Habitat: A Pop of Color in Manayunk

This article highlights the transformation of a classic Georgian-style home in Cherry Creek into a vibrant and elegant space for a young family. The homeowners, Alexis and McAndrew Rudisill, desired a departure from their previous monochromatic New York City residence, seeking a home that was both magical and whimsical while maintaining sophistication. They enlisted Andrea Schumacher, principal of Andrea Schumacher Interiors in Denver, along with senior designer Nikki Cohn, to achieve this vision. The design process began with the family room, where Schumacher proposed using F. Schumacher & Co.'s vibrant Chiang Mai Dragon fabric for the chairs, setting a bold color story for the entire home. This initial design choice became a foundational element, guiding subsequent color selections throughout the residence. The custom swivel chairs in the family room are designed for versatility, allowing occupants to face either the navy sofa or the television. The room's neutral elements, such as the custom gray tufted ottoman, are given a playful touch with a Kelly green contrast welt, demonstrating attention to detail and a commitment to integrating color throughout the space. The subtle peacock blue from the Chiang Mai Dragon print in the family room inspired the dining room's design. Schumacher extended this color, allowing it to play a more prominent role in the dining area. The dining room walls are upholstered in padded blue Brunschwig & Fils embroidered fabric, an application that Alexis Rudisill noted as both classic and fresh, reminiscent of old Park Avenue apartments but with a contemporary, almost beachy feel. The room is anchored by a custom walnut table and features chairs upholstered in lush velvet, complemented by a modern Modo chandelier from Design Within Reach. A painting by Carol Corell, titled “On the Way,” was chosen by the owners to further personalize the space. The kitchen area features fiberglass Dowel Counter Stools from Modernica at the island, chosen for their aesthetic appeal and ease of cleaning. Industrial clear glass pendants add a modern touch to the otherwise traditional kitchen. Adjacent to the kitchen, the breakfast nook is painted in a bold emerald green, specifically Cat's Eye Green by Benjamin Moore. This choice serves as a deliberate "surprise" at the back of the house, fulfilling Alexis's desire for a home with an edgier aesthetic. Upstairs, the master bedroom offers a serene contrast to the more vibrant communal areas. The design for this space was inspired by Alexis's mother's bedroom, incorporating Osborne & Little wallpaper as a foundational element. The master suite features a soft palette of silver and watery aqua, with glamorous touches like nickel nail heads on the custom tufted headboard and antiqued-mirror nightstands. This quieter scheme maintains elegance while complementing the bolder design statements found elsewhere in the home. Andrea Schumacher emphasizes her personal philosophy that "the more, the better" when it comes to color, contrasting with the calmness of neutral designs. She shares practical tips for incorporating color, such as using green due to its versatility as a neutral color, and paying attention to details like extending patterns onto air vents for a seamless look. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of paint sheen, noting that high gloss offers glamour, while lower sheens provide a more traditional appearance. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ColorPalette #CherryCreekHome #AndreaSchumacherInteriors #LuxuryInteriors #FamilyFriendlyDesign #DenverRealEstate

The article details the transformation of a traditional Cape Cod-style Manhattan Beach home, originally characterized by corporate-like colors and commercial carpeting, into a vibrant and personalized space for a young family. Homepolish designer Mandy Cheng was tasked with injecting fun, color, and modernity into the abode while ensuring it retained a timeless appeal that the family could grow into. Her design philosophy centered on utilizing bold accent walls, functional furnishings, and a cohesive color palette throughout the home. Cheng addressed the challenge of an open-concept floor plan by establishing visual cohesion between the family room and kitchen. She achieved this by extending the kitchen's color palette, particularly a dark blue used on the island, to the living area's fireplace. Additionally, dusty orange throw pillows in the living room echoed the leather barstools in the kitchen, creating a subtle yet effective link between the spaces. The dining room's design was initiated by a small turquoise print, which inspired a bold application of Benjamin Moore’s Sherwood Forest on the walls, transforming a naturally darker, central room into a striking focal point. Large-scale art and light window treatments were introduced to balance the dark walls. For the boys' bedroom, Cheng introduced accent walls as a test for her clients' willingness to embrace bold design choices. Instead of wallpaper, she used Benjamin Moore’s Blue Macaw and Bluebelle paints, meticulously applying celestial-inspired decals. This approach not only showcased the impact of an accent wall but also resonated with the client’s profession in aeronautics, making space a central theme. The success of this room paved the way for more adventurous choices in other areas. In the nursery, Cheng fully embraced wallpaper, opting for a pink elephant print on two adjacent walls. To manage the budget and create visual contrast, the remaining two walls were painted a soft blue. This strategic application ensured that the most visible walls featured the decorative element, maximizing its impact. The master bedroom was designed as a serene retreat, incorporating a Japanese woven silk wallpaper for the headboard wall, complemented by greenery and sheepskin rugs. Floating shelves were chosen over traditional artwork to allow for easy display and rotation of personal items. Cheng emphasized the natural beauty of mixed wood tones, using brass brackets and wood planks, adhering to the principle that different wood colors can coexist harmoniously if their tones are consistent. An unexpected design challenge arose with the formal living room's vintage spindle back chairs. An order mix-up resulted in chairs with an incorrect stain color and seat cushion. Cheng resolved this by having the chairs bleached by a wood finisher, ultimately achieving the desired aesthetic. The room was further personalized with a six-foot-tall print by photographer Toby Cheng. Finally, in the kids' bathroom, the design prioritized fun and budget-friendliness. A bold floor tile was selected for the small area, complemented by standard wall tiles, demonstrating how a striking design can be achieved without excessive cost, especially in less-frequented areas like children’s bathrooms. #ManhattanBeachHome #InteriorDesign #AccentWalls #ColorPalette #HomeRenovation #FamilyHome #DesignInspiration #MandyCheng #Homepolish

The article, "Life in Bold Color," explores the profound impact of color on human psychology and physiology within home design. It emphasizes that while neutrals are often a safe choice, a reluctance to use bolder hues can lead to uninspired spaces. To showcase the transformative power of color, Midwest Home and ASID MN collaborated on a "Life in Bold Color" competition, sponsored by Hirshfield’s, inviting interior designers to present their most vibrant projects. The article highlights that interior designers, possessing a deep understanding of color theory, are adept at utilizing color to establish specific moods and achieve client objectives. It delves into the psychological associations of various colors: red, a warm and stimulating color, signifies passion and strength, and was incorporated into several winning projects to create dynamic spaces like a red bathroom. Yellow, another warm hue, evokes feelings of happiness and optimism, making it suitable for infusing cheer into areas such as a pantry adjacent to a blue and white kitchen, as demonstrated by Martha O’Hara Interiors. Blue, known for its tranquil and soothing properties, is frequently chosen for bedrooms, with winning designs integrating various shades of blue balanced with warm accents to create restful yet sophisticated environments. Green, a color associated with nature, generally leans towards cooler tones, although its versatility allows for warmer variations like chartreuse when mixed with yellow. Examples include kitchen cabinets that stand out and an apple-green chair in a Pure Design Environments project. The competition's judging criteria focused on how effectively design solutions met project goals, the innovative and creative application of color, and the designers' mastery of color theory and psychology. The article then presents several winning projects. Brooke Voss Design’s project, "Keen on Color," addressed clients' desire for a vibrant, fun space by using chartreuse, bright blue, and teal, balanced with neutral whites, honed blacks, and natural wood. This approach created a cheerful yet sophisticated atmosphere, notably in the kitchen cabinetry. Orfield Design & Construction, Inc.'s "Good Energy" project transformed an empty-nester couple's midcentury modern rambler bathroom into a fun and functional guest space. The design utilized Sherwin Williams' “Red Alert” on the walls, complemented by colorful mosaic tiles and balanced with Carrera marble countertops and wood-plank floor tiles. Martha O’Hara Interiors' "Sunny Farmhouse" integrated the homeowner’s earthy style with bold colors in a new North Dakota farmhouse. The white kitchen with a blue island and blue wallpaper was enlivened by a sunny yellow pantry, praised by jurors for its restrained yet impactful use of bold color. The same firm's "Boho Bedroom" project updated a 1913 Victorian master bedroom with deep turquoise, pinks, and eclectic patterns and textures, creating a vibrant, unforced Bohemian aesthetic. LiLu Interiors' "Pattern Play" project transformed a NE Minneapolis master suite, drawing inspiration from the homeowner’s distinctive style and vintage collection. The designers skillfully balanced finishes, patterns, textures, and bold colors, featuring cool blues with warm coral accents. Finally, Pure Design Environments' "Living Color Condo" combined two condominiums into a linear space. Facing challenges with natural light in areas like the spa room and closet, the designer used luxurious finishes and an interplay of light and color to create sophisticated, yet complementary and engaging, spaces. The article concludes by listing the jury members for the 2017 competition: Caren Martin, Ph.D., Patricia Undlin, ASID, and Chris Lee. #HomeDesign #ColorTheory #InteriorDesign #BoldColors #DesignCompetition #BrookeVossDesign #MarthaOHaraInteriors #ASIDMN #HomeDecoration

The article highlights the emerging trend of "Mango," a vibrant yellow-orange shade, as a prominent color for fall interior design, moving away from traditional warm browns and darker tones typically associated with the season. This bold hue, described as juicy, saturated, and possessing dark undertones with a warm, enveloping feel, is increasingly appearing in new design collections, including Ruggable's latest Iris Apfel rug range and Rose Uniacke's new saffron-yellow paint shade, 'Buttercup.' The popularity of Mango is attributed to its ability to bring warmth and coziness to spaces during the cooler autumn months, effectively counterbalancing the shorter, darker days. Interior designer Rose Uniacke emphasizes that this vivid saffron yellow evokes the feeling of sunshine, contributing to a lively atmosphere. The color also aligns with the recent revival of vintage-inspired paint colors and 1970s decor, tapping into a sense of nostalgia. For incorporating this Mango shade into home interiors, the article suggests several approaches. As yellow is intrinsically a happy and primary color, it is considered a timeless choice. Cassandra Leisz, Ruggable's senior creative director, notes that yellow shades introduce an uplifting and cheerful mood, infusing living rooms with warmth, energy, and optimism, making them vibrant and welcoming. The color is also associated with creativity, encouraging social interaction and relaxation, ideal for fall hosting. The versatility of yellow allows it to pair well with various other colors. The article recommends using the "double-drenching" technique, combining Mango with softer pastel yellows like butter or with an accent color such as a daring deep cherry red. In terms of design styles, Mango complements an eclectic aesthetic, encouraging the mixing of bold patterns, textures, and statement pieces. For a less dramatic approach, small pops of Mango through items like curtains or colorful rugs can instantly warm up a room. Alternatively, accent colors that complement a yellow palette, such as oranges, purples, and greens, can be incorporated in pillows and decor, grounded by natural elements like wood and linen. The article also features specific product recommendations for integrating the Mango trend, including paint shades like Grafclean in Buttercup from Rose Uniacke, Buttercup from Benjamin Moore, and "Color of the Year - Yellow-Orange Rubberband" from Backdrop. Decor items highlighted include a Gingham Curtain in Honey from Anthropologie, a Better Homes and Gardens Yellow Sunny Pillow available at Walmart, and a Juneau Frame in Ochre from Williams Sonoma, providing tangible ways for readers to embrace this cheerful and stylish fall color trend. #MangoColorTrend #FallDecor #InteriorDesignTrends #Ruggable #YellowInteriors #HomeDecor #ColorPsychology #EclecticStyle #PaintColors

The world is home to an incredible array of diverse buildings, with some standing out for their vibrant hues. This article explores 38 of the most colourful homes across the globe, showcasing how cultural, architectural, and social circumstances contribute to their striking appearances. From candy-striped huts in Portugal to hillside neighbourhoods in Mexico transformed with murals, these properties demonstrate that personality can be expressed boldly on the exterior of a home, not just within its interiors. Key examples include Zhengbin Fishing Port in Keelung, Taiwan, where 16 vibrantly-hued houses line the river bank, and Rainbow Row in Oklahoma City, USA, featuring six three-storey, candy-coloured homes designed by architect Sam Day. Indonesia's Kalisari Rainbow Village, or Kampung Pelangi, received a government-funded glow-up in 2017 to attract tourists, transforming buildings and bridges into multi-coloured murals. In New York, USA, artist Katwise and her partner transformed a rundown farm into a psychedelic wonderland with every colour imaginable, funding their renovations by making patchwork coats from old sweaters. The Bo-Kaap neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa, is known for its brightly painted houses, a tradition that began when freed enslaved people painted their homes in celebration after being allowed to purchase them. Jodhpur, India, is nicknamed the 'Blue City' due to its many blue homes, a colour believed to help keep interiors cool and deter termites. Italy’s Cinque Terre region features vividly decorated houses cascading down steep hillsides, where fishermen reportedly painted their homes in bright tones to spot them from sea. Las Palmitas in Pachuca, Mexico, saw a community project by the 'German Crew' transform a downtrodden area into a living art mural with rainbow-hued homes. Yves Saint Laurent’s Villa Oasis in Marrakesh, Morocco, is a vivid celebration of colour, Art Deco, and Moorish design. Poznań, Poland’s Old Market Square boasts Renaissance-style merchant houses, each unique with mismatched colours and patterns, rebuilt after World War II. Venezuela features old, traditional houses resembling abstract paintings, with strong colour pairings and bold lines. In Pattaya, Thailand, the Xanadu Beach Resort showcases elaborately painted accommodations. Burano, Italy, one of Venice's islands, is known for its rainbow-painted homes, a tradition thought to help fishermen locate their houses in the fog. Valparaíso, Chile, has houses painted with leftover ship paints, creating a vibrant, colourful town. Vienna, Austria, features the Hundertwasserhaus, an unusual apartment building designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, with an art-like quality and colourful exterior. Portland, Oregon’s Nob Hill neighbourhood is filled with historic Victorian and Craftsman homes painted in pretty hues. Singapore's Little India district is home to many bold structures, including a multicoloured, century-old Chinese villa. Ilulissat, Greenland, features brightly painted buildings where colours historically indicated function, and now serve as decoration. Guatapé, Colombia, is dubbed the world's most colourful town, with everything from doorways to balconies painted in eye-catching colours. London’s Primrose Hill and Notting Hill boast pastel-hued and brightly coloured terraced houses, respectively, with trends starting in the 1960s. Muizenberg, South Africa, has colourful bathing boxes along its beach. Caminito in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a street museum revitalized by artist Benito Quinquela Martín, featuring brightly hued houses. Varanasi, India, has chaotically structured, radiant houses on the Ganges, with colours reflecting Hindu symbolism. Tenerife, Spain, shows coastal houses painted in bold colours, likely to help fishermen see them from afar. Bristol, UK, is known for its vibrant buildings, with theories ranging from sailors' navigation aids to a mayor's influence. Innsbruck, Austria, features buildings painted in every imaginable shade against its mountain scenery. Stockholm, Sweden’s Stortorget public square showcases Renaissance-style buildings with uniquely painted façades. Getsemani in Cartagena, Colombia, highlights colourful colonial homes, reflecting its diverse cultural history. Diessenhofen, Switzerland, has adorable painted houses in its main street, thought to welcome visitors. Stykkisholmur, Iceland, and St. John's, Canada, feature unique, bright structures, with traditions rooted in individual expression and making homes visible in fog, respectively. Lüderitz, Namibia, displays colourful Art Nouveau buildings in a Bavarian style, a relic of its German colonial past. Finally, Istanbul, Turkey’s Balat district is recognized for its vibrant, historic wooden homes, and Costa Nova, Portugal, is famous for its candy-striped huts, originally built to shelter fishermen and later painted to attract tourists. #ColorfulHomes #Architecture #GlobalDesign #HomeExterior #TravelInspiration #CulturalHeritage #UrbanArt #VibrantCities #CoastalHomes

The article showcases Liz Tew's favorite room, highlighting her approach to creating a relaxing and inviting living space. The design centers on a serene color palette, utilizing Benjamin Moore's Pale Oak for the walls, which sets a calming foundation for the room's aesthetic. This choice of wall color contributes significantly to the overall tranquil ambiance of the living area. Several key design elements are incorporated to enhance the room's visual appeal and comfort. Woven raffia wall hangings are prominently featured, adding texture and a natural, organic touch to the space. These hangings are noted as a growing trend in home decor, indicating a contemporary design sensibility. The integration of art pieces is another significant aspect of the room's design, with a collection from artists Annie Howell, Katie Hinshelwood, Grace Pouch, and Whitney Stoddard creating a cohesive and visually stimulating grouping. This curated selection of art reflects a thoughtful approach to personalizing the space. Natural elements are strategically used to introduce warmth and visual interest. A wooden circular mirror serves as a natural texture element, providing a contrast to the cooler tones in the room and adding a sense of organic elegance. Furthermore, a tall fiddle leaf fig tree is positioned in a corner, adding height and bringing a touch of nature indoors, which contributes to the room's freshness and vitality. Textiles play a crucial role in enhancing the comfort and style of the living space. The couch features throw pillows by artist Laura Park, which introduce patterns and colors that complement the overall design. These pillows are paired with thick banded curtains, creating a harmonious and polished look. The attention to detail extends to smaller accents, such as a beaded decoration on a vintage door knob, illustrating how minor elements can contribute to the room's character and charm. A particularly notable art piece in the room is "ÒLarry LlamaÓ" by local artist Marian Pouch. This painting not only serves as a focal point but also connects the interior space to the local art scene, as a larger version of the piece adorns the Camperdown Plaza in downtown Greenville. This inclusion underscores a blend of personal taste with an appreciation for local culture. Overall, Liz Tew's favorite room is characterized by a carefully balanced combination of calming colors, natural textures, curated art, and thoughtful decorative details. The design emphasizes creating an inviting and aesthetically pleasing environment through a harmonious selection of furnishings and decor, reflecting a contemporary yet timeless approach to interior design. #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #LivingRoom #PaintColors #HomeStyling #ArtCollection #NaturalElements #TextileDesign #GreenvilleHomes

Living walls are emerging as a prominent trend in urban Honolulu, bringing lush greenery to various spaces. These vertical gardens, a hybrid art form, are primarily attributed to 1st Look Exteriors, a family business with over 12 years of experience in this specialized field. Greg Lee, with a background in landscape architecture and plant nursery expertise, leads the company alongside his wife and business partner, Terri Rios-Lee. They emphasize the complexity involved in creating and maintaining these structures, highlighting that going vertical introduces unique challenges not found in traditional landscaping. Their work involves continuous experimentation with plant varieties, watering systems, and design adaptations, as there is no established manual for vertical gardening of this scale. The state's largest living wall, located at Ward Village, exemplifies the intricate nature of these projects. This particular installation required four years of planning and approximately two weeks for physical setup. It features an impressive array of about 10,000 tropical plants, including bromeliads, syngonium, and various ferns, elegantly arranged on the Anaha condo wall. The watering system is discreetly integrated, ensuring the plants remain hydrated. Beyond Ward Village, 1st Look Exteriors has contributed living walls to several other notable locations across Honolulu, such as the Tommy Bahama Waikīkī restaurant, South Shore Market at Ward, the exterior of Whole Foods Kailua, and two installations at the Pacific Guardian Center’s downtown office complex. These projects range in scale and cost, from smaller residential installations costing hundreds of dollars to large commercial ventures costing thousands. Despite the investment, clients like Howard Hughes Corp. see significant value in these living art designs. Todd Apo, vice president of community relations for Howard Hughes Corp., notes that living walls are a strategic way to introduce nature into urban environments that often lack ample green space. He states that these walls help bring nature to street level, enhancing the aesthetic and potentially the environmental quality of the urban core. The Lees' work is characterized by a deep passion for their craft and a continuous learning process. They often face unexpected issues, such as a client turning off an irrigation system during a rainy period, which led to the demise of vertical wall plants despite the survival of surrounding landscaping. They also highlight the unique advantage of Hawai‘i’s diverse plant palette, which allows them to create vibrant and varied living walls that might not be possible elsewhere. The design considerations extend to color schemes, with doctors' offices often preferring soothing green tones, while other businesses opt for more vibrant colors, such as plants with pink leaves. Terri Rios-Lee stresses the importance of these living spaces in creating healthy and stimulating environments for people. The evolution of their work involves adapting plant selections based on the specific environmental conditions of each location. This adaptive approach ensures the longevity and vitality of the living walls. Their innovative solutions and dedication have transformed vertical gardening into a sophisticated art form that not only beautifies urban spaces but also contributes to a sense of natural tranquility and health. The article underscores the Lees' significant contribution to Honolulu's urban landscape through their pioneering efforts in vertical gardening, showcasing the blend of horticultural expertise, architectural understanding, and artistic vision required for such projects. #LivingWalls #UrbanGreening #LandscapeArchitecture #VerticalGardens #HonoluluDesign #TropicalPlants #SustainableDesign #EnvironmentalArt

This article explores how a Pasadena couple, Jon Leaver and Tyke O’Brien, successfully incorporated bold and daring color palettes into their 1940s bungalow. As teachers and interior designers, they believe that taking risks with color is more rewarding than choosing safe, uninspired options. Their approach is exemplified by their kitchen, which features electric blue and gray hexagonal tiles, charcoal gray cabinets, and matching walls. To balance these vibrant elements, they intentionally kept most walls in other areas of the house, such as the living room, a pale gray or white, recognizing that a neutral backdrop allows colors to pop effectively. They also acknowledge that experimentation might lead to errors, advocating for the flexibility to repaint and correct design choices. The living room showcases a dominant teal hue, with charcoal adding depth to the fireplace. Hot yellow curtains complement the rug, which features similar yellow patches, and enhance the gold leafing around the fireplace. The article highlights that hot yellow and dark teal are complementary colors, creating a harmonious yet vibrant effect. A cool gray paint with a touch of blue is used as a neutral backdrop in the living room, providing a crisp base for the bolder yellow accents. Chairs are affordably updated with bright Ikea curtain fabric. A multi-color rug serves as a mixer, tying together various elements and introducing new shades to the space. Gold leaf on the fireplace brick adds glitz, making the color scheme more dynamic. In the kitchen, the couple transformed unremarkable wood cabinets by painting them charcoal and adding black hardware. By extending the charcoal color to the wall and window trim, they drew attention to the statement floor tile. Charcoal is presented as a versatile neutral that pairs well with both warm and cool tones. The flooring features hexagonal tiles in two shades of gray, which relate to the wall color, and electric blues that provide a striking contrast. Butcher block countertops introduce natural warmth, softening the modern tile and dark cabinetry. Unexpected art placement, such as on the kitchen island, adds playful color dashes. Small doses of orange in serving ware and lush greenery from houseplants are used to break up the blue/gray palette in the dining area. The dining room itself adopts a largely white palette to balance the intensity of the adjacent kitchen. Wood grain from a teak table and butcher block countertops unifies the two spaces. In this predominantly white dining room, cherry-red trim on dishes and coordinated linens provide small, cheerful pops of color. For the master bedroom, a Vivienne Westwood tartan wallpaper from Cole & Son is used on an accent wall behind the bed, eliminating the need for a headboard. The rest of the room is kept white and gray, with neutral bedding to prevent visual clutter. Finally, the front door features graphic shapes, a result of a student’s artistic interpretation, which nods to the home's midcentury architectural style. Family snapshots are creatively displayed using neon rice paper tape, adding more colorful and personal touches throughout the home. #BoldColor #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #PasadenaBungalow #ColorPalette #AccentWalls #DIYDecor #KitchenDesign #LivingRoomDesign

A 1920s bungalow in Sydney’s southeast underwent a significant transformation, evolving from a subdued, white-on-white aesthetic into a vibrant and highly functional family home. The renovation, spanning 18 months for the main house and an additional year for the backyard pool and dwelling, was spearheaded by interior designer Gemma Gillett of Studio Gemma, with Bianca and Josh Orr as the homeowners. The couple, with two young children, Alfie and Zoe, and three French bulldogs, aimed for a design that prioritised personality, storage, and family-focused functionality. The initial design challenge involved moving from Bianca’s original preference for an all-white interior to embracing a bolder color palette. This shift is evident from the exterior, where the house is painted in Dulux Black Caviar with a glossy Wattyl Charmed Forest front door, chosen for ease of maintenance under a flight path. Throughout the home, custom joinery by Studio Gemma and East 2 East Joinery plays a crucial role, providing extensive storage solutions and a tailored aesthetic. This was a deliberate choice to accommodate the needs of a growing family, ensuring that clutter could be managed effectively. The renovation strategically retained a traditional character in the front section of the house, which houses the four bedrooms and two bathrooms. This area features hand-poured plaster cornices, detailed timber window frames, and Shaker-style cabinetry, all designed to appear original to the 1920s bungalow. Each bedroom is equipped with custom joinery, contributing to the home's integrated storage philosophy. The color-blocked bedrooms create a cozy atmosphere, with one bedroom featuring Dulux Remote Control on the walls for a serene feel, and Zoe's room in Dulux Warm Neutral, accented with Beata Heuman bow handles and a yellow 'Aalto Chair 69'. Moving towards the rear, the home transitions into a modern, open-plan extension encompassing the kitchen, living, and dining areas. This section is characterized by a soaring pitched roof and expansive glass sliding doors that fill the space with natural light. While white walls dominate here, rich timber accents, a microcement-finished curved fireplace, and a sage green kitchen with subtle organic patterns introduce depth and texture. The kitchen's island, for example, features an oak veneer sprayed with color, allowing the wood grain to show through and add warmth. Calacatta Monet marble benchtops and Porter’s Paints Olive Grove cabinetry further enhance the kitchen’s sophisticated appeal. The living area includes thoughtful details like a built-in walnut drinks cabinet, which opens to reveal a Calacatta Monet marble interior and Dulux Rusted Crimson accents, and a window-seat with hidden storage, designed to keep toys and clutter out of sight. The back of the property is designed for entertaining, transforming the old yoga studio and leather workshop into a cabana with an outdoor kitchen, a hotel-style bar overlooking the pool, a European laundry, and an emerald-green powder room. The converted studio above serves as a guest retreat. Environmental considerations were also integrated into the design, with windows positioned for cross-ventilation, concrete flooring for thermal mass, and solar power for renewable energy. The outdoor areas feature a pool with a metal fence in Dulux Deep Brunswick Green, chosen for practicality over glass, and an outdoor shower with checkerboard tiles by the back door. The overall design embraces a blend of colors, eras, and styles, reflecting a courageous approach to decision-making during the renovation process. The homeowners, Bianca and Josh, credit Gemma Gillett for guiding them through the transformation, resulting in a meticulously shaped home that functions as both a sanctuary and a vibrant space for entertaining. #BungalowRenovation #ColorfulInteriors #FamilyHomeDesign #CustomJoinery #ModernExtension #SydneyHomes #InteriorDesign #OutdoorEntertaining #SustainableDesign

The article delves into the transformation of an open-concept living room, often perceived as bland and devoid of personality, into a vibrant and inviting space, drawing inspiration from actor Sir Anthony Hopkins's home. It challenges the conventional aversion to open-plan layouts by showcasing how thoughtful design choices can elevate such spaces. Traditionally, open-concept living rooms are criticized for their beige aesthetics and lack of character, frequently furnished minimally, leading to an empty, soulless feel. However, Sir Anthony Hopkins's residence, as revealed in one of his Instagram videos, presents a compelling counter-example. While his living room features modern wooden floors and white walls, typical of many open-plan designs, it distinctly avoids monotony through strategic use of color and personal touches. Key to this transformation is the actor's incorporation of bright, colorful paintings, many of which are his own original artworks, adorning the walls. These pieces infuse the space with warmth and personality, transforming it into a biographical reflection of its inhabitant. The article emphasizes that design choices that tell a story about the people living in the home invariably foster a welcoming atmosphere. The flamboyant swirls and vibrant hues of his art celebrate creativity and individuality, proving that an open layout can indeed feel deeply personal. Furthermore, Sir Anthony employs several design techniques to enhance the space's appeal. He adds height and visual interest by placing a sideboard stacked with orchids next to his white sofa. This not only introduces natural elements but also breaks up the linearity often found in open layouts. The unexpected red theory is also highlighted as a crucial element in his design strategy. Bright red chairs in the background provide a striking contrast against the white walls and wooden floors, creating visual focal points without overwhelming the space. The deliberate interplay of unexpected pops of color with an otherwise minimalist base, such as the white sofa with red accents, is presented as a sophisticated approach to open-concept design. The article also suggests practical ways for readers to emulate this style, offering product recommendations like a versatile loveseat, a ribbed knit throw blanket for texture and color, and a rechargeable bobbin lamp for stylistic versatility. These suggestions underscore how small decor items and strategic color choices can significantly impact the overall ambiance of an open-plan room. The careful play with height, exemplified by the sideboard and planter of orchids, ensures that these color accents remain subtle yet impactful, contributing to an ultra-stylish design. Ultimately, Sir Anthony Hopkins's living room serves as a powerful illustration that open-plan designs are not inherently flawed. Instead, their success hinges on personal expression, thoughtful color application, and an artful blend of elements that challenge preconceived notions about interior aesthetics. The space demonstrates that when imbued with personality and strategic design, an open-concept living room can evolve from a perceived drawback into a cozy, jewel-like haven. #OpenConceptLiving #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ColorPops #PersonalizedSpaces #AnthonyHopkinsHome #ArtisticDecor #RedAccents #CozyInteriors

This blog post explores the concept of urban eclectic decor, highlighting its key characteristics and offering various examples of furniture and accessories that embody this style. Urban chic is described as a design aesthetic that doesn't require living in a downtown loft but instead focuses on multifunctional furniture, diverse textures, and smaller profiles. The style embraces a mix of old and new, industrial and comfortable, allowing for creative expression and personalization. It encourages blending materials, colors, and design periods to create a unique and lived-in feel. The article showcases several pieces from different retailers that exemplify urban eclectic design. From Art Van Furniture, the Loft II dining table, crafted from solid acacia hardwood with a recycled cast iron base, is presented as an example of multifunctional urban furniture. The 9-drawer Elliott Chest, also from Art Van, is noted for its multicolored mango finish and varied drawer shapes, colors, and textures, emphasizing the style's diverse nature. Art Van's Townsend Queen Bed, with its vintage mahogany finish, is also featured, with a buyer stating that urban decor “really has no rules.” Light fixtures are shown to be both functional and stylish, with examples like the Aspen Chandelier, featuring filament bulbs and a rope-wrapped base, and the industrial-vibe Sputnik Large Chandelier. West Elm contributes to the examples with its Box Frame Counter Marble Table, characterized by a burnished bronze-finished steel frame. The popular industrial storage glass-topped coffee table from West Elm, made of mango wood, offers open shelving and drawers for practical storage. Another West Elm item, the Industrial Bed, is highlighted for its solid wood construction, hand-planed distressed look, and iron base, combining rustic and refined elements. The Industrial Rolling Bar Cart, with its acid-washed, sandblasted metal and electroplating finish, provides a vintage appearance and ample storage, showcasing the fusion of industrial aesthetics with functionality. La-Z-Boy's Urban Attitudes Collection, introduced in 2013, is also featured, emphasizing cleaner lines and smaller profiles in its sofas, love seats, and chairs. The collection includes the customizable Structure sofa, notable for its “party arm” for extra seating, and the Gridiron Stationary Chair, available in numerous fabric options. The Uptown style, also part of this collection, further illustrates La-Z-Boy's take on urban design. The article also touches upon textile influences, presenting Alhambra's Urban Chic textile collection, which draws inspiration from the architectural elements of major cities like New York and Tokyo. This collection offers three color schemes that blend urban tones with metallic touches and vibrant colors. Accessories that complement this style include Nate Berkus's metal Inlay Tray from Target, Target's Angled Metal Mirror in black and gold, and the Threshold rose-gold dipped cement table lamp, all demonstrating the incorporation of diverse materials and finishes. Overall, the blog post illustrates that urban eclectic decor is about thoughtfully blending various design elements to create a distinctive, functional, and personal living space. #UrbanEclecticDecor #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #MultifunctionalFurniture #IndustrialDesign #ContemporaryStyle #DesignTrends #Furniture #HomeAccessories

Homepolish designer Mandy Cheng transformed a traditional, corporate-feeling Cape Cod-style house in Manhattan Beach, California, into a vibrant and modern home for a young family with two children. The initial state of the house was characterized by 'office colors' and commercial carpeting, which did not align with the clients' lively personalities. Cheng's design philosophy centered on injecting color, print, and mixed wood finishes to create a timeless yet contemporary aesthetic that the family could evolve with. One of the primary design challenges was achieving cohesion in the open-concept living spaces, particularly between the family room and the kitchen. Cheng addressed this by employing a consistent color palette across both areas. For instance, the dark blue used on the kitchen island was extended to the fireplace in the living room, and dusty orange throw pillows in the living room echoed the leather barstools in the kitchen, effectively tying the spaces together. The dining room provided an opportunity for a bold statement. Inspired by a small turquoise print, Cheng opted to paint the walls in Benjamin Moore’s Sherwood Forest, creating a dramatic and eye-catching effect. This choice aimed to counteract the room's inherently darker orientation within the house and infuse it with a distinct personality. Large-scale artwork and light window treatments were incorporated to balance the bold wall color and introduce a sense of airiness. In the children's bedrooms, Cheng experimented with accent walls as a means of pushing design boundaries with her clients. For the boys' room, instead of immediate wallpaper, she used Benjamin Moore’s Blue Macaw and Bluebelle paints, meticulously applying celestial-inspired decals. This approach served as a temporary solution to demonstrate the potential impact of accent walls, particularly relevant to the wife's profession in aeronautics. The nursery featured a combination of wallpaper and paint to manage the budget and create visual contrast; a pink elephant print wallpaper was used on two visible walls, while the remaining walls were painted in a soft blue. This strategic application maximized visual impact without overspending. The master bedroom was designed as a tranquil retreat. Cheng incorporated Japanese woven silk wallpaper, lush greenery, and sheepskin rugs to foster a serene atmosphere. Floating shelves were chosen over traditional gallery walls, allowing the family to display personal items and easily update family photos. The designer emphasized the use of mixed wood finishes, explaining that varying wood tones, as long as they share a similar base tone, emulate natural environments and add texture to a space. Brass brackets and wood planks on the shelves further enhanced this design element. A particular challenge arose with the vintage spindle-back chairs for the formal living room when an order went wrong, resulting in an incorrect stain color and seat cushion. Cheng resolved this by having a wood finisher bleach the chairs repeatedly until they matched the desired aesthetic, highlighting her adaptability in unforeseen circumstances. The room was completed with a significant print by her brother, photographer Toby Cheng. Finally, for the kids' bathroom, Cheng prioritized a fun yet budget-friendly design. She opted for bold floor tiles in a small area and used standard wall tiles, demonstrating that impactful design can be achieved without excessive spending, especially in less-frequented spaces. The overall project showcases Cheng's ability to transform a dated house into a vibrant, personalized home through thoughtful color coordination, strategic use of accents, and innovative problem-solving. #ManhattanBeachHome #HomePolishDesign #AccentWalls #ColorPalette #OpenConceptLiving #ChildrensRooms #MasterBedroomDesign #MixedWoods #CustomFurniture

This article highlights the design of the 'Greige House', a 1,650-square-foot apartment in Nashik, meticulously crafted by architects Sagar and Saniya Lohar of LADLAB for a small family. The design ethos centers on creating a sophisticated sanctuary that prioritizes comfort and spaciousness while eschewing fleeting market trends. The home is situated in a tranquil lane, offering a quiet retreat despite its proximity to a vibrant area filled with cafes, theaters, and shopping complexes. A key element of the home's design is its refined palette, which includes butter-finished grey tiles at the entrance and a broader use of soothing tones like beige, oyster, and pale grey, accented with hints of green. This color scheme, combined with natural materials such as sandstone, natural stones, and teak, contributes to a soft, cocoon-like atmosphere, enhancing the natural and ambient light within the space. Matte black and graphite accents are strategically incorporated through elements like door handles, console knobs, mirror frames, and joinery, providing precise contrast and modern sophistication. The initial layout of the apartment presented a challenge with four small bedrooms and four balconies. Architects Sagar and Saniya Lohar undertook a significant replanning effort to optimize the living space. One bedroom was repurposed to create larger bedrooms and a more expansive dining area. The smaller balconies were enclosed and cleverly converted into full-length wardrobes, contributing to an airy feel in the bedrooms and maximizing storage efficiency. This thoughtful re-configuration reflects a deep understanding of the family’s need for functional yet aesthetically pleasing spaces. Central to the home's flow and family-oriented design is the living area, which acts as a hub connecting the kitchen, dining space, primary bedroom, children's bedroom, and guest bedroom. This arrangement facilitates an open and interactive living environment. The primary bedroom was particularly transformed into a suite that offers views of a garden and features a swing, achieved by removing a dividing wall to integrate it with the adjacent terrace. This connection fosters a seamless indoor-outdoor experience, catering to the family's appreciation for nature and well-ventilated spaces. Passages and windows were intentionally widened throughout the home to further promote cross-ventilation and natural light. The kitchen and dining areas are designed to accommodate the family's love for entertaining. The kitchen features dusty pink shutters and small, grey-blue dado tiles, adding a touch of color as per the client's request. The dining area, an extension of the living space, maintains the 'greige' color scheme, incorporating a custom round marble-topped table with a fluted base, olive green dining chairs, and a grey-tinted beveled mirror, all contributing to a warm and inviting ambiance. Bedrooms are characterized by a homogeneous aesthetic, utilizing handless storage, monochromatic palettes, concealed bulky details like AC grills, floating beds, and light sheers to maintain a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout the home. The overall design of Greige House successfully embodies sanctuary, quietude, and sophistication, aligning with the innate qualities of a comfortable and elegant home. #IndianHomes #NashikHomes #Maharashtra #InteriorDesign #MinimalistHomes #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalDesign #GreigePalette

This article details the design and aesthetic of a newly built modern homestead in regional New South Wales, crafted by interior design studio Arent&Pyke; and landscaper Paul Bangay. The home, intended as a weekender and holiday retreat for an extended family, was designed to evoke a different mood from the owners' contemporary Sydney residence, emphasizing a sense of unhurried country living. The building's traditional homestead-style lines, wide verandahs, and placement on a slight rise overlooking a lake give it a timeless appearance despite its new construction. The design process involved a close collaboration between the owners and designers, allowing for increasingly bold and imaginative schemes as the project progressed. This collaboration led to a departure from initial plans, such as the kitchen's color scheme, which was originally intended to be white but evolved into a greeny-black hue using Dulux 'Briar' paint for the cabinetry. The interior design prioritizes comfort and sophistication, accommodating frequent guests with generous proportions and thoughtful layouts. The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom home features a linear layout surrounded by verandahs, with most spaces on a single level, except for an elevated section housing two additional bedrooms. This expansive design, spanning over 15 hectares with no visible neighbors, offers a profound sense of peace and connection to nature. Despite the open layout, the interior design aimed to create a feeling of "cocooning" indoors, acknowledging the region's harsher and colder climate. While French doors in each room provide access to the verandahs, the emphasis was on establishing a distinct indoor-outdoor relationship through visual connections to the garden from every vantage point. A key aspect of the interior styling is the blend of old and new elements, creating an accumulated-over-time aesthetic. Iconic pieces like the Ercol 'Easy' chairs are mixed with vintage finds from auction houses and bespoke contemporary furnishings. This eclectic approach, according to Sarah-Jane Pyke, prevents the interior from feeling too "stitched up and perfect," allowing for flexibility and future additions. Art collection, a long-standing passion for the owners, plays a significant role in defining the spaces, with pieces like Lucy Culliton's "Tristan Honey and Denise" in the entry and a substantial Ben Quilty work in the dining room, for which a custom wall was built. The master bedroom suite exemplifies the bold use of color, driven by the selection of de Gournay 'L’Eden' wallpaper as a starting point. A deep blue from the wallpaper's palette was chosen for the room's remaining walls, creating a dramatic yet calming atmosphere. The suite also includes a cozy sitting area, a stone fireplace, and a bathtub set into a bay window, highlighting the luxury of leisure time in the country setting. Playful elements, such as tartan and checkerboard tiling in the bathrooms, add a unique spin on classic country tropes, reinforcing the home's joyful spirit and fulfilling the owner's request for a timeless country home that beautifully integrates sunlight and landscape views. Overall, the project successfully merges traditional homestead architecture with contemporary interior design principles, resulting in a residence that is both visually striking and deeply comfortable. The thoughtful integration of art, furniture, and color, along with a strong connection to the surrounding natural environment, defines this modern country home as a serene and sophisticated retreat. #ModernHomestead #CountryDesign #InteriorDesign #ArentPyke #PaulBangay #RegionalNSW #LuxuryHome #EclecticDecor #ColorPalette

The article showcases the Miami bungalow of entrepreneur Chelsea Hirschhorn, designed by Monica Santayana and Ronald Alvarez of MONIOMI Design. The property, a four-bedroom, four-bathroom bungalow spanning 3,250 square feet, primarily functions as a guest house and a private retreat for Hirschhorn. The design brief emphasized capturing a subtle, beach-inspired atmosphere while allowing the designers creative freedom to incorporate Hirschhorn's colorful outlook. The entryway sets a vibrant mood with a textural blue lime wash wall, formal paneling, and grasscloth wallpaper. A vintage Mario Lopez Torres monkey table introduces a whimsical element. The great room is designed for versatility, featuring lounge-style seating for guests and play areas for children. A centrally located sofa offers 360-degree seating, adapting to various activities. Additional features in the great room include a custom pool table, a hand sconce by Chris Wolston, and chairs from Joyful Objects, Yes! The article also mentions a foosball table, a Brent Warr floor lamp, and Elitis drapery. In the guest wing, the hallway features a 3D raffia wallcovering from CMO Paris, intended to create an unexpected and playful design element. The kitchen maintains an oceanic color scheme with custom light blue cabinetry accented with gray, complemented by mint quartzite countertops and backsplash. Custom light wood shelving displays seashell art and houses a candy bar. The primary bedroom serves as a personal retreat and a 'glam room,' incorporating plum tones and textured details like a fluted wall. Furnishings include a custom headboard in Lee Jofa fabric, a custom sofa, and pieces from Lukas Wegwerth and 1stDibs. The room also features a L’aviva ceiling light, Hodsoll Mackenzie curtains, and a Jeremy Anderson floor lamp. Another guest bedroom embraces a warm and inviting atmosphere with saturated mustard yellow tones, ceiling wallpaper from Arte, and Phillip Jeffries wallpaper. Custom pieces include the bed and sconces. The kids' room stimulates imagination with Gucci’s heron wallpaper and incorporates rattan accents. The bunk room, designed for hosting family and friends, is saturated in teal, offering a bold and personalized feel. The primary bathroom, while connected to the bedroom's color scheme, provides a serene space with a lighter palette, Elitis wallpaper, and a Lindsey Adelman ceiling light. The guest bathroom, connecting the guest bedroom and bunk room, shimmers with a mother-of-pearl checkered wallcovering from Elitis, along with mirrors from Assembly Line and Gessi faucets. MONIOMI Design, an award-winning Miami-based firm led by Monica Santayana and Ronald Alvarez, specializes in luxury residential and commercial interiors with an eclectic and bold approach. They also have a bespoke furnishings brand, MADE by MONIOMI. The article highlights how the designers successfully blended functionality with a unique, whimsical, yet elevated aesthetic, deviating from traditional beach house decor to create a distinctive living space. #InteriorDesign #MiamiBungalow #MONIOMIDesign #HomeDecor #CoastalLiving #LuxuryInteriors #ColorSchemes #GuestHouse

The Vaazh House, located in Thandarai, India, and designed by Vy Architecture Studio, integrates traditional Indian cultural heritage with contemporary design principles. This 1,500-square-foot (139-sq-m) home is specifically engineered to adapt to its local climate while minimizing environmental impact. A central feature of the Vaazh House is a perforated curved wall. This architectural element acts as a dynamic climate buffer, effectively shielding the interior from the intense western sun. The perforations allow for a controlled interplay of natural light, creating a visually engaging environment while preventing excessive heat gain. The material selection further reinforces the home's ecological focus. It is constructed using natural materials such as compressed earth blocks, mud, and river rocks. These materials contribute to a reduced carbon footprint and provide excellent thermal mass, which helps regulate indoor temperatures, keeping the house cool during hot days and warm during cooler nights. In addition to passive design strategies, the Vaazh House incorporates active sustainable features. A rainwater harvesting system is integrated into the design, with the courtyard specifically shaped to collect monsoon rains. The curved, perforated wall guides the water flow, transforming a functional necessity into an aesthetic display. Solar panels are also installed to provide a renewable energy source, thereby reducing the home's dependence on the electrical grid. The interior layout of the Vaazh House is organized into three distinct zones to balance social interaction and privacy. The communal area, which includes the traditional 'thinnai' (a covered veranda for socializing), the living room, and the central courtyard, are all interconnected to foster an open and welcoming atmosphere. The more private areas, such as the kitchen and bedrooms, are arranged linearly to ensure individual privacy while maintaining a cohesive and connected feel throughout the residence. The aesthetic of the interior directly reflects the natural red landscape of the surroundings. Exposed mud-brick walls and earthy flooring create a warm and grounded ambiance. Large floor-to-ceiling glass walls are strategically placed to offer expansive views of the landscaped outdoors, effectively bringing nature indoors. Thoughtful architectural planning ensures that these transparent elements do not compromise the residents' privacy, allowing for a tranquil living experience. The courtyard serves as the functional and visual heart of the home, encircled by the distinctive perforated curved wall. This wall not only protects from the harsh afternoon sun but also invites natural elements like light and fresh air through its openings. The wall's unique curvature is not merely decorative; it also provides access to the roof, adding another layer of functionality to the design. The Vaazh House exemplifies a harmonious coexistence between architecture and its natural environment, offering a multi-sensory experience that connects residents with the earth, rain, and sky. #VaazhHouse #EcoFriendlyDesign #SustainableArchitecture #NaturalMaterials #IndianArchitecture #PerforatedWalls #ThermalMass #RainwaterHarvesting #SolarPanels #VyArchitectureStudio