When Joy Navon first walked through her mother's 2,200-square-foot split-level home in New Jersey at age 18, she immediately saw its potential. Twelve years later, as an interior decorator and content creator, she took on the ambitious project of renovating the dated 1970s house into a bright, welcoming haven for her family, which now spans four generations.
Navon's connection to the house runs deep. It's not just her mother's residence; it's the family's gathering place, where milestones like weddings and holiday dinners have unfolded. "This is not just my mom's house," Navon explains. "My mom is also the matriarch of our family, so this home is all of our homes." The renovation, which began two years ago and is still ongoing, is a labor of love aimed at creating a space that feels good for generations to come.
Letting the Daughter Lead
Working with family can sometimes lead to friction, but for Navon, it was the opposite. Her mother, Nadine Anderson, gave her full creative control over the project. Navon's history of rearranging rooms as a child and two decades of living together gave her deep insight into her mother's style. Anderson's favorite colors—black, white, and brown—made choosing a palette straightforward. The goal was to create a relaxing, timeless home, not a trendy showpiece. "She has such a busy life with work and family that coming home for her is like, 'I just want to be quiet and have my book and have my wine,'" Navon says.
Restoring the Heart of the Home
One of the most exciting discoveries came when they pulled up the pink 1970s carpet. Underneath, they found hardwood floors, a feature Anderson had long missed from their apartment days in Brooklyn. Navon and her husband undertook a full restoration, sanding and staining the floors a honey-oak hue. "They're probably my favorite thing about what we've done in the house so far," Navon says. She also preserved the original wood framing around the bay window and doors, as well as the tile floors in the foyer, valuing their uniqueness.
A significant design decision was whether to paint the original brick wall, a staple of the '70s. After a decade of living with the dark red brick, Anderson was ready for a change. They opted to paint it a misty white, dramatically brightening the space. "It feels so much brighter. It feels so fresh, so inviting," Navon says.
DIY and Budget-Friendly Solutions
When a dream coffee table at a high-end store was out of budget, Navon didn't give up. She photographed it, sent it to her husband, and asked if he could make it. After workshopping in their garage, he crafted a unique geometric table stained a rich espresso hue, with their names carved into it. "I tweaked the design personally because I didn't want it to look like a carbon copy," Navon says.
Instead of major structural changes, Navon focused on small upgrades with big impact. Staining window frames and staircase railings refreshed the look on a budget. Swapping out light switch covers and light fixtures were other DIY projects. "You just take it off and pay attention to the wires, change it, and put a new one up there," she says. A new gold globe light fixture in the dining room was both modern and affordable.
Honoring the Past, Welcoming the Future
The home is a time capsule of family memories. Navon was married there in 2021 during the pandemic, a decision that continued a family tradition of marrying at home. The yard has hosted countless celebrations, and upcoming milestones like high school graduations and birthdays will add to the history. This past Christmas, the family finally gathered around a large enough dining table to seat everyone together. "At one point, we looked at each other and were like, 'We're all sitting together. Finally,'" Navon recalls.
The renovation is a testament to the power of family and the importance of creating a home that honors the past while embracing the future. As Navon puts it, the work is worth it to make the home "something that feels good for generations to come."
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