John Colaneri's Expertly Designed Home

Alongside his cousin Anthony Carrino, the designer and contractor has hosted four HGTV series, in which he’s done everything from overhaul exteriors to construct kitchens from scratch. All that experience sure came in handy when John and his wife, Jennifer, a teacher, decided to upgrade to more spacious digs in anticipation of growing their family (they had their first child, Lilyan Belle, last year). 

Working with Bennett Frank McCarthy Architects, John built a 4,000-square-foot modern farmhouse in Ramsey, NJ, that’s equally inspired by his love of contemporary architecture and Jennifer’s fondness for old barns. “We wanted people to look at our home and wonder, Was this always there? ” he says. The exterior features a mix of corrugated steel and ipe wood to look like a barn that’s been updated over time. Inside, the house showcases all the design ideas John champions on his shows, like an open living area, lacquered kitchen cabinets, and reclaimed-wood accents. “I’ve used a piece of every episode I’ve done in this house,” he says. “No wonder I love it so much!” 

“On TV I usually go with colored or custom appliances instead of stainless steel—and I did that here, too,” says John, who covered the fridge with panels that match the lacquered slab-front cabinets. Obsidian-like backsplash tiles from Artistic Tile, an ebony Dekton countertop, and futuristic pendants from Barn Light Electric add to the kitchen’s sleek look. The low-back red barstools are from allmodern.com. 

An unexpected mix of seating—including mid-century-modern armchairs from allmodern.com, upholstered wingbacks from Lulu & Georgia, and an oak bench from Restoration Hardware—give the dining area an informal vibe. “We’ve done mismatched chairs a lot on TV, and I love how it warms up a space,” says John, who built the table from beams salvaged from a brownstone reno.