A Forever Home Reimagined in Atlantic Highlands, NJ

Swell Design Co.
Jul 16
3 min read

Updated: Jul 17

We are so, so excited to finally share the full reveal of a project that is incredibly special to us: the Lasting Roots Remodel.

This project was a dream for so many reasons, but mostly because of our amazing clients. They have lived in this Atlantic Highlands home for years, raised their kids here, and even grew up just down the street. Their connection to this town and this house runs deep, so when it came to making a change, moving wasn't on the table. Their goal was to transform their beloved, memory-filled house into a true "forever home" that would work for them now and for decades to come. It's a heartfelt transformation that preserves the spirit of the original home while supporting the next chapter with comfort, beauty, and thoughtful functionality.

We were so honored they trusted us to help them write its next chapter. Let's dive into how we did it!

The Challenge: A Layout That Wasn't Working

While the home was full of charm, the layout just wasn't cutting it for modern life. The entry was cramped, the kitchen felt totally cut off from the rest of the house (a real problem for a family that loves to entertain!), and the main staircase was smack dab in the middle of the floor plan, eating up valuable space. The whole flow felt a bit disjointed, and ready for a more modern layout.

Before the addition and staircase change, shows closed off cramped rooms

The Game-Changer Collaboration

A successful renovation is always a team effort, and this project is the perfect example! Our clients first collaborated with a talented architect who brilliantly reimagined the home's footprint. The new architectural plans included a rear addition and a relocated staircase that would completely open up the main floor.

With that fantastic blueprint in place, we were thrilled to be brought on board to focus on how the home would look, feel, and function for daily life. Our role was to refine the kitchen and bathroom layouts and then dive into what we love most: selecting all the materials, finishes, fixtures, and colors that would transform this house into their warm and personal home.

Dining area with a wooden table, chairs, and a bowl of oranges. White staircase and cabinets in the background, neutral tones throughout.

The Heart of the Home: A Kitchen with Character

The new, open floor plan allowed the kitchen to finally get the space and layout it deserved! This was where we really got to work. Our clients wanted a kitchen that felt fresh but still retained the home's warm character.

One of our favorite parts? We helped them decide to keep and refresh the existing cabinets with a new coat of paint, and then we designed a brand new custom island and coffee bar in the exact same Shaker style. We then selected all the finishes—from the countertops to the hardware—to create a perfect blend of old and new. The result is a functional, beautiful kitchen that feels completely seamless and ready for everything from quiet morning coffee to hosting the entire family.

Modern kitchen with a large island, three wooden stools, white cabinets, pendant lights, and a vase of greenery. Bright and minimalist setting.

Bright kitchen with light green cabinets, wooden blinds, black countertop. Items include a vase, fruit, and kitchenware on the counter. Cozy mood.

Welcoming Entry & Living Room

We opened up the small, once-cramped entry and living space to feel bright, calm, and collected. Subtle architectural details and intentional furnishings set the tone for the rest of the home — inviting, layered, and full of heart.

Cozy living room with a brick fireplace, TV above it, pottery, candles, a rocking chair with a blanket, and a couch; warm and inviting.

Cozy living room with a white sofa, patterned cushions, and a wooden table. Plants and books add warmth; open kitchen in the background.

Designing for Today & Tomorrow

A huge part of this project was thinking about long-term flexibility. The new architectural plan included a handsome den on the main floor, designed to be a quiet office that could also easily become a main-floor bedroom down the road.

Working from that plan, we helped design the adjacent first-floor bathroom. We focused on a layout and material selection that made it fully ADA-compliant. It’s stylish and clean, with timeless finishes we selected to be beautiful, but it's also designed with total accessibility in mind. This kind of thoughtful, forward-thinking design is what turns a regular house into a forever home.

ADA compliant bathroom with white tiled walls and a shower area. A gray toilet is in the foreground. A small plant sits on a shower ledge. Bright lighting.

The Little Moments That Make a House a Forever Home

You know we love the details! Upstairs, the new landing created the perfect spot for a reading nook. We just knew we had to turn it into a cozy, built-in window bench. It's now a light-filled little nook to curl up with a book, and honestly, it might be one of our favorite moments in the whole house. The upstairs bathroom also got a full gut renovation, and we guided the selection of every finish to transform it into a calm, serene space to start and end the day.

Cozy window seat with brown pillows, beige cushion, and a book on it. Bamboo blinds cover the window above. A patterned rug lies on the floor.

Modern bathroom with green tiled shower, wooden stool, white toilet, and wooden vanity. Bright light, small plant, and toiletries visible.

This project was such a beautiful reminder of what design is all about: honoring a family's story while creating a backdrop for all the memories still to come. The result is a home that’s open, bright, and ready for anything.

We hope you love it as much as we do! You can check out all the photos from this incredible transformation in our portfolio.