From Tired to Timeless: How a Thoughtful White Palette Revived This Hoboken Row House
When designer Joan Enger set out to find a location for her debut retail store, she wasn’t expecting to end up a landlord. The founder of J. Patryce Design & Company, based in New Jersey, was looking for a storefront in Hoboken to bring her design business into a physical space. What she found, however, was more than just a commercial property—it came with an attached row house, a compact three-bedroom dwelling that had seen better days.
At first glance, the attached home might have discouraged a less seasoned eye. Its interiors were outdated and worn, with an awkward layout and very little charm. But Enger, whose husband is a real estate developer, saw potential—and so did he. The couple realized the space could be transformed into a desirable rental, and in that realization, an ambitious seven-month renovation began.
A Compact Brownstone with Possibilities
The 1,800-square-foot home had good bones: soaring ceilings and generous windows that allowed natural light to flood the rooms. These architectural features became the foundation for Enger’s vision. “It felt like a miniature brownstone,” she recalls, “and I knew it could really shine with the right updates.”
But before any shining could begin, Enger had to tackle the strange and inefficient floor plan. The most puzzling detail? A full bathroom awkwardly placed right next to the kitchen on the main floor. Even worse, it required navigating a steep staircase to reach the shower area—a setup that made little sense for daily living.
Her first move was to reimagine that bizarre space. She converted the main-floor bathroom into a powder room and a closet, adding convenience and logic to the layout. Upstairs, the largest bedroom was outfitted with a full en-suite bath—transforming it into a proper primary suite and making the house far more functional for future tenants.
The Power of a Perfect White
But the real secret to this home’s transformation wasn’t just in the layout—it was in the palette. Enger leaned heavily into a curated combination of white paints to elevate the once-dingy space into a serene, cohesive, and welcoming home.
Choosing the right white paint might seem simple, but for a designer like Enger, it’s a nuanced art. She selected complementary tones that would enhance the natural light and emphasize the architectural details without feeling sterile or flat. The result was a layered, inviting backdrop that unified each room, no matter how small or oddly shaped.
“The key was to choose whites with subtle contrast,” she explains. By pairing warmer and cooler shades, Enger gave each space dimension and warmth while maintaining a clean, modern aesthetic.
Minimal but Meaningful Touches
With her white palette as the anchor, Enger kept the décor simple and unfussy—prioritizing clean lines, natural textures, and purposeful design choices that wouldn’t overwhelm the small footprint of the home. Fixtures and finishes were upgraded throughout, but nothing felt flashy or excessive. The goal wasn’t to create a showpiece, but a livable, elevated rental that offered both comfort and sophistication.
Storage was maximized without compromising aesthetics—smart built-ins, efficient closets, and custom cabinetry ensured the space felt generous despite its size. “I wanted it to feel like a place someone could really live in,” says Enger, “not just crash between work and dinner.”
Ready for the Rental Market
Just seven months after taking on the property, Enger had completely reimagined the once-forgotten row house. What began as a neglected space became a bright, airy home with just the right balance of charm and modern convenience.
Now, it stands not only as a successful rental property but as an extension of Enger’s design philosophy: thoughtful, personal, and refined—proof that even the most tired of spaces can be reborn with vision, restraint, and a few gallons of perfectly chosen white paint.
For prospective renters, it’s a move-in-ready dream. For Enger, it was a design exercise turned unexpected real estate win. And for the design world, it’s one more example of how a clear creative lens—combined with smart planning—can unlock the hidden beauty in any home.
