We figured a tour of my mom’s house was long overdue, especially since we were passing through on a recent whirlwind Thanksgiving visit. When in Manhasset, NY, why not stop by?
My mom has always favored a formal, traditional style—different from our own aesthetic, but one we genuinely admire. She’s an accomplished attorney who works long hours, so it makes sense that she invests time and care into creating a calm, elegant retreat for her and my stepdad. On with the tour!
They live in a charming four-bedroom house built in 1941 that they bought ten years ago and renovated from top to bottom. The original stone facade remained, but almost everything else was updated: the driveway was repaved and given a cobblestone medallion, and the landscaping was redesigned with shrubs and small trees of varying heights to echo the roofline.
The entryway sets the tone with original cut-glass and crystal chandeliers throughout the house—fixtures my mom cleans obsessively (toothbrush and all). They removed dated carpet and refinished the floors to bring back their shine, and the home’s graceful arched doorways were a welcome original detail.
My mom’s most inventive touches often appear in the kitchen and bathrooms, so we’ll linger there a bit. The original kitchen was roomy but run-down, so they gutted it and selected neutral travertine for the floors and backsplash, paired with dark oak cabinets and classic black-flecked granite countertops. True to form, she keeps two coffee pots going at all times—practical and endearing.
Her sink was the first undermount I’d ever seen, and her glass cooktop used to be the talk of the neighborhood. The backsplash mixes textures and motifs—lighter tiles include subtle, three-dimensional kitchen-themed accents like pears—adding personality against the neutral travertine. A smart detail: she lined the windowsill above the sink with matching granite for easy wipe-downs. It’s a small touch that’s both beautiful and practical.
They also expanded the footprint to create a cozy eating nook with a large table surfaced in the same granite as the counters. Using stone here keeps the room from feeling overwhelmed by wood—wise in a space already furnished with dark oak cabinets. It’s cohesive without being heavy.
Another clever move: my mom repurposed a curvy antique table as a bathroom vanity. She topped it with granite and installed a sink and faucet, creating a custom, classic piece that fits the home’s traditional character. It was also budget-friendly—she bought the table discounted because its original top had water damage, then refreshed it into something timeless.
The sunroom is bright and comfortable, furnished with a few masculine pieces my stepdad brought along. My mom hung custom valances around the room to “properly dress the windows,” a detail she was proud of after ten years. I suggested another idea—hung curtain panels in each corner, which we used in our sunroom—and while she liked the concept, she hasn’t made the switch yet. Maybe next year.
The main bedroom is airy and lit with another chandelier—so perhaps a bit of my mom’s taste did rub off on us. This pink chandelier once hung in our old dining room; she loved it enough to bring it into her own home.
Her mastery of bathroom design shows again in the master bath. She converted a dresser into a double-sink vanity by adding a granite top—an elegant, storage-friendly solution—and installed two matching mirrors, one over each sink, to create distinct stations. It’s a refined choice that can translate to many styles, from classic to contemporary.
Outside, the back patio is accessible from both the expanded kitchen and the sunroom. The patio features cobblestone pavers, low walls wired for lanterns, and limestone caps that create a warm, intimate atmosphere for outdoor gatherings. Mom jokes she would have made it larger if she had the chance—she loves to entertain—but it comfortably hosted a successful 50-person party recently. She also planted a screen of evergreens five years ago that have grown to provide privacy without feeling enclosed.
So that’s the tour of my mom’s classic, traditionally styled home. To put faces to the house, here’s my clever mom and her debonair husband at our backyard wedding, alongside my spouse and his parents—fond memories all around.
I hope her ideas sparked a few inspirations. My mom may have a formal style very different from mine, but her creativity and love of thoughtful details have undoubtedly influenced how I approach design. Love you, Mom—thanks for the tour!