In a perfect world, Joan Enger would cover every single wall in a home with a blend of wood paneling, textured finishes, and wallpaper.

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“It just adds another dimension to a space—it’s prettier and more dynamic than plain Sheetrock,” explains the principal of J. Patryce Design. Luckily, the owners of this modern Tudor in Tenafly, New Jersey, were returning clients who allowed the Expert to indulge a little. Picking white oak to inject character into the family room; a classic grasscloth for depth in the study; and an exquisite, silk-backed jute to add elegance to the dining room, “it was effective in creating a visual break in this mostly open-plan home,” she says.

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Joan’s process of warming up and optimizing the new build’s architectural features is what transformed this airy property from ‘nice’ into a remarkable family home. As Joan muses: “The problem is that developers do things in a way that is appealing to the masses—and we're very specific. We get in a space and really personalize it.” Case in point: the niche in the lofty, double-height entry was previously covered in “glammy” mirrors, so Joan had the general contractor source the same wood as the floor and wrap it around the nook. A floating console topped with limestone and a wiggly mirror for a touch of whimsy makes for the ultimate check-point. And you don’t get more personal than a hand-knotted rug precision-stepped to flank the mantle.

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Applying a curatorial approach to the lighting also helped elevate each space: “Just like you would with art—where you have paintings, works behind glass, sculptures—it’s all about balancing the mix of flush mounts, pendants or chandeliers, and wall sconces,” she explains. Cohesion is the recipe to success, which is why she lays all the options out on boards in her studio to ensure the shared visual thread.

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Joan adores designing and specifying built-ins, but since the house already had many existing ones, she tweaked them to interesting colors and swapped out the hardware. The savings were allocated to unique custom pieces, such as the sideboard wrapped in oxblood leather in the living room. “Having a wood console there just wasn't going to be special enough,” says Joan, who also applied this elevated finish to the rail along the banquette seating in the kitchen. It’s a subtle but luxe detail she has since used on a coffee table in another project.

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While the owners, a creative couple with backgrounds in graphic design, favored grays and creams in their former home, they were ready to embrace a warmer, more saturated palette. The only space where Joan had to deploy her powers of persuasion was with her vision for a deep olive green playroom for the couple’s son. “There was a little hesitation from the wife, who worried it would make the space look smaller or darker,” she explains. But by painting only halfway onto the wood-clad walls, sourcing fun yet sophisticated fabrics for the chairs and seat pads, and designing a custom table for homework and board games, it’s become one of the most welcoming—and favorite—spots.

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Working with a repeat client also meant revisiting familiar pieces. The upholstered bed slotted right into the new principal bedroom, and the old living room sofa joined it to make way for a new find on the main floor. “It was fun to move pieces around like a puzzle,” says Joan. “I was also happy that we had some art to work with because it's nice when clients collect things you've had input on.”

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The home—which the owners describe as their “sanctuary”—effortlessly sums up Joan’s design ethos: “It’s timeless and classic, fresh and clean, and layered but never cluttered. Our work has a lot of juxtapositions, and that tension is important because it creates something interesting.”

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