Big news for our team. The Long Island Press featured one of our favorite projects in its “Inside Job” column. Writer Tammy Scileppi profiled our multiroom renovation in the Oyster Bay area under the title “Old Meets New In This Multiroom.”
We are proud of this one. The story below is our own recap of the project. You can read the full feature in the Long Island Press for the complete article.
The Project Behind the Feature
Our clients were newlyweds from Brooklyn. They wanted fresh air and a calmer pace, so they bought an 8,000 square foot home in the Glen Head and Old Brookville area near Oyster Bay. The plan was to split time between the new house and their Williamsburg apartment.
One problem stood in the way. The house came furnished in the previous owner’s traditional style. Persian rugs and formal pieces filled rooms with 35-foot ceilings. Our clients wanted a modern classic look instead. The scale alone would overwhelm most homeowners.
Robyn’s approach never changes. “This is your home. I want it to be all about you and what you love.” That mantra shaped every decision that followed.
Two Visions, One Home
Each client brought something different to the table. Kevin wanted the fireplaces turned into focal walls and cared deeply about art. Aline wanted the big house to feel like a real home. Our job was to merge both visions.
Design always starts conceptual for us. Robyn presented her focal wall vision first, then brought her millworker into the project. The two fireplace walls got separate plans. Both shared a modern simplicity. Each used different materials and execution.
Room by Room Highlights
The feature focused on three spaces: the grand living room, the family room, and the first-floor master bedroom. Here is what went into each:
| Room | Key Moves | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Living room (35 x 60 ft) | Dark mahogany fireplace panels in 48-inch squares, ebony stain, tone-on-tone geometric rug | Stark Carpet, Swaine, Baker |
| Family room (30 x 40 ft) | Custom porcelain tile fireplace wall, cobalt blue performance velvet sofa | Kravet, Swaine, Vanguard, Lazar |
| Master bedroom (40 x 30 ft) | Lilac and gray palette, two coordinating rugs to define zones, custom bedding, local artwork | Kravet, Anahi DeCanio |
How the Rooms Came Together
Robyn builds every room starting at the floor. Rug shopping usually happens at one of the first client meetings because the rug defines the personality of the room. The build goes from there.
A trip to Stark Carpet produced two rugs with tone-on-tone geometric patterns. One went to the living room and one to the family room. Similar colors let the two patterns play off each other across the open spaces.
The fireplace walls became the stars. Mahogany panels gave the living room depth and height against those huge ceilings. Porcelain tiles defined the family room wall. Simple black metal surrounds tied both modern fireplaces together. A cobalt blue velvet sofa then woke up the once beige family room.
A Lilac Retreat for the Master Bedroom
Aline took the lead in the bedroom. Color runs deep in her Brazilian roots, and no shade beats lilac for her. So the design ran with it.
Lilac side chairs and a chaise pop against simple gray wallpaper and window treatments. Muted gray tones ground the palette and keep the room serene. Custom bedding and a piece by local artist Anahi DeCanio finished the space. Artwork is a large focus in all of our projects, and this room shows why.
Why This Feature Matters to Us
Press features are more than bragging rights. They show our work holds up to an outside eye. An independent writer toured the project, interviewed Robyn, and told the story to Long Island readers.
You can see more of our media coverage on our press page. Curious what a project like this involves? Our interior design services page walks through everything we handle from concept to install.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was this project located?
The home sits in the Glen Head and Old Brookville area near Oyster Bay on Long Island’s North Shore. The owners split their time between this home and Brooklyn.
What was the biggest design challenge?
Scale. The 8,000 square foot home had 35-foot ceilings and massive main rooms. Every rug, panel, and furniture piece had to be sized and customized to hold its own in those spaces.
What is a focal wall?
A focal wall is a single wall designed to anchor a room. In this project both fireplace walls became focal walls. One used dark mahogany panels and the other used custom porcelain tile.
Who featured this project?
The Long Island Press covered the project in its “Inside Job” column. Writer Tammy Scileppi interviewed designer Robyn Baumgarten of Interiors by Just Design for the feature.
Can I see more projects like this?
Yes. Our portfolio and press pages show completed projects across Long Island, including before and after photos of renovations like this one.
About the Author
Robyn Baumgarten
Founder & Principal Designer•Interiors by Just Design
Robyn is the visionary behind Interiors by Just Design, bringing decades of experience and an impeccable eye for detail to every project. Her signature approach centers on casual elegance, timeless, classic pieces layered with texture, light, and the natural materials that define refined coastal living across Long Island and the Hamptons.