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Haven: A stately home for a modern family in Collingswood

Steven Piacquadio likes to tell the story of how he had prepared a perfect argument - logical, balanced, full of wisdom - to convince Chris Schwam, then his life partner, now his husband, why they should move with their two children from the Collingswood home they had painstakingly renovated to a sprawling, early-20th-century dwelling just six blocks away.

The master bedroom features a Giancarlo Impiglia art deco print above the bed, one of many artistic pieces in the home.
The master bedroom features a Giancarlo Impiglia art deco print above the bed, one of many artistic pieces in the home.Read moreCHARLES FOX / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Steven Piacquadio likes to tell the story of how he had prepared a perfect argument - logical, balanced, full of wisdom - to convince Chris Schwam, then his life partner, now his husband, why they should move with their two children from the Collingswood home they had painstakingly renovated to a sprawling, early-20th-century dwelling just six blocks away.

"I had rehearsed and rehearsed it, and the day came when I finally got Chris into the house," said Piacquadio, 52, a Realtor with Main Street Realty in Collingswood. "I was about to make my speech, thinking that Chris definitely needed a sales talk."

But before he could say anything, Schwam uttered two words: "I'm sold."

Schwam, 48, a travel agent, saw the same magic Piacquadio had. So the decision to buy the majestic house, angled on a corner and opposite a park, was a mutual one after all. Three years after that conversation and their move, it's clear it was a right choice.

"We love just about everything the house has," says Schwam. His glance takes in the high ceilings and original moldings and oak floors with inlaid borders.

Yes, older houses have charm, and history. This one was built in 1903 by S. Canning Childs, a British native who began his working life as a delivery boy in the wholesale food district of Philadelphia. He went on to become the owner of his own wholesale food store in Camden, one of the creators of Acme Markets, and a philanthropist supporting two local churches.

Today, the house Childs built resonates with the laughter of the couple's son, Nicolas, 11, and daughter, Alexa, 5.

"They have made our lives complete, and like us, they love this house," says Schwam. Turning it into a home for a modern, lively family has been a goal from the start.

A stately foyer provides an impressive entry, with its huge pocket doors and glittering chandeliers that would be really hard to replicate.

A staircase has special meaning because it was the setting for the wedding that officially united the couple in marriage in November 2013, a total surprise to guests who thought they were coming to a housewarming.

The owners' sophisticated taste is evident here. The elegant living room with contemporary furniture and silver-gray walls is accented with touches of periwinkle blue that highlight a beautiful recessed window.

Across the hall is a space with a different vibe: a family room that doubles as kids central, with kickback furniture and walls of periwinkle and tangerine.

The dining room changes the mood again, its anchor a magnificent walnut table surrounded by high-back black chairs. A buffet of burled walnut with a marble top adds to the room's stateliness. It is the site of family events, clearly the kind of place in which memories are made.

Throughout the house, there are reminders of its owners' love of antiques and reminders of their travels, from simple wooden bowls from Africa to a small Mayan statue from Puerto Vallarta, to a Chinese silk-screen print and sterling-silver family heirlooms. A Giancarlo Impiglia art deco print on one room's wall is yet another showstopper.

A kitchen completely renovated by the former owners was a welcome gift. "We did make minor changes, but basically it was wonderful just as it was," Schwam says.

Like most grand old homes, this one has special areas not found in more modern houses. Its expansive second-floor landing, for example, may not be a living space, but it adds enormous grace to the structure.

Lively children mean the house reaches into the future, too.

Nicolas has his own third-floor suite (with bath) that includes a bedroom, a study area, and a space where kids and adults can gather. He has issued rules about access for his little sister, but it's clear that Alexa tends to convince big brother to bend them.

Alexa has a little girl's dream room, a chartreuse and lemon-lime world with bursts of pink and feminine charm at every turn.

The master bedroom has a balcony and furnishings, such as the back wall's armoire, designed with subtle curves. Another Impiglia print with its curvy geometric vibe seems meant for the spot it occupies.

Every last detail has been considered, yet this is still a house where comfort is king, and nothing shouts, "Notice me!"

Events such as the annual art show, book festival, and May Fair provide opportunities for community interaction.

"Right now, this is a perfect place to raise children," says Piacquadio. "We do feel fortunate to be the keepers of such a historic house, and to bring a new generation into it. We hope our kids are already gathering wonderful memories."