Welcome to “Meant to Be” in Fox Hollow: A Buyer Journey + Renovation Story in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Overview
Some homes sell themselves. Others wait for the right family. And then there are those rare homes that somehow find you. That’s exactly what happened in Fox Hollow.
This story started when my clients reached out after falling in love with a home I had listed—a full renovation I designed. Even though that home was just outside their budget, their reaction told me everything: they weren’t casually shopping. They were looking for the one.
Representing buyers is never “just the transaction” for me. I take my time. I educate throughout the process. I want to understand how my clients live, what they value, and what they want their home to feel like—so I can guide them clearly, protect them in negotiations, and help them make confident decisions.
Fox Hollow immediately fit their vision: mature trees, winding roads, glowing lampposts, and classic Scarborough-built homes that feel like a true community. The market was competitive. We wrote several offers—but we walked away each time because the house didn’t feel quite right. I’m always okay with patience when it keeps my clients from forcing the wrong fit.
And when the right home finally appeared, I didn’t just see a purchase—I saw a life taking shape. My goal was to help them find a place that felt grounded and meant for them, and then guide the renovation with the same care: not trend-driven, not rushed, but designed around the people who would live there every day.
Property Story
Fox Hollow at a Glance
- Location: Fox Hollow, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
- Project type: Major renovation + addition for buyer clients
- Client goal: Find the right home in the right neighborhood, then transform it into a forever home
- Design approach: Personal, not trend-driven—designed around the family’s lifestyle, passions, and how they want to live
- Primary focus: Function + warmth + timeless materials + spaces that feel effortless to live in
- Team: Design vision led by me (Holly Garber Interiors); craftsmanship and build execution Ira Besser, Roman Builders
Why Fox Hollow Was the Right Fit
We started with a shared vision: find a home we could thoughtfully transform within budget. My clients were drawn to the timeless charm of Fox Hollow—mature trees, winding roads, and Scarborough-built homes with character and a true sense of community.
As we toured, I kept coming back to what matters most in a long-term home: location, layout potential, natural light, and the kind of warmth you can’t manufacture later. The market was fast and competitive, but we stayed patient. We wrote offers—and we walked away when it wasn’t right—because I’d rather protect my clients from “almost” than rush them into the wrong fit.
When We Considered Building Instead
At one point, we explored building new on a nearby lot. But once we dug into the topography, the real costs, and what it would take to bring their vision to life, I knew it wasn’t the best fit.
I always give honest advice—even when it isn’t the most convenient answer.
Then this house came on the market.
The Home I Knew Was “The One”
The moment I saw it in the MLS, I felt it. I drove over right away.
It had the things you can’t manufacture later—history, heart, and the unmistakable care of original owners who had cherished it for decades. Even without modern updates, the warmth in every room was undeniable.
My clients were out of town, so I sent a photo from the street. Later, I toured the home with Marc’s parents. When my clients moved in—over a year after closing—Marc’s mom reminded me of something I’d forgotten: that day at the showing, I turned to her and said, “I want this house for them.”
We Lost the House… Then It Came Back
We put together the strongest offer we could. But the sellers accepted another offer. I was heartbroken—not for me, but for my clients.
Still, I told them what I believe:
“If this home is meant to be yours, it will be.”
The very next day, the listing agent called. The accepted buyers had backed out.
“Do your clients still want the house?” she asked.
Let’s just say… I didn’t hesitate.
We moved quickly and closed at $100,000 over asking—knowing without a doubt this home was meant to be the beginning of their next chapter.
Design Highlights
What We Changed to Create Flow, Comfort, and a True Forever Home
Once we closed, the work began quickly—because the goal wasn’t just to update finishes. It was to create a home that functions beautifully for how my clients live.
Here’s what we focused on:
- A major renovation and addition planned to feel seamless, not pieced together
- A primary suite and primary bath experience designed as a daily retreat
- Layout and function upgrades that support real life: mornings, evenings, hosting, quiet time
- Finishes chosen for longevity and warmth—not trends
Design Philosophy
What We Preserved
Even in a major renovation, I’m always paying attention to what gives a home identity—scale, proportions, and architectural cues that should guide the renovation rather than be erased.
Preservation isn’t about freezing a house in time. It’s about keeping what gives it character—and updating everything else so the home feels effortless to live in.
What We Updated for Modern Living
My clients wanted a home that felt beautiful, but also reliable, comfortable, and easy to maintain. Major renovations should address both the visible upgrades and the practical ones that make daily life better.
- New Windows
- New Siding, Plumbing, and Electrical in the addition
- Refinished Hardwood Flooring Throughout and Added New Flooring in the Addition
- Removed Walls to create beautiful site lines
- Created a Primary Retreat: New Bedroom and Bath with vaulted ceilings, and a closet
Signature Spaces in This Transformation
The Primary Bath: A Daily Retreat
I designed the primary bath to feel like a true retreat—calm, warm, and layered—so it feels like a place you want to start and end the day. The goal was comfort and function, with materials and lighting that feel timeless rather than trendy.
The Kitchen: Built Around My Clients’ Non-Negotiables
The kitchen was a major part of this renovation—and it needed to be designed around how my clients truly live. They came to me with clear absolutes: two sinks, two dishwashers, a large double oven, and serious storage—all while keeping the space bright, warm, and beautifully cohesive with the rest of the home.
The first-floor ceilings were under eight feet, which meant every detail had to be handled with intention. My job was to give them everything they needed functionally—without making the kitchen feel heavy or crowded. We incorporated a Sub-Zero refrigerator and a large 48-inch oven, then designed a fully functional range hood that performs properly but doesn’t overpower the scale of the room.
Most importantly, I wanted the finished kitchen to feel effortless: balanced proportions, natural light, smart storage, and a flow that makes daily life easy—so it looks and feels like it was always meant to be there.
A Home That Feels Cohesive From Room to Room
One of the biggest differences between an “updated home” and a truly finished renovation is cohesion—materials, transitions, lighting, and details that feel consistent throughout the home.
That’s what I aim for in every project: spaces that flow naturally, function beautifully, and feel like they belong together.
Before/After
