I think the design gods are looking out for me (or trying to tell me to stop being so out of my mind). Why? Well, in my pretty ridiculous crisis over potentially having “too much” pink in my new apartment’s living room, this house was pitched to me by, you might have guessed, A 1000 X Better. The pink (as well as all of the colors designer, Elspeth Benoit used) are not only unbelievably happy but SO BEAUTIFUL. It’s an explosion of color but also not. I am in no way overwhelmed and yet happy to be so surrounded by color (ok, I’m technically am not in the space but doing my best to mentally transport or “shift” there. Have any of you heard of this thing the young kids are doing??? A topic for another time). So let’s dive into this absolute master class of designing a home where colors are not simply the decor but all over the walls and floors.
Wall and Bookcase Color | Bookcase Millwork | Rug | Sofa | Chairs | French Doors | Door Color
If you read this blog you likely have a love for charm-drenched homes that don’t need a ton of renovations… but wait, are there people that don’t love those?? Well, when Elspeth and her family moved into this home that’s what they got for the most part. All of that paneling was THERE ALREADY. I know. So to her, this was a blank slate. But to really make it a blank slate she painted the floors white and let it evolve. Here is the before photo:
Is this a beautiful room? Of course. But with the truest power of paint and some upgrades (bifold doors and bookcase built-in), this space looks completely transformed.
I actually think that the white floors and ceiling are what help keep the colors visually less overwhelming… and all the sunlight. Never underestimate natural lighting. That’s why Emily is so obsessed with knowing how the light moves around the farmhouse. She wants to maximize it as much as possible without living in an actual glass house:)
Wall Color | Floor Colors: Dark Green, Light Green | Stained Glass Windows
But then when you head into the dining room, Elspeth totally changes to the color story but still keeps it playful! Again, she uses “lighter” colors on the floor and ceiling but goes moody with the wall color. If you notice, aside from the bathrooms, all of the ceilings are white to help with continuity. That really helps to give the freedom to play with colors while still knowing you are in the same house. Plus it makes the ceilings feel taller. Ideal? Uh… ya.
Now before we move on we NEED to talk about these particular floors and stained glass windows. These modern patterns feel totally fresh and yet classic. I love the understated boldness and life they bring to this room.
Sunrooms are meant to be light and bright and that is exactly what this one is. And with that view… not sure you need much more.
Here’s one more shot before we head into a pretty unbelievable kitchen. Also, note how those VERY cool sconces not only bring in some curves in a room with a lot of straight lines but they also complement the wood tones of the table and chairs. They also just break up the dark walls. Talk about balance!
Ok, now we are actually headed to the kitchen…
Cabinets | Counters (Quartzite countertops: Alexandrita) | Windows | Trim Color | Wall Color | Skylights | Rug
I mean it’s warm, textured, colorful, yet simple. I can’t decide what I love most but I do know that my eyeballs are very happy.
The cabinets are ridiculously good and custom-made by Dakota Witzenburg of ToDoSomething with Querkas oak (vintage oak veneered panels). The movement/natural “imperfections” make them completely timeless and warm. They perfectly contrast the sleek, polished Quartzite countertops (Alexandrita), Carrera marble floors, and modern hardware.
We also need to talk about that blue window trim. They remind me of the ones from Zosia Manet’s cabin (which was my favorite detail in her home). Painting your window trim a “fun color” is such a cool way to add an unexpected moment, some depth and it just looks awesome. A deep blue like this one, Portola Paints “Ghost Tree”, is both bold but still a color you won’t regret in a few years. It’s basically a neutral… but a really pretty one:)
Range | Sink | Faucet | Dishwasher | Wall Color
Well, seeing the stone in its full glory makes me wonder if I like the stone or the cabinets more… but why do I need to choose? I don’t. They are both awesome. And that roman clay wall texture gives even MORE movement. Side note, I really need taco-shaped sconces now.
Moving onto the bedrooms.
I had this idea of doing a “Timeless Wallpaper Patterns” post and if I do end doing it (is that something y’all you want??) this one would be in it. It’s SO special, bold, and is a nice balance of “feminine” and “masculine”.
And as we’ve said before when you install a bold wallpaper pattern, the rest of the room doesn’t need much else.
Wall Color | Scallop Sconce | Rug
This might be my favorite shot in this tour because it so perfectly shows the power of intentional eclecticism. Between the wallpaper (traditional), the rug (boho), the countertop (modern), and the blend of colors, it’s a design lover’s dream. Why I think it works so well is because those three main features (wallpaper, rug, and countertop) are all different pattern scales. Large being the wallpaper, medium being the countertop, and finally the rug as the small. Plus the soft pink walls are 100%.
Custom Vanity | Countertop Stone: Cipollino Ondulato | Pivot Mirror | Faucet
Oh and don’t forget to drool over the custom vanity also by ToDoSomething. So many pretty details.
The thing about designing a colorful yet not too COLORFUL of a home is to know when to pull back. This sweet little twin room still has splashes of color (hello, yellow!) but otherwise, it’s a nice neutral moment full of texture.
Hot Tip: If you have tongue and groove paneling like in this house, you are in visual interest heaven.
Rug (vintage)
What a fun and unexpected rug! I love the contrast with the pink walls.
So yes, bedrooms are a very good place to go more neutral (but cozy). It needs to be your sanctuary. And look, some people are completely unfazed by big bold decor moments in their bedrooms. I equate them to people who can drink coffee moments before bed and still quickly fall asleep. WILD CHILDS! But that’s not what these people were into:)
The deep-toned textiles and accent furniture totally pop off the walls to gentle balance and lead you to THIS BATHROOM!
Wall Color | Vanity | Countertop Stone: Calacatta | Niche Marble: Cipollino Francese | Mirror | Sconce | Windows
Take a deep breath with me and let’s admire this room. Can you handle that marble counter (again by ToDoSomething)??? Or the fact that the drawers are also marble??? This may be the most beautiful saturated color I have seen. Like the kitchen walls, it’s a roman clay finish so it basically feels like you are looking at the ocean with how much movement it’s got going on (in the best way). Also, do you see what’s peeking through the mirror??
Our beloved Zellige tile which Em did a big post about last week. It just looks so good and I think that with the myriad of textures and colors in this home that this tile works beautifully in it. Especially with those skylights! I think it would be impossible to feel like you are on vacation in the bathroom.
Ok, that’s the tour! Hope you feel more empowered to bring color into your home because if these before and afters don’t do it for you I don’t know what will:)
Same bookcase but totally elevated (thicker shelves in a different configuration and new cabinet doors) by ToDoSomething.
Again! The power of literally just paint! Ok and a little stained glass.
A full-on reno that was totally worth it.
A new coat of paint (and some expert styling) is sometimes all a room needs.
I mean there’s no comparison. Pink for the absolute win.
When done right, white walls can really make a room feel A LOT bigger.
A little loft clean up and wallpaper is clearly all that you need:)
So have any of you really “gone for it” in the color department? Do you have any tips of your own? Or are you wanting to try but scared? What is your favorite room in this house? Let’s chat!
Love you, mean it.
Oh and one more thing…It’s for sale! If you are interesting in it here’s the listing
*Design by Elspeth Benoit and Arterberry Cooke
**Photos by Alex Zarour of Virtually Here Studios
***Staging by A 1000 X Better
The post A Master Class In Using Color In Your Home Without it Feeling Like A COLORFUL Home (It’s Not The Decor) appeared first on Emily Henderson.
from Emily Henderson https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/how-to-use-color-in-your-home
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