Designer Chelsea Frommer and her spouse were instantly enchanted by a sunlit, four-story brownstone in the historic Hamilton Park neighborhood of Jersey City, despite its need for a complete renovation. “When I walked into the house, I immediately saw its potential,” recalls Frommer, founder of Jersey City-based Rose + Co Interiors. Nestled on a picturesque tree-lined street, the property is surrounded by a row of quaint brick townhomes dating back to 1885.
“This is our main dining area, homework space and arts-and-crafts area,” says Frommer. Photo: Melissa Cacioppo
Just days before the Covid-19 pandemic altered the world in 2020, the couple purchased the property with the intention of transforming the existing four-family home into two units: a triplex for themselves, with a one-bedroom rental unit on the garden level. “We were doing this in the height of Covid, so things were unknown, prices were sky-high, and everything was back-ordered,” recalls Frommer. “I had to get creative and use what was readily available.”
The primary bedroom exudes calmness, featuring custom wallpaper that depicts a scene from the Italian countryside. Photo: Melissa Cacioppo
After completing the renovations, they moved into the house in May 2021, just three weeks before the arrival of their first child. “Jersey City is an awesome area to raise a family,” says Frommer, noting its convenience just minutes from Manhattan, ideal for her husband’s daily commute. The burgeoning food scene and nearby bustling Hamilton Park are central to family life, providing various activities, from a farmers market to live music and seasonal events.
From the very beginning, preserving the brownstone’s historical elements and honoring its legacy were paramount. “I am a firm believer in keeping or restoring anything you can,” says Frommer. Fortunately, many original elements remained intact, including the dog-ear molding, plaster crowns, grand staircase and marble fireplace mantel. “These elements were made by hand 100-plus years ago and will hopefully stand for another century,” she says.
Modern artwork by Frommer, displayed above the original marble fireplace in the living room, “brings the room into this generation,” she says. Photo: Melissa Cacioppo
While the exterior trim work was largely preserved, the front entry told a different story. Frommer likened it to an office door from the 1980s, a remnant of previous owners’ choices. After thorough research, she found a “period-appropriate and perfectly sized double door” at Amighini Architectural Salvage Yard in Jersey City, restoring the entry’s place in history.
The original millwork and the period-appropriate double-entry door were repainted in Onyx, a rich black hue by Benjamin Moore. Photo: Melissa Cacioppo
Among her significant finds was a vintage mantel reclaimed from the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City, dating back to the early 1900s. “Though it’s not original to the home, I wanted to recreate a fireplace in the library,” she notes, highlighting that the fireplace shaft extends through all four floors, emphasizing its architectural importance.
The library, painted in Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen Blue, is a multifunctional space for TV, play or work. A prized feature is the antique mantel, one of approximately 200 salvaged from the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Photo: Melissa Cacioppo
After removing mismatched flooring—whether vinyl, tile, hardwood or laminate—Frommer uncovered the home’s original wide-plank pine subfloors. To enhance their appearance, she had them bleached and whitewashed to “remove the orange tint you typically get with pine,” she says.
With assistance from DEO Kitchen & Bath in Hoboken, the extensive renovation involved installing all-new plumbing and electrical systems. Along the way, there were some surprises that needed addressing, such as the excavation of the entire first floor, which revealed severely cracked and damaged original clay-pipe sewer lines.
Classic Calcutta Gold and Nero Marquina honed marble tiles, arranged in a diamond pattern, add depth to the primary bath and extend seamlessly into the shower via a linear drain. Photo: Melissa Cacioppo
Throughout the house, Frommer’s approach skillfully blends high and low design, merging cost-effective pieces with high-impact luxury items to elevate the space. The end result honors the home’s legacy while seamlessly integrating modern amenities for their growing family, now including three children and an 80-pound Bernedoodle. “It’s a balanced marriage of multiple styles,” Frommer explains, combining sleek modern elements with traditional pieces and antiques to create a vibrant home that bridges past and present.
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