upholstered in a retro geometric pattern, and the stone feature wall were preserved during the renovation.
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Soft Colour Palette
A soft color palette prevails, such as in the sandy hues that adorn the fireplace sitting room.
In the main living room, the use of dusty rose was inspired by the onyx coffee table — a piece with great history acquired from the estate of Miriam Colón, a Puerto Rican actress who played the mother of Al Pacino’s main character in the movie Scarface.
Wood elements in the space references the lush greenery outside and add a cosy feel.
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This tone was the reference for the other decorative elements, including the hand-knotted rug, vintage upholstered window bench and mixed media painting by Tom Bostelle — creating visual coherence throughout.
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Kitchen
While the kitchen (with cream painted walls and a quartzite backsplash) and the primary bedroom feature green- gray hues, the dining room with rich brown and amber jewel elements is an ode to the old Mid-Century palette.
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Original Dining Room
“The day we came to look at the house for the first time, I discovered that the original dining room paired a Paul Evans dining table with a set of ’70s chairs from Directional,” Yana remembers, “These were the same exact walnut upholstered dining chairs that I purchased a year earlier for our own dining area, only in a different fabric. It made this room particularly sentimental, so in decorating, it was envisioned as a time capsule of the home’s original spirit.”
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Child’s Bedroom
Inspired by the blue wallpaper that was preserved by the previous owners (who had lived in the house for 45 years), the kid’s room design also comprises an animal print rug, resulting in a playful safari decor.
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Mid-Century Furniture Collection
Collected over the years by Yana, the Mid-Century and vintage furniture, such as the driftwood piece in the living room found on a Jersey Shore beach, add even more charm to the home.
A rag chair and ottoman by Bernt Petersen, a Milo Baughman burl wood dining chair, a Murano glass and brass chandelier, and an antique wood and wrought iron console are some of the treasures that can be found in the different areas while dialoguing with contemporary artworks by John Axton, Sasha Meret, Suzanne Auber and Richard Royce, to name only a few.
Mixing and matching a variety of objects with the perfect dose of balance and the unexpected, this historically rich house is living a renaissance.