My Houzz: All Right With All-White in a Modern New Jersey Home
A bold monochrome palette with black accents, modern art and treehouse-like views of NYC are stars in this couple’s dramatic home
“This house was purely a purchase of passion,” Sandy Vizzone says of the modern home she and husband John, creative director at Cifonelli, purchased and then completely rebuilt in Montclair, New Jersey. Although the home’s almost all-white interior might seem sterile to some, the Vizzones view the interior as an ever-changing canvas, depending on the season. “This house shows us things in nature, like the sunrise and change of light. Because the house is all-white, the colors of nature, trees, sun and light will shine into the house, and the white walls reflect the colors,” Sandy says. “One day the house will be glowing with red; the next, pink. It’s a new show every day.”
The Vizzones love their kitchen for the bright, open feel and layout and the great views of Manhattan.
“In the morning we sit in the kitchen with our cups of coffee and watch the sun rise,” Sandy says.
“In the morning we sit in the kitchen with our cups of coffee and watch the sun rise,” Sandy says.
“The kitchen is the only room we altered architecturally from the original design of the house,” Sandy says. “The previous owners built the house and had it separated into two rooms. The kitchen was a galley that was behind a wall that blocked the view.” The couple took down the wall and made it one spacious and bright room.
They added all-new Gaggenau appliances from Karl’s Appliance in Fairfield, New Jersey; an Elica range hood; and glossy Mobili De Angelis kitchen cabinets.
They added all-new Gaggenau appliances from Karl’s Appliance in Fairfield, New Jersey; an Elica range hood; and glossy Mobili De Angelis kitchen cabinets.
The open seating area off the kitchen is another favorite feature. “We love being able to see all the rooms without restrictions of walls,” Sandy says. “It’s a great house to entertain in, especially the kitchen. There’s nothing worse than you being in the kitchen preparing dinner when your guests are in the other room having a good time.”
The balcony off the kitchen and its adjacent sitting area are easily accessible when the couple is entertaining or having quiet time at home.
The bathroom off the kitchen continues the black and white theme found throughout the house. A photograph by Brian Chan, which is reflected in the mirror behind an Antonio Lupi sink, makes a dramatic statement.
The Manhattan skyline can be seen in the distance from the back windows and deck.
“This was the main reason we bought the house,” Sandy says. “The balcony makes you feel like you are in a treehouse. We love being so high up.”
“This was the main reason we bought the house,” Sandy says. “The balcony makes you feel like you are in a treehouse. We love being so high up.”
The Vizzones didn’t change anything in the large dining and living area upon moving in. The open space and white backdrop allow the view outside the windows to take center stage. “It’s an all-year view. However, it’s only a full view of Manhattan in the winter and fall months,” Sandy says. “Our direct view is the Empire State Building. To the far right we can see the Freedom Towers, but only in fall and winter.”
The custom dining table by Mobili De Angelis is teamed with Roche Bobois chairs and a Bocci chandelier. The artwork — Marilyn Crying, by Russell Young — adds a contrasting jolt of color.
The open floor plan of the dining and living area is perfect for entertaining large groups. “The real luxuries in life are air, space and light. This house has all of these elements,” Sandy says. “The open floor plan allows the house to be bright, spacious and airy.”
“The wall behind the dining table is comprised of 32-by-32-inch panels made of a lightweight material called cast rock,” Sandy says. “To put them up is rather time-consuming, because after the panels are up on the wall, they need to be plastered and sanded to hide the seams, then painted.” They’re from Modular Arts, and the pattern is called Swim.
Art: James Nares; telescope: Orion
Art: James Nares; telescope: Orion
The spiral staircase connecting the first and second floor is original to the home and adds a spark of drama.
“Our favorite part of the staircase is when you get to the top and see all of the windows and view,” Sandy says. “No one ever expects this. It’s great especially at night. The twinkling lights of the city are catching.”
White With Lettering art: Jose Camacho; black and white geometric art: Ellsworth Kelly
“Our favorite part of the staircase is when you get to the top and see all of the windows and view,” Sandy says. “No one ever expects this. It’s great especially at night. The twinkling lights of the city are catching.”
White With Lettering art: Jose Camacho; black and white geometric art: Ellsworth Kelly
The luxurious tub is a favorite feature of the downstairs bathroom. After gutting the space, the couple changed the placement of the fixtures and the room’s finishes, and replaced windows and studs that were rotted from previous water damage.
Light fixture: Verner Panton, Design Within Reach
Light fixture: Verner Panton, Design Within Reach
One of the bedrooms has an all-white palette and sheer drapery on the walls for more of an airy feel. “I love that this room is all-white,” Sandy says. ”It feels as though you are sleeping on a cloud.”
Light fixtures: Philippe Starck, Design Within Reach
Light fixtures: Philippe Starck, Design Within Reach
The entryway is home to a large black and white painting with lettering by Jose Camacho. “His studio is in Montclair, New Jersey, and we love his work so much, we have three of his pieces,” Sandy says.
At the main entrance and stairway are a photograph of a banana by Brian Chan and chairs by Flexform.
All of the furniture in this space is from the Italian company Poliform. For a bright pop of color, the red Murano glass chandelier is the perfect touch.
The lithograph of the woman is Gretchen, by Robert Longo.
The lithograph of the woman is Gretchen, by Robert Longo.
In the master bedroom, the Vizzones redecorated the far wall with large black and white stripes to give the room a wow factor. They also love how bright the room is and the large walk-in closet for storage.
Fixtures and furniture: Design Within Reach
Fixtures and furniture: Design Within Reach
A large seating room offers a spacious yet intimate place for their whole family to gather in.
Sofa, table and pillows: Flexform; elements on table: Jonathan Adler; light: Design Within Reach; artwork: Adam Faust; Arco floor lamp: designed by Achille & Pierre Giacomo Castiglioni and made by Flos, Design Within Reach
Sofa, table and pillows: Flexform; elements on table: Jonathan Adler; light: Design Within Reach; artwork: Adam Faust; Arco floor lamp: designed by Achille & Pierre Giacomo Castiglioni and made by Flos, Design Within Reach
In the stairway leading to the basement, the Vizzones display art along a gallery wall, including pieces created by their children, Lea and Johnny.
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See more photos of this home
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: John and Sandy Vizzone
Location: Montclair, New Jersey
Size: 4,500 square feet (418 square meters); two bedrooms, three bathrooms
When the Vizzones moved in, they had to rebuild the home’s structure due to extensive water damage. “Every wall, stud and window had to be replaced,” Sandy says. “The house had to be relined and stuccoed. The roof was also replaced as well as reinforcing floors and ceilings.” The water had seeped in everywhere and had damaged every piece of wood in the house, including on the home’s two balconies, where the couple ended up replacing the wood. “We found a contractor who worked with commercial buildings that helped us with all the construction,” she says.