The Wheaton House

Architect & Interior Designer: RS MANNINO Architecture+Design

Construction Management: RS MANNINO Construction

Project Location: Rutherford, New Jersey

Set on a tree-lined street in Bergen County, New Jersey, this turn-of-the-century shingle-style home was carefully reimagined to honor its historic character while introducing a fresh architectural clarity. The clients envisioned a house that could serve as both a welcoming family retreat and an elegant backdrop for entertaining—a “forever home” that bridges past and present.

The transformation began with the exterior, where authentic cedar shingles and cement stucco establish a timeless palette of texture and depth. Black casement windows bring definition and light to the façade, while the new wraparound porch and rear covered terrace extend living to the outdoors. Trimwork was handled with restraint, allowing shadow lines and material authenticity to provide richness without excess. Together, these elements give the home the quiet gravitas of an established residence, reinterpreted for modern family life.

Inside, the plan was restructured to create gracious connections between rooms while maintaining moments of intimacy. A paneled entry hall opens to a lacquered-ceiling living room in soft neutral tones, designed as a luminous counterpoint to the oak-paneled family room, where a brick fireplace and built-in bookcases form a warm gathering place.

The kitchen and dining area act as the heart of the home. White oak beams, bespoke cabinetry, and a sculptural plaster hood anchor the space, while a custom pantry door of antiqued mirror conceals practical storage with an artisanal touch. The adjacent dining room features tailored built-ins and banquette seating, striking a balance between casual family meals and sophisticated entertaining.

Throughout, careful attention was given to detail and proportion—from the inset paneling along the stair hall, illuminated by a restored stained-glass window, to the mudroom outfitted with custom millwork and herringbone brick flooring.

Upstairs, the architecture was reconfigured to expand the primary suite, incorporating a spacious bath and walk-in closets while preserving the home’s original roofline. Guest and children’s bedrooms are equally considered, with layered textures, custom wallcoverings, and natural light lending each space its own identity. Bathrooms are designed with material richness in mind—black herringbone tile in one, hand-finished wallpaper and brass accents in another—each a study in understated luxury.

On the lower level, a wine cellar clad in lime plaster walls and mahogany millwork evokes the intimacy of a European grotto. Outdoors, the architecture extends into a full suite of living spaces: a stone patio, fireplace, summer kitchen, and a lounge framed by evergreens. The firepit terrace becomes a natural gathering point for evenings with family and friends.

The completed home is both respectful of its history and attuned to contemporary living—an architecture of craft, material honesty, and enduring warmth. It is a place designed not only to house a family, but to host a life.