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While some designers find their way into design through architecture school or gallery visits, for Joan Enger, founder of J Patryce Design, it all started with a dollhouse that her father built.
Joan filled the dollhouse with tiny pieces of furniture she sometimes crafted herself, and ever since, she has been drawn to creating spaces. By her early teens, she discovered antique shops and quickly became obsessed, furnishing her dorm room and first apartment with vintage finds. What began as instinct slowly evolved into a career.
When this townhouse project came along, the first thing Joan noticed was the width. “So many townhouses feel like corridors, but this one felt generous, open and full of possibility.”
Though most of the original details had been stripped away, the house had enough structure to build on and what was initially supposed to be a handful of modifications quickly evolved into a full gut renovation.
Tim Lenz
The dining room quickly became the heart of the project. Anchored by a moody James O’Shea painting from the Carrie Haddad Gallery, the design strikes a balance between modern restraint and elegance. “The clients loved it as much as I did, which was such a gift,” Joan says.
The table and seating are framed by vintage finds, each chosen intentionally to create a wonderful juxtaposition of old and new.
Tim Lenz
The veined marble island in the kitchen gives it weight, whilst warm wood cabinetry softens the edges and steel framed windows flood it with light.
Joan prides herself on designing for how people live over how rooms look aesthetically. From the stools at the island for casual moments to the banquette for formal dining, the space easily accommodates different activities – from hurried weekday breakfasts to late-night glasses of wine.
Tim Lenz
The living room is where Joan leaned into her clients’ preferences for a modern style. A clean lined sectional sofa sets the scene, while layered textures such as a wool rug, sculptural ceramics, and side tables soften the room.
The townhouse’s historic staircase and tall windows add charm, resulting in a space that feels composed and welcoming, equally suited to curling up with a book or hosting a cocktail hour.
Tim Lenz
In the bedroom, Joan kept things simple, using a neutral palette, while including an upholstered headboard, linen bedding and curtains that create the perfect space to relax. The restraint feels intentional rather than minimal for the sake of it, which is exactly what a bedroom should be.
Tim Lenz
Though the finished project looks nothing short of perfect, there were plenty of hurdles that could have derailed it. The first came when the team discovered floors that were sloped. A problem like that can derail a project, but with the help of a skilled contractor, they were able to correct it. Then came the supply issues with parts in limbo and finishes arriving weeks late.
As each issue was solved, trust grew. “The clients had a strong vision but allowed us to present our ideas and lead the aesthetic direction,” Joan says. “There were a few things they were on the fence about, but by the end of the process their faith in our vision allowed them to fully trust us.”
Tim Lenz
Looking back, this townhouse marked a milestone - J. Patryce Design’s first full feature in Architectural Digest. “That was huge for us, to see our work recognized on that level,” Joan reflects. But what stays with her more is the handwritten note she received from the clients, thanking not just her but the entire team. “It sounds simple,” she says, “but not every client does it. After years of work, it meant everything.”
From a Victorian dollhouse to a Hoboken townhouse, Joan’s joy has remained the same: making houses feel like home.
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