Mix of old and new creates homey space

Home and Garden

Mix of old and new creates homey space

Melissa and David Rovner created a very livable home by mixing old and new elements.

Text by CHRIS REINOLDS: Melissa and David Rovner are the second owners of this slate-roof Tudor home designed by architect Stanley Dixon. The 7,000-square-foot, five-bedroom home was built three years ago and is on the market for $3,475,000. Patti Junger of Coldwell Banker is handing the sale.

The family room is furnished with an eclectic mix of items. It includes an opium table from the 1800s. "It's the first piece we bought ... when we married," Melissa Rovner said. The rug, weaved in Madagascar, is made of grass fiber and bound with brown leather. The 10-foot antique armoire is made of French walnut, and all the draperies in the home are Belgian linen.

The breakfast table is made of zinc and iron with an antique iron industrial base.

The formal dining room includes 20 pieces of large natural coral that Rovner has bought over time. The buffet is an antique industrial cabinet that she had refinished and repainted.

Rovner describes her decorating style as "relaxed and comfortable and homey." It includes a mix of antiques and clean-lined, slip-covered furniture. It's a very livable home," said Rovner, who did the interior design work herself. "I think the decor and the organic nature of the house with all details is just soothing." The Rovners previously lived in Seaside where their decor was more Mediterrean. "We love mixing old and new," she said.

They switched the living room and dining room, which now gives them a cozy fireplace while enjoying a meal.

The home's original design was slightly more formal than the current owners' taste. The Rovners' most dramatic change was the liming of the wood floors. The process takes the wood back to its natural form. "Then we had them scrape it by hand to get the actual grain of the wood out of it. I like it when it's textured," she said.

The kitchen/breakfast room area is the heart of the Rovner home. The couple replaced all the lighting in the home. The kitchen chandelier is custom made.

The front sitting room includes two paintings by Kathryn Miles. "We bought those about seven or eight years ago because they were portraits of coastal dune lakes and we lived on a coastal dune lake at the beach," Rovner said. "We love her style. She has a very beautiful way to capture landscape." The French bronze chandelier is a family heirloom. "It's a grand piece that is just awesome," she said.

Coral can be found throughout the home as a brilliant focus. "I've collected natural coral for about 15 years. I love the form and color of natural coral," Rovner said. She and her sister Allison Stackpole created Nastro Bello, a jewelry line that uses organic, natural elements such as freshwater pearls. Rovner has a studio in her home and does private showings as well.

The office nook includes display space for Rovner's Floraline collection.

The walls and ceiling are covered in shiplap and details brimming with texture. The limed-wood floors provide a study in contrast.

The couple has two children, Adam, 6, and Emmie, 2. David Rovner is a sustainability consultant, helping companies reduce their energy consumption and use more green practices.

The home is set amid mature trees, providing a peaceful view from the master bath.

David Rovner said the shiplap gives the space height and texture. the bench with hidden storage is a convenient drop-off point for school bags and coats.

Emmie scampers about her bedroom, which was recently transformed into a big girl's room.

The Rovners converted an office space off the master bedroom into a relaxing sitting area.

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Text by CHRIS REINOLDS: Melissa and David Rovner are the second owners of this slate-roof Tudor home designed by architect Stanley Dixon. The 7,000-square-foot, five-bedroom home was built three years ago and is on the market for $3,475,000. Patti Junger of Coldwell Banker is handing the sale.

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