There is little more comforting than the pull of childhood memories — and for Crystal Maki, founder of Silverwing Interiors, this emotional starting point shaped the renovation of her own family home in Little Silver, New Jersey. While newly built, the house was designed to feel layered, lived-in and quietly historical, reflecting her belief that a home should be joyful, expressive and deeply personal.
Having lived in London and New York, and studied both fashion and interior design, Maki brings a refined eye for colour, texture and storytelling to her interiors. “A home should be a joyful place that is a clear reflection of its inhabitants,” she explains — a philosophy that runs through every room of this expansive yet welcoming family house.
The renovation itself was prompted by practicality. “Everything in our kitchen broke simultaneously, so we knew we had to renovate,” Maki recalls. What followed was a comprehensive reworking of nearly two-thirds of the home, including relocating the laundry room, reconfiguring bathrooms, and reshaping the primary bedroom to better suit family life.
Throughout the redesign, Maki sought balance. “I wanted to strike the balance between being visually unique without being loud and gaudy,” she says. “Every room should offer a point of view that draws people in — something visually interesting to notice.” The result is an interior that feels layered and expressive, yet never overwhelming.
Much of the inspiration is rooted in memory. Growing up in a brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Maki drew on that sense of warmth and character to guide her choices. “I wanted the home to feel warm, historical (which it is not) and a bit funky,” she notes. This nostalgia is woven subtly throughout the home, most notably in the bathroom finished in Brooklyn Toile by Flavor Paper, a direct nod to her childhood surroundings.
Functionality was equally important. Despite the home being new construction, Maki adapted the layout of every renovated space. She carved out a walk-in pantry by reducing the office, opened the back of the house to maximise garden views from the kitchen sink, and repositioned the primary bedroom closet to accommodate a generous bed wall — small changes that dramatically improved everyday flow.
Colour and pattern bring personality without excess. Blues, creams and greens run throughout the home, softened by moments of taupe and mauve, such as the primary bedroom’s tray ceiling. In shared spaces, materials are layered — velvets, silks and leathers in the library, relaxed finishes elsewhere — ensuring each room has its own mood while remaining part of a cohesive whole.
The kitchen, clad in painted cabinetry with Sea Pearl quartzite countertops, brass hardware and wool rugs, exemplifies Maki’s approach: elegant yet practical, considered yet comfortable. Across the house, thoughtful detailing and a mix of bespoke and collected pieces create spaces that feel inviting rather than staged.
Ultimately, this home is less about perfection and more about feeling. It is a place where memory, colour and everyday life intersect — a reminder that the most successful interiors are those designed to be lived in, loved and enjoyed.
Credits
Interior design: Silverwing Interiors, Instagram: @silverwinginteriors
Photos: Will Ellis (Instagram @willellisphoto)
