My Houzz: Modern Update to a 1960s Ranch in New Jersey
Outdated home decor is replaced with modern European-inspired elements, all while keeping true to the family’s rich culture
After living in Europe for several years, Neenu and Vijay Bhargava purchased a 1960s ranch home in a quiet suburban area of New Jersey. They loved the floor plan and high-quality construction, but the house was in need of an uplift. Neenu designed the renovations and acted as project manager throughout the process.
The Bhargavas removed outdated paneled wood that had covered most of the walls, redid the floors, installed a linear gas fireplace and replaced all the windows with energy-efficient models. Neenu also redesigned the kitchen to match the European style they had learned to love, all while keeping true to their Indian culture. The family lived in the house throughout the full year of renovations, moving from area to area as the work progressed.
The Bhargavas removed outdated paneled wood that had covered most of the walls, redid the floors, installed a linear gas fireplace and replaced all the windows with energy-efficient models. Neenu also redesigned the kitchen to match the European style they had learned to love, all while keeping true to their Indian culture. The family lived in the house throughout the full year of renovations, moving from area to area as the work progressed.
AFTER: They had an instant connection with their kitchen designer, Yoram Zioni of Leicht New York. Neenu worked with him on their kitchen design.
They changed everything in the kitchen: cabinetry, counters, appliances, windows. “I think European kitchens can be more functional due to space limitations,” Neenu says about her new kitchen. “Everything from the way the doors open to the storage and how easy it is to clean.”
They changed everything in the kitchen: cabinetry, counters, appliances, windows. “I think European kitchens can be more functional due to space limitations,” Neenu says about her new kitchen. “Everything from the way the doors open to the storage and how easy it is to clean.”
The floors were all changed to porcelain. Neenu chose big tiles because she prefers less grout. The appliances are hidden in an appliance garage to help keep the kitchen tidy.
Floor tiles: Cercantile
Floor tiles: Cercantile
AFTER: “I love walnut,” Neenu says of the new cabinetry. “I like the natural look.” She used the material in many parts of the home.
Neenu is an avid cook and uses spices with every dish. Her pullout cabinet is organized by type of seasoning: Indian, Italian, Chinese, oils and vinaigrettes.
The laundry room is located behind the kitchen. They added a new French door to bring in light from the outdoors.
AFTER: Because the family enjoys entertaining, Neenu opened up the wall to create a better flow between the two rooms. She also had the large hood above the stovetop removed and replaced it with a flat hood. The power of each fan is 950 cubic feet per minute, and the flat hood gives the ceiling a clean look.
The island features a pop-out outlet center to plug in the family’s electronics. A skylight was added above it as well.
Neenu’s cookbook collection is stored in an open niche on the side of the island.
The island features a pop-out outlet center to plug in the family’s electronics. A skylight was added above it as well.
Neenu’s cookbook collection is stored in an open niche on the side of the island.
The built-in teak buffet that sits between the dining and living room is one of the few pieces that remains from the original home. The entrance to the family room can be seen behind the dining area.
The Bhargavas had initially planned to install a marble fireplace, but they chose a material with a similar look from Cercantile because of the easier construction method and budget constraints. “We use the fireplace quite a lot in the winter,” Neenu says.
The room is divided into two sitting areas. This section is furnished with Indian pieces. In contrast, the sofas at the far end of the space were brought over from the couple’s home in Switzerland.
Sofas: Roche Bobois
The room is divided into two sitting areas. This section is furnished with Indian pieces. In contrast, the sofas at the far end of the space were brought over from the couple’s home in Switzerland.
Sofas: Roche Bobois
Unfortunately, there was a big fire in the apartment building in which they lived abroad, and they lost almost everything they had there.
The cabinet pictured here had lost a door in the fire. The couple had it refurbished with a trifold door. The same artisan was able to salvage their damaged rugs.
The cabinet pictured here had lost a door in the fire. The couple had it refurbished with a trifold door. The same artisan was able to salvage their damaged rugs.
AFTER: The new tiles reflect the design choices made in the rest of the house. An art piece made from colored lentils sits on the floor of the entrance in front of a vanity. It was inspired by a friend of Bhargava’s.
The master wing is reached through the family living room. A doorway opens to a secondary room that had once been a library. Neenu had the wall-to-wall shelving removed to create a more casual TV room.
Another doorway straight ahead leads to a meditation shrine, which is customary in Indian culture. Neenu designed the unit with her sister; each step is a handleless drawer.
This entry room was created by moving a wall in the bathroom during the renovations. The doorway leads into the couple’s bedroom.
Another doorway straight ahead leads to a meditation shrine, which is customary in Indian culture. Neenu designed the unit with her sister; each step is a handleless drawer.
This entry room was created by moving a wall in the bathroom during the renovations. The doorway leads into the couple’s bedroom.
The Bhargavas bought these large walnut cabinets in Germany after the fire and incorporated them into the master bedroom. The flooring is hickory.
AFTER: Neenu replaced the outdated wraparound cabinetry in the master bathroom with a modern freestanding custom vanity. She also added a separate shower room plus two walk-in closets, one for her and one for Vijay. A skylight was also built in for additional sunlight.
Vanity: Cabinets by Alan
Vanity: Cabinets by Alan
Neenu keeps her jewelry on display for easy access. She picked up the earring holder at a craft fair in Kansas.
Neenu is pictured here in her new kitchen cooking Indian cuisine.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Neenu and Vijay Bhargava and their two sons
Location: New Jersey
Size: 5,500 square feet (510.9 square meters); five bedrooms, six bathrooms
Year built: 1960, remodeled in 2013
BEFORE: The old kitchen was in good condition but outdated. The family had had a European kitchen in Switzerland and wanted to design one with similar features.