When New Jersey-based designer Joan Enger began scouting properties in Hoboken, she was laser-focused on finding the perfect home for her first-ever storefront for J. Patryce Design & Company. But real estate has a way of throwing curveballs—and in this case, the perfect retail space came with an unexpected addition: a three-bedroom row house attached to it. While it wasn’t part of her original plan, Enger’s husband, a real estate developer, saw potential. And soon, so did she.
“It was like a mini brownstone,” Enger says, reflecting on her first impression. “It just needed some love and a fresh perspective.” With her designer’s eye already imagining the possibilities, she took the plunge and purchased the entire building.
What followed was a seven-month whirlwind renovation that would turn a dated, awkwardly arranged structure into a bright, elegant rental—proof that sometimes, the best opportunities are the ones you don’t see coming.
A Space with Good Bones—and Big Challenges
The 1,800-square-foot home wasn’t exactly a blank canvas. It had its charms—tall ceilings, large windows, and a charming brick facade—but the interior was worn down and oddly laid out. One of the more perplexing features? A full bathroom awkwardly tucked beside the kitchen, accessible only by navigating a set of steep steps. “It felt like the layout hadn’t been touched in decades,” Enger recalls.
For a designer who thrives on structure and flow, it was clear something had to change. The bathroom was removed and replaced with a more practical combination: a powder room and a closet. Upstairs, Enger reimagined the largest bedroom to include a full ensuite bath—instantly upgrading the functionality and appeal of the home for future renters.
White Paint, Elevated
While reworking the layout was essential, the true magic of the renovation came through in the finishes—and particularly, the use of white paint. But this wasn’t a flat, one-note whitewash. Enger is known for her ability to work with subtle shifts in tone and texture, and in this project, she used white in layered, elevated ways.
Walls, moldings, and cabinetry were painted in nuanced shades of white that shifted slightly depending on the room and lighting. Some had warmer undertones to soften spaces with less natural light; others leaned cooler to balance the warmth of wood floors or existing architectural details. The result was a sense of continuity and calm throughout the home, without feeling sterile or flat.
“It was all about making the home feel fresh, open, and refined—without overdoing it,” Enger explains. White became the backdrop that allowed the architecture to speak and the furnishings to pop. Paired with matte black fixtures, soft brass details, and organic textures, the palette added a sense of modern elegance that renters would immediately appreciate.
Smart Updates, Stylish Results
Enger’s approach to the renovation was driven by practicality as much as beauty. She wasn’t designing a dream home for a client—she was prepping a rental property that needed to be durable, low-maintenance, and broadly appealing. That meant thoughtful choices like engineered white oak flooring that could stand up to wear, and timeless tile selections that wouldn’t feel dated in a few years.
Kitchens and bathrooms were kept clean and simple, with Shaker-style cabinetry, sleek hardware, and classic marble-look quartz countertops. These elements created a sense of polish while staying on budget. The lighting was another key touch: globe fixtures, sconces, and pendants in neutral finishes brought in visual interest without overpowering the restrained palette.
What made the design shine was Enger’s ability to find that perfect middle ground—between modern and traditional, between stylish and sensible. It’s a skill that defines her work and one that turned this once-neglected row house into a gem on the Hoboken rental market.
A Space with Purpose
For Enger, the project was also personal. While it wasn’t her own home, the row house sat above and beside her soon-to-open design store—a space that would represent the next chapter of her professional life. She wanted the upstairs to reflect the same level of care, elegance, and functionality that she brings to every J. Patryce project.
And more than that, she understood that renters, just like homeowners, want spaces that feel considered. “Renters want beauty and comfort, too,” she says. “This house deserved to feel special, even if someone’s only living in it for a year or two.”
That mindset transformed what could have been a simple investment flip into something more meaningful. The home, once outdated and overlooked, became a thoughtful expression of design—and an invitation for someone new to create their own memories within its walls.
A Fresh Start—For Everyone
In just seven months, Joan Enger turned a dusty old row house into a serene, sophisticated rental property—and did it with restraint, precision, and a whole lot of white paint. It’s a case study in how the right designer can see past peeling paint and clunky layouts to find something timeless beneath the surface.
The project also marks a beginning—not just for the renters who will soon move in, but for Enger herself, as she opens her first storefront and steps into a new phase of her design career. The row house may have been an unexpected detour, but in the end, it proved that great design is often about recognizing opportunity—especially when it comes disguised as a dingy old building with good bones.
