Interior designer Stephanie Kraus used natural materials, organic textures, and neutral colors.
When a Bryn Mawr couple were looking to expand their Longport home for their large blended family — both had children from previous marriages who were now married with kids of their own — the most logical plan was to tear it down and start from scratch. The project was monumental: a three-story, six-bedroom manse, designed by Jenkintown-based Asher Slaunwhite + Partners and built by Longport’s Legend Construction Managers, big enough to host three generations comfortably — with room to grow.
“The house and its rooms are all very large, so in order to make it feel inviting instead of a museum-like monstrosity, we focused on natural, organic materials,” explains Wayne-based interior designer Stephanie Kraus, who was tasked with making the home feel cozy.
In the hands of less capable designers, bringing a soaring space down to earth might look like a few slabs of natural stone and a smattering of jute rugs and coastal rattan. But for Kraus, texture took on a life of its own: fluted wood details, slatted white oak paneling, chunky wood floating steps. Everything played into a sandy color palette paired with sleek patterns…