Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Rescued New Jersey Victorian
Five years and one major renovation later, a historical home finds its place in the present
Don Tripp and Denise Jarvis lived down the street from this 1853 Victorian in historic Lambertville, New Jersey, when they heard it was going to be put up for sale and was in danger of becoming a parking lot. They jumped on buying the house. At first they were unsure how to update it, but two years later they replaced the rear of the home with a two-story, 1,200-square-foot modular addition. A five-year labor of love transformed the home into a contemporary space that pays tribute to many of its original details.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Don Tripp and Denise Jarvis
Where: Lambertville, New Jersey
Size: 2,600 square feet with 6 rooms, 2.5 baths
Architect: E.I. Mills and Associates
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Don Tripp and Denise Jarvis
Where: Lambertville, New Jersey
Size: 2,600 square feet with 6 rooms, 2.5 baths
Architect: E.I. Mills and Associates
AK: Tell me about the renovation process and what you did to make the home your own.
Don Tripp: The house was in need of major renovations, and we added antique barn beams in the living room area and a matching fireplace mantel. The cold rolled-steel fireplace is the focal point. The bedroom has architectural detail in the ceiling. A steel banister and balustrades replaced the wooden one. The peekaboo glass on both sides of the kitchen cabinets between the dining room and kitchen adds light and a modern look.
Don Tripp: The house was in need of major renovations, and we added antique barn beams in the living room area and a matching fireplace mantel. The cold rolled-steel fireplace is the focal point. The bedroom has architectural detail in the ceiling. A steel banister and balustrades replaced the wooden one. The peekaboo glass on both sides of the kitchen cabinets between the dining room and kitchen adds light and a modern look.
AK: Where do you feel most at home in your house now?
DT: We feel most at home in our living area, especially on a chilly night with a warm fire going and chestnuts roasting on the hearth. The lizard artwork is by a local craftsman from when we lived in northern Arizona.
Rolled-steel-facade fireplace: steel from Trenton, New Jersey; blue stone from a local quarry
DT: We feel most at home in our living area, especially on a chilly night with a warm fire going and chestnuts roasting on the hearth. The lizard artwork is by a local craftsman from when we lived in northern Arizona.
Rolled-steel-facade fireplace: steel from Trenton, New Jersey; blue stone from a local quarry
AK: Tell me about your kitchen remodel.
DT: We wanted a functional kitchen with some flair, interest and lots of natural light. High on our want list were quiet appliances, specifically a powerful yet quiet exhaust fan and a superquiet dishwasher. The kitchen and main living area are adjacent, and it was important that we not hear the dishwasher or the fan when in use. The oversize kitchen island provides more than ample room for food preparation and also serves as a communal area for serving appetizers and drinks when entertaining. We love the kitchen cabinets with clear glass on both sides that give a view into the dining room. We also enjoy the look and functionality of the stainless steel appliance garage.
Kitchen design: Susanne Kaslavage Olsen from Hunterdon Kitchens
DT: We wanted a functional kitchen with some flair, interest and lots of natural light. High on our want list were quiet appliances, specifically a powerful yet quiet exhaust fan and a superquiet dishwasher. The kitchen and main living area are adjacent, and it was important that we not hear the dishwasher or the fan when in use. The oversize kitchen island provides more than ample room for food preparation and also serves as a communal area for serving appetizers and drinks when entertaining. We love the kitchen cabinets with clear glass on both sides that give a view into the dining room. We also enjoy the look and functionality of the stainless steel appliance garage.
Kitchen design: Susanne Kaslavage Olsen from Hunterdon Kitchens
AK: What’s your best advice for a first-time remodeler?
DT: Go slow and review plans and make changes without being too hasty to move forward. It’s easy to move a wall or change a window or door location when it’s on paper. Once it’s built, you’re in for the long haul.
DT: Go slow and review plans and make changes without being too hasty to move forward. It’s easy to move a wall or change a window or door location when it’s on paper. Once it’s built, you’re in for the long haul.
Original dining room space.
DT: Downstairs we went with a fish theme inspired by Lambertville's annual Shad Festival. In the dining room, two lithographs of fish hang on the walls, and in the kitchen, hand-carved wooden fish sculptures purchased on Block Island hang over the windows. And Denise assembled a "Fish on Wheels" art piece.
DT: Downstairs we went with a fish theme inspired by Lambertville's annual Shad Festival. In the dining room, two lithographs of fish hang on the walls, and in the kitchen, hand-carved wooden fish sculptures purchased on Block Island hang over the windows. And Denise assembled a "Fish on Wheels" art piece.
The original living room from the 1800s is now used as an office and a library.
The flooring is a yellow pine wood original to the home. The steel railing and banister were created by local craftsman Bret Cavanaugh.
Original pumpkin pine wood flooring runs throughout the guest bedroom.
Bedroom furniture: imported from Canada, purchased at White Linen Store in Princeton, New Jersey
Bedroom furniture: imported from Canada, purchased at White Linen Store in Princeton, New Jersey
AK: Who helped you the most? A designer, architect, contractor, friend, or…?
DT: We had worked with our architect on a previous house, so he knew our preferences for design and style. Photos from magazines were clipped and used for ideas too.
DT: We had worked with our architect on a previous house, so he knew our preferences for design and style. Photos from magazines were clipped and used for ideas too.
AK: How did you pick your color palette?
DT: A close friend was very helpful with our color selection process, which was very time consuming. Some of the ceilings were painted darker colors than the walls to give the house a cozy feel. The master bathroom with plain beige tile was the most difficult; it was painted three times. That didn't go over well.
DT: A close friend was very helpful with our color selection process, which was very time consuming. Some of the ceilings were painted darker colors than the walls to give the house a cozy feel. The master bathroom with plain beige tile was the most difficult; it was painted three times. That didn't go over well.
A fireplace in the master bedroom provides an alternate heating source for the space.
AK: Tell me about your collected artwork.
DT: Most of the artwork has some relationship to our past travels and fun places we've visited. Upstairs the photographs in the master bedroom are by renowned photographer G. Steve Jordan, who captures special moments in the Shawangunk Mountains, an area we love. There is a simple nude pencil sketch purchased many years ago by Denise in New York City with the name Picasso, although we cannot prove its validity. The two abstract watercolors were purchased from a local artist while visiting Olympia, Washington.
DT: Most of the artwork has some relationship to our past travels and fun places we've visited. Upstairs the photographs in the master bedroom are by renowned photographer G. Steve Jordan, who captures special moments in the Shawangunk Mountains, an area we love. There is a simple nude pencil sketch purchased many years ago by Denise in New York City with the name Picasso, although we cannot prove its validity. The two abstract watercolors were purchased from a local artist while visiting Olympia, Washington.
The master bathroom.
AK: What do you love most about your city?
DT: We love Lambertville for its urban look and feel, even though it’s a small town. The community is filled with open-minded, friendly neighbors. During the week it’s quiet and peaceful, and on weekends we enjoy the tourists and the buzz in the restaurants and shops.
DT: We love Lambertville for its urban look and feel, even though it’s a small town. The community is filled with open-minded, friendly neighbors. During the week it’s quiet and peaceful, and on weekends we enjoy the tourists and the buzz in the restaurants and shops.
AK: What was your biggest design dilemma? What do you want to do with your house next?
DT: Working in such a tight urban space proved challenging, as the street was fully built out with most houses built up to the property lines. We are enjoying our home immensely and have plans to just make a few minor interior decorating enhancements and to continue refining the landscaping.
More:
Houzz Tour: Contemporary Colonial in New Jersey
My Houzz: Charming, Beautiful Renovated Victorian
Houzz Tour: Victorian Style, Built for Fun
DT: Working in such a tight urban space proved challenging, as the street was fully built out with most houses built up to the property lines. We are enjoying our home immensely and have plans to just make a few minor interior decorating enhancements and to continue refining the landscaping.
More:
Houzz Tour: Contemporary Colonial in New Jersey
My Houzz: Charming, Beautiful Renovated Victorian
Houzz Tour: Victorian Style, Built for Fun
DT: The design was inspired with the help of our architect, E.I. Mills and Associates. We were interested in a more contemporary look and feel for the interior. The focal point in the living area is the fireplace with a rolled-steel facade, inspired by a similar work at a ski lodge in Big Sky, Montana.