“Every summer this house comes to life. Every house has its season, and our season is definitely summer,” says homeowner Dana Dore of Farmingdale.
A passionate DIYer her entire life, Dore built a reputation in the design community by adding charm and color to her family’s 1,600-square-foot prefab home. Today, she’s a professional stylist, blogger, and Instagram darling at Adored House by Dana Dore (@adoredhouse) with over 23,000 followers.
“When guests come over for the first time, they are surprised to see that the house is only 12 years old and the ceilings are 2.5 metres high,” says Dore. “Because of my decorating tricks, our house looks much older and bigger in photos.” Her eye-catching favourites include tall furniture, tongue-and-groove board walls and vertically striped upholstery and curtain fabrics.
The dining room looks a century older than it actually is, with a collection of used dinnerware, board-and-batten walls, a vintage bar cart, old botanical maps and a carefully restored antique pine cabinet that Dore promises never to paint. Photo: Laura Moss
Home to Dore, her husband Bob, and their two daughters, the Monmouth County residence offers a relaxed, country atmosphere in a quiet community. Although the population is only 1,500, the bustling beaches of Belmar and Manasquan are a quick drive away.
“I like to decorate our home with nautical references in the form of artwork and found objects, but also have a good mix of timeless beach items since we are only 10 minutes from the coast,” says Dore.
Stylist Dana Dore and her daughters celebrate summer with a lemonade party in the backyard of their Farmingdale home. Photo: Laura Moss
Most of the interior is vintage-style, as she believes that “nothing compares to the quality and overall feel of antique art and furniture.” Even the not-so-old flowerbeds filled with hydrangeas, narcissus and roses give the impression of a mature vintage garden.
“When we bought our beige, characterless house in Farmingdale, I had no problem doing most of the work myself. Bob loves gardening and cooking, but he leaves almost everything else to me,” she says.
A quiet bedroom corner looks out into a pretty bathroom with a black and white floor hand-painted by Dore. Antique pine cabinets are found throughout the house and an old wicker basket houses a collection of antique quilts. Photo: Laura Moss
Dore grew up in New Jersey, where her parents instilled in her a love of antiques, painting, wallpapering, arranging (and moving) furniture, using power tools, and minor plumbing and electrical work. It seemed natural for her to study art and design, which evolved into a 14-year career in retail display, using her craft skills to decorate store windows.
Today, as a social media content creator, Dore inspires others to add personality to their own homes, even those that lack character.
When she and Bob, a chef at the Asbury Ocean Club, first viewed their home, the price was right and the grounds were perfect, but the new colonial-style home wasn’t what they were looking for. Dore eventually agreed to purchase the property after her husband assured her she would have free reign to make it her own.
“Especially today, when there are few properties on the market, people who dream of an old house sometimes settle for a newer house with no charm,” she notes. “As I always say, ‘Love what you’re with.’ You can make almost any place your dream home.”
The girls’ sisters’ suite features inlaid Art Deco beds, cotton linens and classic Morris & Co. wallpaper, reinterpreted by Ben Pentreath in a cheerful citrus palette. Photo: Laura Moss
In 2016, she began a slow but steady transformation of the downstairs living areas, as well as the master bedroom and children’s room. “My daughters are a huge inspiration to me, they inspire my style,” says Dore. “When I designed their sisters’ suite, it was a big collaboration. They were very open about their preferences in terms of wallpaper and room layout, and I completely understood their feelings because when I was 16, my parents allowed me to remodel my bedroom all by myself. At the time, I enjoyed touring Cape May homes, so my room was inspired by Victorian design.”
There are enchanting details in every nook and cranny. Photo: Laura Moss
A lush color palette abounds throughout the residence. Dore is particularly partial to summery yellows and greens, with a healthy dose of old-fashioned stripes and gingham. After watching home improvement shows such as This old house And Martha Stewart Living As a child, she loved to look for unusual finds for her home. A typical example: the family’s coffee table is an indestructible old ship’s hatch door, perfect for a game night with the kids.
Dore is an avid bargain hunter and addicted to Facebook Marketplace. “We’re lucky to live in New Jersey because Marketplace has great deals within driving distance,” she says.
She’s even spent a few hours out and about grabbing finds like the kids’ twin beds, the kitchen table and a spacious TV cabinet. What she absolutely needs for a perfect summer house with a shore vibe? White linens, freshly picked flowers on the table and freshly baked treats made from Jersey peaches.
“My best advice is to take the time and peace to fill your home with things you love and the people you love,” she says.
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