The Red Banyan – An Inside Look

There are many reasons we chose the Red Banyan – the interior design was most definitely not one! As much as my heart skipped a beat when I saw the house, I must accept, it had pretty drab and dull interiors. The realtor had asked the previous owners to paint the whole house matte white, to appeal to a broader buyer pool, but it somehow didn’t work in creating an impression. Now, white walls are beautiful, but it is only so when accented with colorful wall décor and fabrics. White walls minus any staging, seems just cold, sterile and hospital-esq. And that is exactly how the Red Banyan felt when we did our first walked-thru.

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Tip: If you are in the market to sell your house and your realtor demands you paint the house all white, remember these photos! It’s not always the right decision. 

Most new homes in New Jersey don’t have big lots and are rarely nestled among preservation lands and scenic routes. We knew if we wanted to live in a quaint picturesque setting, we would have to sacrifice on the build of the house. For instance, none of the slightly older homes had a huge dining room, dedicated mudroom, pantry or even a large island. We were on the lookout for a house that had these features or a layout that would support modifications.

The Red Banyan is your typical colonial – front entrance opens to the two-story foyer, formal living and formal dining on either side of the front entrance and the family living area/kitchen behind that and bedrooms on the first floor. However, one of the biggest sells for me was its quirky layout. It had lots of potential. We knew we could rearrange some of the walls and totally transform the space. More on that in later posts!

While there were some problem areas, the kitchen being my biggest nightmare, K & I realized that some simple cosmetic changes like a paint job or updated lighting would beautifully enhance the space. We could DIY a lot of the enhancements, and importantly, we have in our arsenal a reliable, trustworthy, skilled licensed contractor. We knew we could make this our dream, forever home!

The Red Banyan is a diamond in the rough, but a diamond indeed!