When Meg Selling and her husband, Ralf, were returning to the States with their three children (Adele, 10, George, 8, and Fritz, 6) after spending seven years in Ralf's hometown of Frankfurt, Germany, they called on Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat to help renovate the turn-of-the-century Colonial they'd recently purchased in Rumson, on the Jersey Shore.

Joe Lucas happens to be Meg's brother. When Joe and Parrish opened their own design firm, in fact, having five siblings helped him to kick-start his portfolio. "I thought I could either keep my job security and let someone else mess up my siblings' houses, or I could go out on my own and do what everyone always warns you not to do-mix business and family," says Joe. "I couldn't be happier with my decision. It's a nice precedent, actually. Now no one in the family can call any other designer. They're trapped."

Photography: John Bessler

Architect: Dan Rew, HDR CUH2A, 1000 Lenox Dr., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648; 609/844-1212.
Interior design: Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat, Lucas Studio Inc./Harbinger, Almont Yard, 636-A N. Almont Dr., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310/858-6884.

The house's selling points were obvious. At almost 7,000 square feet, it was more than enough space for the young family-not to mention the large contingent of German friends and family who visit often and sometimes stay for weeks. It also had a "salty, old-shore charm," says Meg. The exterior was restored to its original grandeur by replacing the old siding with red cedar shakes.

Inside, while the classic home captivated the Selligs, there were two small problems: First, there was the stuffiness factor, and second, the layout was less than family-friendly. "The house was plenty big enough; we just needed it to flow better for the family," notes Joe.

And so the nearly two-year-long renovation began. "A referee was sometimes needed," laughs Parrish, describing her role as honorary sister and design-dispute tiebreaker. "Meg occasionally needed two of us to bully her into things-two against one!"

At first view, the living room seemed dauntingly large. The solution was to separate it into three distinct zones. "We concentrated the seating around the fireplace and added separate zones for a game table and a piano," explains Parrish. "It really became a surprisingly cozy, functional room."

Sources:
Boat sculpture (by Curtis Jere): Harbinger LA, 310/858-6884.
Sofas (custom): Designed by Lucas Studio, 310/858-6884.
Sofa fabric ("Velours Trigance''/Spruce #2034-02): Rose Tarlow-Melrose House, 323/651-2202, rosetarlow.com, trade only.
Sofa pillow at left (antique): owner's collection.
Sofa pillow, center ("Silk Denim''/Bronze #2515-06, by Larsen); sofa pillow, right ("Suzani'' by Manuel Canovas; discontinued; for similar, "Byzance''/Turquoise #4571-03);
drapery fabric ("Silk Denim''/Bronze #2515-06, by Larsen): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com, trade only.
Drapery fabrication: Susan Portera, Just Sewing, 732/758-8949.
Rug: Michaelian & Kohlberg, 212/431-9009, michaelian.com, trade only.
Coffee table: Ambiance Antiques, 415/255-9006, ambianceantiques.com.
Elephant side table; sconces: owner's collection.
Petrified wood side table: Berbere Imports, 310/842-3842, berbereimports.com.
Pair of chairs: Charles Fradin Showroom, 323/951-1200.
Lanterns: Charles Edwards, 011 44 207 736 8490, charlesedwards.com.
Stools ("Allegra Bench'' #F-OT08): Formations, 310/659-3062, trade only.
Wall paint ("Manchester Tan'' #HC-81): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667.

The piano occupies one of the three living room zones.

Sources:
Glass table lamp: Simon Pearce, 800/774-5277, simonpearce.com.
White table lamp: owner's collection.
Drapery ("Silk Denim'' in Bronze): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com, trade only.
Chairs in window; chair fabric ("Celtic Cloth''): Rose Tarlow-Melrose House, 323/651-2202, rosetarlow.com, trade only.
Seagrass rug: S&J Biren Inc., 310/553-0971. Antique rug: Michaelian & Kohlberg, 212/431-9009, michelian.com, trade only.
Sofas: designed by Lucas Studio, 310/858-6884.
Sofa fabric ("Velours Trigance'' in Spruce): Rose Tarlow, 323/651-2202.
Pair of chairs: Charles Fradin Showroom, 323/951-1200.
Stools ("Allegra Bench''): Formations, 310/659-3062, trade only.

Adele, Fritz, and George enjoy playing at the game table in the third distinct area of the large living room.

Sources:
Game table: designed by Lucas Studio, 310/858-6884.
Game-table chairs ("Dabney'' #2252-02): Hickory Chair, 800/349-4579, hickorychair.com.
Wall paint ("Manchester Tan''):" Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Sisal rug: S&J Biren Inc., 310/553-0971, sjbiren.com.

Through the French doors of the living room was formerly a sunroom. It was opened up into a large terrace to allow for additional sunlight through the doors.

The Biedermeier secretaire is a treasured piece, purchased and restored in Germany.

Sources:
Secretary (antique, Biedermeier); chair; flower painting (by homeowner): owner's collection.
Art over secretary (by Richard Loud): artist's works available through J. Russell Jinishian Gallery, 203/259-8753.

The dining room remained structurally unchanged, but the updated palette-mossy-green walls and eggplant-hued window treatments-gives the room a moody ambience. The dining room chairs, the first items that designers Joe Lucas and Parrish Chilcoat found for the house, caused one of many sibling battles. "Meg couldn't decide forever," laughs Joe.

Sources:
Drapery ("Barcelona"/Brun #4551-12, by Manuel Canovas): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, trade only.
Fabrication: Susan Portera, Just Sewing, 732/758-8949.
Drapery hardware: Douglas Wright & Assoc., 323/931-6578.
Dining table (Louis XIV stone bases with custom-sized walnut top): Dennis & Leen, 310/652-0855, trade only.
Dining chairs ("Anna Chair''): Janus et Cie, 212/752-1117, janusetcie.com, trade only. Chandelier; sconce: Charles Edwards, 011 44 207 736 8490, charlesedwards.com. Armoire (from Germany): owner's collection.
Rug: Michaelian & Kohlberg, 212/431-9009, michaelian.com, trade only.
Credenza: Mecox Gardens, 800/487-4854, mecoxgardens.com.
Flowers: Katydid Flower Studio, 732/741-3370.
Paint ("Kingsport Gray'' #HC-86): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667.

Architect Dan Rew, who is Meg and Joe's brother-in-law, helped create an updated kitchen that, along with a breakfast nook and family-room area, became the epicenter of the house.

The kitchen work area was shifted from the rear of the home to the heart of it, and 500 square feet were added to accommodate the adjoining breakfast nook and mudroom. Meg also requested an oversized center island-perfect for food prep, art projects, and meals on the fly.

Sources:
Counter stools ("Lambert Industrie Stools''): Lambert through Natural By Design, 705/765-1882, pummer.com.
Hanging pendant lights (antique jelly jar fixtures): Remains Lighting, 212/755-5484. Backsplash tile ("Nejarine Mosaic Tile''): Mosaic House, 212/414-2525.
Range: Lacanche, 800/570-2433, frenchranges.com.
Paint on kitchen island ("Drab'' #41): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com. Accessories; painting: owner's collection.

Cabinets in the butler's pantry were reconfigured to provide a more symmetrical layout. New countertops, a wine refrigerator, and additional refrigerator drawers were added to transform it into a workhorse prep and storage space-perfectly placed between the large kitchen and the dining room.

Sources:
Faucet: Rohl, 800/777-9762, rohlhome.com.
Countertop and sink: Black Absolute Granite.
Cabinet insert color ("Drab'' #41): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121.
Lobster panels (custom design): Lucas Studio Inc., 310/858-6884.
Hardware: Rocky Mountain Hardware, 888/788-2013, rockymountainhardware.com. Backsplash ("Nejarine Mosaic Tile,'' custom color): Mosaic House, 212/414-2525.

The cheerful blue wicker chairs and light fixture with its wonderful patina-a Paris flea market find cherished by Meg-add powerful personality to the pint-sized breakfast nook. A mudroom can be seen through the door.

Sources:
Table (custom, X-Base Trestle Dining Table''): Mecox Gardens, 310/358-9272.
Chairs ("Daisy Dining Chairs''/Wave): Maine Cottage, 207/846-3699, mainecottage.com.
Chair cushions ("Baudelaire Stripe''/Moss, Brown #10924-04); pillow on bench ("Dante''/Red, Persimmon #10923-03): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, trade only. Roman shades ("Castec Roman Shades''/Hiroshi Maple): Douglas Wright & Assoc., 323/931-6578.
Bench cushion ("Lanai''/Peat #2309-03): Rose Tarlow-Melrose House, 323/651-2202, trade only.
Pillow on bench ("Monkey''/Curry #560U45): Raoul Textiles, 310/657-4931, trade only. Hanging light fixture (antique); painting: owner's collection.

The master bedroom, with lively sherbet-hued walls, layered rugs, and a four-poster, became the perfect antidote for Meg's aversion to anything stodgy. "She really wanted a fun, eclectic spin on a traditional house. I knew she wouldn't want to do the same old thing," says Joe.

Sources:
Bed: Charles Fradin Showroom, 323/951-1200.
Rug: Michaelian & Kohlberg, 212/431-9009.
Side tables: Mecox Gardens, 800/487-4854.
Table lamps: Ambiance Antiques, 415/255-9006.
Armchairs: Lucas Studio Inc., 310/858-6884.
Chair fabric ("Hampton Linen''/Mallard #2082-05): Rose Tarlow-Melrose House, 323/651-2202, trade only.
Painting: owner's collection.
Wall paint ("Fowler Pink'' #39): Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121.
Ceiling and trim paint ("Swiss Coffee'' #OC-45): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667. Bed drapery ("Oyster,'' Moghul Collection); bedspread ("Sand,'' Moghul Collection); pillow shams ("Storm,'' Moghul Collection: John Robshaw Textiles, 212/594-6006, johnrobshaw.com, trade only.

Upstairs, the old "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" adage prevailed. The only substantial change was a renovation of the children's bathroom. The lilac-hued walls and delicate floral-patterned blinds belie the fact that three young children-two of them boys-put it through a rigorous daily workout.

Sources:
Vanity; sconces: Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com. Fixtures: Waterworks, 800/899-6757, waterworks.com.
Roman shade fabric ("Madeleine''/Lavender #803B68): Raoul Textiles, 310/657-4931, trade only.
Fabrication: Susan Portera, 732/758-8949.
Bird: Church Street Gardens, 732/936-1200.
Wall treatment (custom faux finish): Shelly Denning Interior Decorative Painting, 203/912-4145.

Adele's darling bedroom.

Sources:
Sheets ("Samode Pink,''' for Kashmire bed); quilt ("Mathura''): John Robshaw Textiles, 212/594-6006, johnrobshaw.com.
Ottoman ("Emily Dressing Seat'' in Pink): Main Cottage, 888/859-5522, mainecottage.com
Rug ("Reflections'' in Earth #MSR8625A by Martha Stewart): Safavieh, 212/888-0626, safavieh.com.
Chest of drawers; dollhouse; chest of drawers: owner's collection.

Happy with the results: Meg Sellig and her designing brother Joe Lucas.

While the renovation may be complete, Joe's siblings still call their baby brother for the occasional design counsel. "It's not about me anymore," he sighs. "It's more like, 'How was your weekend? What light should I use in my kitchen?'"