Ania Dunlop of Home for Zen crafted a Westchester home showcasing decades worth of art, heirlooms, and graphic prints for pops of personality.

Creatives benefit from project briefs and client feedback just as writers are made better from editorial assignments and proofreading. Critiquing oneself is never easy. But what happens when an interior designer is tasked with crafting their own sanctuary" Such was the monumental task for Ania Dunlop of Home for Zen who recently bought and completed a gut renovation of her Westchester family home after 30 house tours. Built in 2003, the structure continues to be the ideal stage for soulful expression as she showcases decades worth of art, heirlooms, and the occasional graphic print for extra pops of personality.
Prospective buyers are enticed by a plethora of things from amenities to flashy finishes, but for Dunlop it will always be about potential. ?Despite being a dated Mediterranean-style home, it had great bones, expansive space, and the kind of grounds that are perfect for entertaining,? she says. ?I could immediately envision the transformation. It was clear this house was more than just a property; it was a canvas to create something special.”

The sprawling residence now comprises three levels ? basement, ground, and first ? with a dining, family, living, sunroom, kitchen with cafe nook, two offices, five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, two powder rooms, an indoor pool, entertainment area with bar, gym, an...