Packed with classic neutrals and pops of warming colour, this new build oozes country-style charm

Interior designer Jill Croka has transformed a Tulsa new build into a luxurious family home designed for both children and frequent entertaining. The client desired a warm, functional space, leading to a carefully considered interior that incorporates earthy colors, layered textures, and interesting shapes. Croka and her team focused on selecting durable yet luxurious pieces, alongside unique, personalized elements that contribute to a 'wow factor' in each room. Notable details include the millwork, material choices, and lighting, all meticulously chosen without rushing any decisions. The exterior and interior living spaces, complemented by thoughtful outdoor landscaping, contribute to the home's expansive and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for social gatherings. The living room, envisioned as a reading and music listening space for adults and older children, features statement lighting like the Cloud chandelier by Apparatus, which offers a delicate contrast to the home's linear architecture. Elitis wallpaper creates a cozy and intimate ambiance, while furniture includes a vintage Vladimir Keegan sofa and reupholstered Le Corbusier chairs in custom mohair and powder-coated metal, adding color and playfulness. A specially designed bar functions as a furniture piece, and artwork is strategically used to introduce color, reflecting the client's passion for finding the perfect pieces. The great room, an open-plan area combining living, kitchen, and dining, benefits from floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light. A calming neutral palette was chosen to foster a serene environment, aligning with the belief that a home should be a place for restoration. The design's starting point was the stone used on the stove backsplash, with its tones influencing the color scheme of the dining area and overall layering of the space. Sectional sofas and curved chairs provide ample comfortable seating for guests. The kitchen is designed for sleekness and functionality, incorporating a pop-up vent to avoid a prominent hood. Honed Dolce Vita stone from Aria Stone Gallery, a favorite of Jill's, is used for both the splashback and island. Above the island, a Branching Bubbles light fixture by Lindsey Adelman adds a touch of glamour. The main bedroom features a soothing scheme of soft grays, with sumptuous fabrics and disc wall lights creating a luxurious feel. The walk-in closets are distinguished by material: the 'hers' closet is crafted from ash, while the 'his' is in walnut, with a teal chair providing a pop of color in the former. The main bathroom includes opulent details like rose gold taps and Ochre horn handles, alongside custom-designed vanity units by Jill. The son's bedroom personalizes the space with a handpainted wallpaper feature wall by Porter Teleo, built-in storage, and industrial-style pendant lights by Apparatus, showcasing how each room was thoughtfully designed to blend luxury, functionality, and individual character. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #NeutralInteriors #LuxuryHome #RanchStyleHome #JillCrokaDesigns #CustomMillwork #StatementLighting #OpenPlanLiving

This article highlights a new-build home in Alabama, designed by Memphis-based designer Sean Anderson, for a couple of empty nesters seeking a relaxed yet elegant living space. The design concept for this hilltop residence, situated between two historic early 1900s homes, aimed to imbue it with a 'sense of permanence,' making it appear as though it had always existed on the site. Anderson describes the style as 'Californian organic modern' blended with classic touches. The exterior and interior of the home utilize natural materials such as exposed stone, limestone, and slate, contributing to its architectural aesthetic and timeless appeal. The owners' appreciation for nature, stemming from their time at a ranch in Montana, influenced the material choices, which also serve as a backdrop for their extensive collection of art and sculptures. The entrance hall features an organically shaped bespoke staircase and showcases a framed black and white landscape, complementing the substantial credenza. The home's layout is designed to be flexible and accommodate large gatherings, with most main public spaces adopting an open-plan design. The goal was to create a comfortable and vacation-like atmosphere for anyone entering the home. A restrained color palette, primarily using Benjamin Moore's Classic Gray and Sherwin-Williams' Iron Ore for subtle depth, allows the natural blonde stone to stand out. This is further enhanced by sophisticated white and cream textiles and natural woven rugs. The Great Room, located at the heart of the home, presented a significant design challenge due to its large size and the need to comfortably seat around 20 people while maintaining a sense of connection. Raw materials like wood, concrete, and steel are incorporated, with their sculptural qualities adding to the sleek look. Slim-steel window frames maximize natural light and offer expansive views. Additional spaces detailed in the home include a snug, where antiques and collectibles introduce an extra layer to the modern scheme, and a sunroom. The sunroom, originally a screened porch area off the kitchen, was transformed into a contrasting dark-painted space with floor-to-ceiling windows, which has become one of the most frequently used rooms. Its design incorporates curtains that enhance a golden glow and a dark ceiling for a unique twist. The kitchen features Calacatta Borghini marble, which elevates its rustic aesthetic. The laundry room includes a tabletop made from black honed soapstone set into a window recess. The bedroom design emphasizes texture and furnishings with patina to add character to the neutral scheme. In the main bathroom, a luxurious Calacatta marble surround is integrated into a bay window, where the bath is positioned. The article concludes by mentioning the designer's future projects and his anticipation for a well-deserved vacation, reflecting the relaxed holiday atmosphere he successfully incorporated into this Alabama home. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SeanAnderson #NewBuildHome #NeutralPalette #NaturalMaterials #AlabamaHome #CalifornianOrganicModern #LuxuryInteriors

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

This article details the design and aesthetic of a newly constructed American farmhouse located in a rural area outside Los Angeles. The homeowners, who previously resided in a busy Southern Californian beach community, sought to return to their roots in a serene setting. Architect Erik Evens of Evens Architects designed the house to embody the traditions of American farmhouses, emphasizing comfort, family life, and outdoor living. The property was strategically situated atop a hill to maximize views of the Santa Monica Mountains and was carefully planned around existing mature oak trees, which are protected in California. The architectural design features a central Great Hall housing formal living and dining areas, flanked by adjoining wings for casual family spaces and bedrooms. This layout creates the illusion of a home that has evolved over time. The central two-story section is clad in white clapboard with a gable roof and dormers, while the single-story wings are covered in cedar shingle. Reflecting Southern California's outdoor lifestyle, the back of the house includes a spacious veranda for al fresco living and dining, a swimming pool, a large pool terrace, and an outdoor fireplace. Interior designer Joe Lucas of Lucas Studio, Inc., was commissioned to craft a classic interior with a contemporary touch. The design drew inspiration from the clients' desire for a more traditional East Coast style, with a color scheme initiated by their preference for blue and green. These colors were chosen to reflect the youthful, modern family living in the home and the surrounding California hills. The entry hall incorporates a layered scheme with antique furniture and a salon art wall to enhance the sense of a home that has grown over time. The family room boasts a lofty barn truss ceiling, designed for comfort and ease of entertaining a large extended family. Seating includes a plush sofa, armchairs, and pouffes. Classic furniture and floral patterns nod to the rural location. The kitchen also features a barn truss ceiling, with wooden cladding, elegant powder blue cabinetry, a breakfast bar, and a focal wooden island, creating a homey, New England farmhouse atmosphere. The breakfast room showcases hand-painted wallpaper by Fromental above period-style paneling, complemented by cane-back French-style chairs and a Bunny Williams Home table. The formal dining room, situated in the Great Hall, features pink leather dining chairs, a large table, and a statement pendant light. The library was designed as a central hub for family life, serving as a pathway to the bedroom wing. It features a cozy palette of deep, smoky colors and an exposed stone fireplace wall. A large button-back sofa and comfortable cane chairs provide inviting reading nooks. The main bedroom includes a William Yeoward gray oak four-poster bed, inspired by traditional Mallorcan designs, and an Alex Conroy Textiles fabric pillow. The daughter's bedroom features a pastel palette, a traditional white bobbin bed, and a white console table, designed to age gracefully with her. The daughter's bathroom continues the classic, feminine theme with a dusky pink washstand and period-style faucets. #WestCoastNewbuild #AmericanFarmhouse #ClassicInterior #EastCoastVibe #RuralLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesign #LuxuryHomes #FamilyHome #CaliforniaDesign

The article details significant interior colour trends emerging in Australia for 2025, emphasizing how diverse palettes are reshaping home aesthetics. It highlights the crucial role of colour choice in creating spaces that reflect personal style and complement lifestyle. New build markets and insights from leading paint brands like Wattyl, Dulux, Haymes Paint, and Taubmans are central to identifying these evolving trends, which collectively aim to introduce warmth, nostalgia, and modern vibrancy into residential interiors. Four major colour trends are identified and discussed. The first trend is 'Warm neutrals,' presented as the foundational element for room palettes, offering tranquility and refined elegance. Wattyl's "new neutral" shades, such as Warm Sand, are noted for their compatibility with natural, organic materials, making them suitable for various rooms including kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. Dulux contributes to this with its Still palette, featuring calming shades like Mellow Beige and Clay Pipe. Haymes Paint draws inspiration from Australia's diverse landscapes, offering natural tones like Sand Haze, which provides a serene effect through its desaturated quality. Taubmans extends this category with Manhattan Snow and Stowe White, reinforcing the enduring versatility of warm neutrals. Secondly, 'Earth shades' reflect a growing commitment to sustainability and biophilic design. Haymes' Daintree palette, inspired by ancient rainforests, includes deep greens, mossy hues, and earthy browns, with Contrast, a yellow/green, evoking the Eucalyptus flower. Dulux's Clay Court (from the Still collection) and Faded Terracotta (from the Recollect palette) are highlighted for their grounding qualities, connecting residents to the natural world. Terracotta, particularly, is a popular choice in new build styling, as seen in Sarazin's Murcia Residences. Wattyl's desert-inspired terracottas, such as Terracotta Tone, add depth and can complement softer pastels and vibrant yellows and reds. The third trend, 'Rustic reds,' brings vibrancy and a sense of history to interiors. These shades are designed to create lively atmospheres that honor craftsmanship and heritage, serving as prominent focal points. Dulux's Recollection palette includes impactful hues like Red Clown and Auburn Flair, aligning with a forecast for rich burgundies and wine hues to gain prominence in residential design. Haymes Paint offers deep reds, like Worn Red, inspired by Australian landscapes, which are ideal for 'colour drenching' techniques. Taubmans’ Rebel Wine is recommended for living and theatre areas in its 2025 Colour Trends guide. Finally, 'Dynamic blues' are emerging as a significant trend, infusing modern energy into spaces. Dulux's Justice, part of its Emerge palette, represents a contemporary blend of serenity and bold expression. Haymes Paint’s Colours of Australia collection includes vibrant blues like Mindful and Faded Blue, perfect for creating tranquil sleeping environments. Sherridon Homes exemplifies the effective use of blue to achieve both modern and comfortable aesthetics in designs like its Lakeport home. These blues are particularly effective in fresh architectural contexts, providing cool and calming influences in well-lit interiors. #ColorTrends #InteriorDesign #HomeDecoration #WarmNeutrals #EarthShades #RusticReds #DynamicBlues #AustralianDesign #NewBuilds

A 1970s-style Dallas ranch house underwent a significant transformation, moving away from its original closed-in and sprawling floorplan to embrace an open, light-filled modernist aesthetic with South American influences. The homeowners, with a background in Mexico and Brazil, sought to infuse their new US residence with the warmth and richness reminiscent of their time in South America, creating a vibrant backdrop for their art collection and modernist furniture. Interior designer Joshua Rice led the renovation, focusing on opening up the space, enhancing natural light, and establishing a cohesive flow throughout the home. The original house posed challenges due to its convoluted layout, characterized by a series of disconnected rooms. Joshua Rice addressed this by strategically removing walls, thereby creating a 150-foot visual connection spanning nearly the entire length of the house. This design choice not only improved navigability but also brought a sense of unity to the interior. The entryway now feels spacious and offers a clear view into the kitchen, fostering a connection with other areas of the home. Artworks by Pago Mann and Mr Brainwash, displayed on neutral walls, introduce color and a playful element. One notable design solution involved replacing a hazardous, zig-zagging three-step transition between two living rooms with a simple yet elegant stone half-height wall. This Pietra Grey stone box, with its precise detailing—waterfall edges and articulated reveals—effectively separates the upper and lower levels while maintaining a spatial connection. This intervention significantly improved both the safety and aesthetic appeal of the space, moving beyond the original architectural limitations. The renovation heavily emphasized the use of natural materials and a neutral color palette. In the eat-in kitchen, Faye Toogood's Roly Poly round table and dining chairs introduce a softening element to the otherwise defined lines of the main kitchen. The kitchen itself features cabinetry crafted from teak with bronze accent panels by Forms & Surfaces, paired with concrete engineered quartz countertops by Santamargherita. These elements collectively contribute warmth and a touch of midcentury modern style. White oak flooring extends throughout the main rooms, offering a durable and visually cohesive surface, while a custom vent hood combining teak and blackened steel adds a modernist touch. The living rooms showcase a curated selection of vintage South American midcentury modern pieces. The main living area features iconic Presidential armchairs and a vintage Oushak rug, complemented by a cast bronze table by Jojo Corväiá. The dining room is anchored by a 1959 Guanabara rosewood table by Jorge Zalszupin and illuminated by an RBW Palindrome light, with Fiona Weedon's "Tears and Flowers 1993" oil on canvas adorning Venetian plaster walls. The upper living room, centered around the Pietra grey stone fireplace, includes a Sideways sofa, vintage Alta lounge chair, and two 'Diz' chairs, alongside additional cast bronze and ceramic tables and a rare Brazilian sculpture. The home office incorporates Aim lamps by Flos, vintage swivel and lounge chairs, and a desk from Poltrona Frau, while the main bedroom offers a window alcove with seating and a blackened steel fireplace. The project successfully blends modernist principles with rich, textural materials, creating a luxurious and welcoming environment. The architect, Mark McCollum, noted that despite the original convoluted floorplan, the careful crafting of connections resulted in a grand and gracious home. #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #ModernistHome #DallasArchitecture #MidCenturyModern #SouthAmericanInfluence #VintageFurniture #OpenConceptLiving #NaturalMaterials

The article discusses the modern interpretation of classic country interior design, a trend that blends traditional English decorating elements with contemporary sensibilities. It highlights that while classic country style is not new, its current iteration focuses on careful execution to achieve a fresh and updated feel. Interior designers are emphasizing a balanced approach, where rich patterns and textures are harmonized with muted plain surfaces. Decorative lighting is incorporated but often features modern materials, and feminine designs are juxtaposed with stronger, more minimalist shapes to create a dynamic yet cohesive aesthetic. Tiffany Duggan, founder of Studio Duggan, explains that there is a growing appreciation for the classic English aesthetic, driven by a desire for comfort and nostalgia. Her studio's designs, such as headboards, skirted slipper chairs, and upholstered ottomans, exemplify this 'trad' look. The article notes that even significant pieces like four-poster beds are being reinterpreted through modern eyes, primarily through fabric selection. The recommendation is to pair a prominent pattern with a complementary, smaller-scale design, such as a stripe, for visual interest. Playful trims or fringes in vibrant colors like berry red or citrine green are suggested as a way to inject a whimsical touch. The article then provides a curated selection of products to help readers achieve this modern country style. These include various home furnishings and accessories, each chosen for its ability to contribute to the overall aesthetic. Examples of these products range from decorative items like the Jasper Lumbar cushion and the Adelaide Lattice Urn & Pedestal to larger furniture pieces such as The Trefoil Ottoman Stool and an Art Deco Bedside Table. Lighting options, including the Lindi Aged Brass & Linen Scalloped Wall Light and the Grisewood Lamp & Shade, are presented as ways to enhance the ambiance. Smaller accents like the Bunch Of Lavender Delft Tile and the Plume Thistle Carafe & Tumbler are also featured, illustrating how subtle details can tie the look together. The selection also includes more distinctive items like a British Colonial Style Burnt Bamboo & Cane Freestanding Cheval Floor Mirror and a Stevie Chaise, indicating the breadth of items that can be integrated into this style. Practical yet stylish pieces such as the Avalon 3 Drawer Chest and the Dual Pouffe are suggested, alongside more traditional elements like a Square Section Ball Finial Wall Bracket and a Chatsworth Wall Light. The article concludes its product recommendations with art pieces like 'The Fruit Trees' print set and a Luggage Stand covered in an Archive Colefax & Fowler Print, showcasing how art and functional items can contribute to the layered country aesthetic. The inspiration images from @EstelleManor and @KinHouseWiltshire provide visual context for the trend, demonstrating how these elements come together in real-world interiors. #CountryStyle #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #TraditionalDecor #ModernInteriors #FabricChoice #AntiqueFurniture #DecorativeLighting #HomeFurnishings

Building a new home offers the advantage of creating a bespoke space free from the constraints of old floor plans or previous owners' preferences. However, a significant challenge in new construction is the absence of inherent history, original features, or quirky characteristics that often define older properties. This article details how designers Annabel Hickton and Samantha Liu of Untold Interiors tackled this challenge in a 2024 project: transforming a contemporary new build into a home imbued with a sense of history and character without resorting to pastiche. The clients desired a family home that was practical, comfortable, light, and airy, while also feeling stylish and sophisticated. They needed spaces for daily family life, like breakfast areas for children, and more formal, tranquil areas for entertaining and evening relaxation. Crucially, they wanted to avoid the generic feel often associated with new builds, prompting a focus on unique detailing and finishes. For instance, the limestone floor was chosen with a tumbled edge and rustic grout to achieve an aged appearance, deliberately eschewing mass-produced, overly straight elements. Untold Interiors collaborated with architects Concept Eight from the project's inception, allowing them to influence the interior architecture and design every space to suit the clients' lifestyle. The property, located in the Hertfordshire countryside, replaced an existing bungalow. The designers emphasized the importance of early involvement to tailor the layout and specific room functions. They meticulously considered the shape, proportion, and purpose of each room, integrating distinctive design elements to enhance character. In the double-height entryway, fluted wall paneling and high stone skirting were incorporated, details that are unconventional but create a significant visual impact upon entry. An arched entrance with a pocket door was chosen to introduce softness and a welcoming ambiance, contrasting with a standard rectangular opening. Decorative panels and curved black anodized steel spindles accentuate the hallway's proportions, complemented by wall sconces from Allied Maker and a dark-stained wooden handrail. A 19th-century French bleached walnut gueridon and two aged-brown oak console tables further add historical charm. The designers paid particular attention to ceilings, introducing oversized coving in the family living room, a tongue and groove ceiling in the dark blue media room, and decorative wall beading in the formal dining and lounge. These elements were crucial in making the ceilings feel less generic, adding layers of interest throughout the house. Material selection was also key to grounding the interior and providing warmth, with choices like honed limestone flooring, limewash paint for depth, and antique bronze metal accents. The emphasis was on materials that develop a patina, conveying authenticity and timelessness. The color scheme was primarily neutral but carefully curated to offer depth and interest through natural materials such as oak and limestone flooring, and limewash walls. The designers also incorporated varied textures, patinas, and color tones. This calm background serves to highlight carefully chosen furniture and art, curated by Art Consultancy, Hollandridge, and allows the natural beauty of the garden and surrounding countryside to become a focal point. The kitchen, designed as the heart of the home, is integrated into an L-shaped family living space. Flush wall cabinets and a subtly enclosed extraction fan were chosen to make the kitchen feel like a natural extension of the room, rather than a distinct, bulky area. Additional kitchen storage, a second dishwasher, and a wine store are discreetly placed in a pantry, allowing for a clutter-free main kitchen, especially when entertaining. Notable kitchen features include a four-meter semi-honed Taj Mahal quartzite island, in-frame solid oak cabinets with a sand gray stain, and dovetailed drawers. Bar stools were custom-made. The kitchen collaboration with 202 Design involved bespoke solid oak shaker cabinets with a unique sand gray stain and a hand-decorated finish, alongside Gaggenau appliances and aged brass hardware. In the family living space, oversized seamless coving extends from the walls, accentuating height and echoing the home's curved elements. The home bar, a focal point for entertaining, was inspired by classic hotel bars but designed with a softer, more inviting feel. It features a curved timber arch, a rounded stone countertop, bespoke wall detailing, and decorative bobbin beadwork paneling. Caned chairs and a Porta Romana side table complete the sophisticated setup, which also includes open shelving, beverage refrigeration, and discreet drawers. The master bedroom, with its high ceilings and awkward angles, presented a challenge. Thoughtful design, including high skirting that adapted to the windows and a custom-made door frame, created a serene and intentional space. Sixty percent of the home's elements, including all sofas, were custom-made, requiring careful coordination and testing to ensure perfect proportions. Even functional spaces like bathrooms received meticulous attention, with marble slopes replacing standard shower niches for ease of cleaning and improved aesthetics. The entire project took three years, resulting in a home that feels natural, modern, and understated, yet elegant and timeless, successfully blending traditional country details with contemporary interpretations. #HouseDesign #NewBuild #InteriorDesign #CountryCharm #HistoricFeel #CustomDetails #TimelessDesign #FamilyHome #LuxuryInteriors

A new-build home in a quiet D.C. neighborhood, owned by a family from New York, served as a blank canvas lacking inherent personality and architectural interest. The design approach centered on introducing and emphasizing architectural details through a blend of modern and traditional styles, creating distinct design elements throughout the residence. The interior features a contrasting color scheme, merging light and dark hues, alongside a selection of artwork and minimalist yet comfortable furniture. A particularly noteworthy design choice is the use of bold painted trim, which significantly enhances the home's character. The overall aesthetic cultivates a modern yet cozy atmosphere, characterized by sculptural, minimalist elements and unique, appealing details that encourage a sense of comfortable immersion in each room. The deliberate use of contrasting trim is evident throughout the home, from open areas with off-white walls to spaces where darker colors prevail. In the dining room, living room, and bedroom, door frames, skirtings, and crown moldings are painted in colors that contrast with the walls, a technique chosen by interior designer Zoe Feldman to imbue the spaces with a bespoke feel and added coziness. For instance, one bedroom showcases white walls with striking yellow crown moldings and dark green skirtings and door frames. In the living room, black trims against white walls create a refined look, echoing the black frames of glazed doors, alcove shelving, and the fireplace. The kitchen continues this theme of contrasting decoration. Instead of replacing functional cabinets, they were painted black, and this color extended to the breakfast area walls, resulting in a saturated and customized appearance. The adjacent living room, with its white walls and ample natural light, acts as a neutralizer, balancing the dark kitchen. The black kitchen's design is further enhanced by the strategic application of white marble on the island and backsplash. While the kitchen and library incorporate color, the communal areas were designed with a quiet palette to allow art and furniture to take center stage. Dark cabinets in the kitchen and gallery-like white walls in the living room facilitate this. The contrasting black trims create a framing effect for the carefully selected objects in the living and dining rooms, elevating them as display-worthy pieces. The home is furnished with deconstructed pieces that lean towards a sculptural, minimalist style, yet offer comfort and warmth through their textures and colors, evoking a mid-century modern sensibility. This design strategy effectively uses simple yet impactful decorative elements, such as contrasting paint, retrofitted architectural details like crown moldings, and thoughtfully curated furniture and art, to achieve a sophisticated, modern, and timeless aesthetic. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #ContrastingTrim #ArchitecturalDetails #ModernHome #ZoeFeldmanDesign #ColorPalette #MinimalistAesthetic #MidCenturyModern #InteriorStyling

The article discusses the emerging interior design trend known as “Modern Cottage,” which is a blend of Cottagecore and modern farmhouse styles. This new aesthetic moves beyond the traditional modern farmhouse look, incorporating elements from both popular styles while introducing a more refined and nuanced approach. The author, Anna Logan, a resident interiors trend forecaster for Country Living, explains the key characteristics of this evolving style and provides examples of its application in home design. Modern Cottage style is characterized by several distinct elements. Firstly, it features "Pared-Down Palettes," moving away from the stark black and white often seen in modern farmhouse designs. Instead, it embraces warmer, more neutral tones such as creams, taupes, and chocolatey browns. These foundational colors are occasionally accented with faded blues, reds, and olive greens, creating a softer, more inviting atmosphere. The use of whitewashed rooms and sun-bleached linens contributes to a sense of warmth and rustic charm, which is reminiscent of Cottagecore but without the overt rustic elements. Secondly, the style incorporates "Restrained Whimsy." While maintaining the whimsical silhouettes found in traditional cottage design, Modern Cottage refines these elements by minimizing superfluous detailing. Intricate carvings or scalloped trims, common in older cottage styles, are less prominent. Decorative folk painting, which was a hallmark of Cottagecore, is also toned down, appearing faded or worn to fit within the subdued color palettes. This approach creates a sense of elegance and simplicity while still retaining a playful touch. Thirdly, "Lighter Layering" is essential to the Modern Cottage aesthetic. The design emphasizes coziness through nubby textiles and worn-in leathers, but it avoids excessive layering of items like pillows. The focus is on a few streamlined, stand-out pieces, ideally made from vintage or repurposed materials. An example provided is a skirted sink crafted from French grain sack, contrasting with a more traditional ruffly checked skirt. This highlights a preference for authenticity and simplicity over elaborate embellishments, with fewer floral and checked patterns overall. Lastly, "Rustic Wood Tones" play a crucial role in uniting the modern farmhouse and Cottagecore influences. Exposed ceiling beams or scrubbed pine dressers showcase stained or raw wood, contributing to the rustic thread that runs through both styles. The calmer and quieter color palette of Modern Cottage allows these wood tones to become central to the room's ambiance. The article suggests that well-patinaed furniture will remain a significant feature, with an emphasis on unique, standout pieces, encouraging enthusiasts to explore thrift stores for authentic finds. The article showcases several examples of modern cottage interiors, including a living room with white walls and natural light, a dining space with reclaimed French doors, an entry area with crisp black and white contrasted by wood tones, a kitchen featuring a large wooden table and whimsical chairs, a bedroom with breezy linens and subtle rose patterns, and a space with a large antique pine wardrobe. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #ModernCottage #Cottagecore #ModernFarmhouse #DesignTrends #NeutralPalettes #RusticWoodTones #VintageFurniture

This article details the transformation of a previously bland and dated center hall colonial-style home in NYC into a cozy and stylish family residence, spearheaded by interior designer Tami Wassong. The homeowners sought to retain the home's good structural bones, including tall windows, 10-foot ceilings, and herringbone parquet floors, while desiring a complete aesthetic overhaul that would feel comfortable and layered. Tami Wassong's design philosophy for this project emphasized deep colors, textured wallcoverings, custom millwork, and strategic layouts, all while ensuring no room was off-limits to the children, promoting a non-static living environment. The redesign journey began with the dining room, where a shibori-style Holly Hunt wallpaper was unconventionally applied to the ceiling, creating a distinctive graphic element that complemented the subtle Venetian plaster walls. This space was further enhanced with a Room ceiling light, a custom solid walnut dining table designed by Tami Wassong in collaboration with Withers Studio, and Craft Associates dining chairs. The living room was conceived as a warm and moody retreat, featuring deep olive-toned walls, matching built-ins, and a cohesive ceiling treatment. A custom wool-silk rug, designed in collaboration with Fayette Studio, along with paprika-colored Larchmont lounge chairs (Tami Wassong designs) and muddy grey sofas from Lawson Fenning upholstered in Holly Hunt fabric, contributed to the room's inviting ambiance. The space, nicknamed the 'music room,' houses the family's art, music books, records, and turntable, and is illuminated by an Urban Electric ceiling light. For the kitchen, a sustainable approach was adopted, involving the refinishing of existing lower perimeter cabinets and the reconfiguration of a new island and upper cabinets. The addition of new hardware and Arabescato Vagli marble surfaces and backsplash, alongside striking Allied Maker pendant lights and Blueprint wall sconces, modernized the space. A practical eat-in kitchen area, featuring a custom Formica-topped table from Withers Studio and leather-seated oak dining chairs, was designed to maximize an elegant bay window with garden views. The powder room embraced a moody aesthetic with a richly patterned Bleu Cobalt's Athena wallcovering from Black Crow Studios, serving as a foundational color theme for the entire house. Luxurious details included an integrated sink made of Kenya Brown marble, Belgian bluestone herringbone floors, and antique brass fixtures. The entryway, though minimalist with white walls and pale flooring, subtly integrated key colors from the home through playful sconces and ceiling fixtures by Urban Electric, a textural stair runner by Scandécor, and Dora Somosi’s Tondo Art, aiming to create a refreshing and calm welcome. Upstairs, the children's bedrooms also featured distinctive wallcoverings: Zak + Fox’s Ntama paper in deep maroon for one teen, offering a warm yet sophisticated feel, and Aesthetics deep blue textural wallpaper for the other, creating a cozy look. The primary bedroom was designed as a serene sanctuary, employing layered soft whites and greys, Portola Paints limewash walls, and textural window drapes to foster relaxation. The adjoining bathroom maintained this serene mood with Dolomite floors, custom-cut stacked dolomite tiles, an oak vanity, and satin nickel fixtures, blending contemporary design with clean lines. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #ColorfulInteriors #TexturedWallcoverings #CustomMillwork #LuxuryDesign #FamilyHome #NYCInteriorDesign #DiningRoomDesign #LivingRoomDecor

This blog post explores the transformation of a historic colonial revival home dating back to 1895 in Newton Center, Massachusetts. The owners sought to update their property with a glamorous, sexy, and elegant aesthetic, while simultaneously restoring and enhancing its original architectural features. The project aimed to integrate sympathetic interior décor with a contemporary flair from the 2020s. Before addressing the design details, the primary challenge involved removing uncomplimentary architectural additions from the 1940s, 80s, and 90s, particularly a deteriorating 1980s kitchen. Designer Cecilia Casagrande was commissioned to address these challenges, focusing on enhancing the home's original architecture while adapting it for modern living. Her approach successfully blended original period details with quirky and glamorous contemporary touches. The kitchen redesign, for instance, drew inspiration from the client’s Turkish Iznik pottery collection and antique rugs, transforming a drab 1980s space into a bright, open area. The design incorporated a mix of midcentury, antique, and modern elements, evident in pairings like a midcentury side table with a modern bed frame, or a curved sofa with modern lamps. The breakfast nook features an antique pedestal table and vintage dining chairs, harmonizing with the updated kitchen. The cabinet colors, specifically Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black and Benjamin Moore’s Yorktowne Green, were inspired by the blue hues of the Turkish plate collection. The kitchen also boasts vintage rugs from Afghanistan, brass taps by Barber Wilson, and handmade tiles from Winchester Tile in England, along with green stone accents, contributing to a worldly and earthy feel. The living room, characterized by intricate wood detailing and an impressive bay window, features walls, trim, and ceiling painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue. This bold color choice maintains the modernity of the ornate trim while creating a cozy Victorian parlor ambiance. Natural walnut elements on doors and trim are highlighted with a clear poly finish. The room includes a midcentury vintage sofa upholstered in mohair blue velvet, complemented by a rounded Jonathan Adler Danner sofa and Kelly Wearstler lamps to create a “sexy vibe.” Midcentury furnishings, such as a reupholstered Thayer Coggin swivel chair and a new Thayer Coggin Roxy chair, along with a round midcentury pi-coffee table and Moroccan inlaid side tables, contribute to a global aesthetic through eclectic accessories sourced internationally. A vibrant artwork by Hunt Slonem in a gilt frame and a vintage carved sideboard add glamour to a corner of the living room. The dining room reflects the clients' vision with quirky contemporary elements like Cole & Son Leopard Walk wallpaper and a stag chandelier sourced from Germany. Iconic midcentury Saarinen chairs and a stunning Suzani tablecloth complete the eclectic and joyful space, which is described as Victorian modern. The upstairs landing serves as an inviting seating area, utilizing natural light from an original gothic-detailed 1895 window and featuring French-style armchairs and a chess set. The primary bedroom showcases pastel pinks, blending antique, vintage, and modern furnishings. Brass elements, such as Sarreid chests, an antique mirror, and an Alexa Hampton ceiling light, add character. Walls are painted in Farrow & Ball's Middleton Pink with trim in Dove Tail, while House of Hackney and Timorous Beasties pillows, a modern champagne velvet bed, and a faux sheepskin swivel chair balance the vintage pieces. The bathroom features a Penhaglion cast iron tub in unlacquered brass, a striking choice for the historic home, complemented by classic marble tiles, Timorous Beasties curtains, and brass accents, offering a modern twist on traditional design. The homeowners expressed satisfaction with the transformation, noting that each room was thoughtfully designed and inspired by their existing collections, making the renovation a collaborative effort from architectural restoration to fabric selection. The project successfully honored the home's original features while introducing contemporary humor and subtle updates. #HistoricHomeRenovation #ColonialRevival #InteriorDesign #BoldColorSchemes #VictorianModern #KitchenDesign #LivingRoomDecor #BedroomIdeas #BathroomDesign

This blog post showcases the transformation of a 1915 Colonial Revival home in New Jersey, where designer Michael Maher skillfully blended historical charm with modern vibrancy. Following a significant addition that nearly doubled its original footprint, Maher implemented a gutsy color palette, wallpapered ceilings, and graphic painted floors to create a seamless and refreshed interior. The entrance features a visually engaging geometric pattern on the painted floor, complemented by a banquette in a Kravet stripe and 1940s French sconces, with walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s Parma Gray. The spacious foyer, connected to the dining room, serves as a functional and welcoming area. It includes an extra table for large gatherings, a banquette, and a wing chair, with an English round table from Balsamo and an armchair in a Colefax and Fowler print. The lighting is enhanced by a Charles Edwards pendant. The kitchen adopts a layered neutral scheme, with walls in Benjamin Moore’s Jute and cabinetry and trim in Farrow & Ball’s Hardwick White. It is equipped with a custom Waterworks sink and Vermont Danby marble countertops. Hickory Chair stools, upholstered in Larsen leather, and a Visual Comfort chandelier, matching one in the adjacent breakfast room, complete the look. Ann Sacks floor tiles add a refined touch. In the breakfast room, a 19th-century English pine mantel from Chesney’s anchors the space, while vintage Swedish chairs are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, contrasting with walls in Old White. Kilim rugs from Double Knot add warmth and texture. A highlight is the butler’s pantry, designed with a focus on color, pattern, and intricate details. It boasts glossy cabinetry and millwork in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue, Pomegranate wallpaper by Galbraith & Paul, and a mahogany countertop with brass banding and a copper sink, featuring a Perrin & Rowe faucet. The study, known as the Dukes Room, incorporates a Thibaut wallpapered ceiling and walls in Farrow & Ball’s Lichen, with a vintage Italian sofa covered in Lee Jofa fabric. The windows are left bare to emphasize the original architecture, and the room is furnished with a Visual Comfort pendant and Stark carpet. An antique secretary cabinet in the study showcases a collection of British commemorative cups. The dining room, located in the new wing, incorporates elaborate dentil moldings to harmonize with the home’s original architectural style. It is designed for comfortable entertaining with good lighting, comfortable chairs, and a five-foot-wide table. A personalized touch is added by a mural painted by Marylyn Modny, depicting the clients’ daughter within a historic New York Harbor scene, created in grisaille and including subtle details like the family’s children and dog. The living room is striking with its custom canary-yellow lacquered walls by Stephen and Lisa Longworth, creating a warm ambiance and complementing a palette of blue, coral, and ocher, especially luminous at night. Furnishings include an Ebanista sofa with Lee Jofa fabric pillows and curtains, and a Plexi-Craft cocktail table. The master bedroom is designed as a serene retreat overlooking the woods. Walls are wrapped in a mushroom silk from Phillip Jeffries, and the bed is adorned with a large-scale ikat in purple and pale blue from Carleton V, complementing a custom headboard. Curtains in Pierre Frey linen, a Vaughan sconce, and a Christopher Spitzmiller lamp enhance the luxurious and tranquil atmosphere. #NewJerseyColonial #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #ColorPalette #MichaelMaher #HistoricHome #WallpaperedCeilings #GraphicFloors #CustomInteriors

Boulder-based interior designer Linda Mounce has crafted a modern farmhouse for her family, emphasizing a seamless flow throughout the home by implementing a consistent color and material palette. Her design philosophy centers on creating "quiet houses" where selected items can truly stand out, achieved by painting all walls the same shade of white. Mounce chose an un-tinted base white paint, which she discovered had been used for the trim, proving that extensive swatch testing isn't always necessary for an effective outcome. Complementing the white walls, she selected a custom, ultra-matte stain for the white-oak floors, which she jokingly refers to as "the color of dirt," advocating for matte finishes to minimize visible dirt. With this foundational palette in place, Mounce furnished the rooms with a blend of old and new, high-end and affordable, and modern and traditional pieces. She advises against matching furniture sets, preferring a diverse mix to create a more authentic and visually engaging look. Her sourcing ranges from artisanal creators to large retail chains, as she believes relying on a single brand can lead to a one-dimensional aesthetic. Examples include pairing an upholstered headboard from Target with mirrors from West Elm and nightstands from Noir in the master bedroom, and a Restoration Hardware dining table with an inexpensive rug from HomeGoods. Mounce's strategy involves keeping major and costly furnishings neutral, while reserving vibrant design elements for less expensive, easily changeable items like pillows, artwork, and rugs. Her signature "organic modern" style heavily leans into organic elements, aiming to introduce warmth often missing in modern spaces. This warmth is primarily delivered through texture rather than color, incorporating rustic wood, natural stone, plush sheepskins, wool rugs, and living plants like fiddle-leaf fig trees. Mounce emphasizes that faux plants are a perfectly acceptable alternative for those without a "green thumb." She cautions against overusing mixed materials, suggesting that a few chosen elements, such as plants, sheepskins, or a specific metal finish like brushed brass, should be sprinkled sparingly throughout the home to maintain coherence without overwhelming the senses. This deliberate editing, she explains, is crucial for achieving the elusive sense of flow and creating the impression of expert design. The article further details specific design applications within Mounce's home. In the entryway, she created a functional landing space with an antique Chinese butcher’s table, a round mirror, and automatically timed lighting for convenience and safety. The dining room serves multiple purposes, blending kid-friendly leather chairs for daily use with upholstered seats for guests. The mudroom is designed for practicality, featuring pantry-sized cabinets for bulk storage and a custom bench made from reclaimed barn wood, chosen for its durability and natural distress. Outdoor spaces are treated as extensions of the home, with dedicated areas for lounging and dining, enhanced by a sectional, a concrete coffee table, and timed globe string lights. For fixed elements like countertops, flooring, and cabinetry, Mounce advocates for neutral and simple choices, exemplified by white Shaker-style cabinets and subdued PentalQuartz countertops in the kitchen. In the master bedroom, rich textures from layered pillows, a patterned blanket, and an African juju hat add warmth, with strategically placed mirrors to amplify light and height. Subtle exterior details, such as horizontally cut siding and a mix of gray wood and pale stone, contribute to the modern farmhouse's authentic feel. Lastly, a bold accent wall in the master bathroom, tiled with patterned Cementine Posa, demonstrates how to make a strong design statement without overpowering the space. Mounce advises limiting such bold statements to a single wall, such as behind a tub or sinks, rather than an entire area like a shower. Overall, Mounce’s design approach combines thoughtful planning, strategic material choices, and a curated mix of furnishings to create a harmonious, functional, and visually appealing home that balances modern aesthetics with organic warmth and personal character. #ModernFarmhouse #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #BoulderHomes #NeutralPalette #OrganicModern #TextureInDesign #FunctionalSpaces #LindaMounce

The article introduces modern cottage style, a contemporary evolution of traditional cottage interiors and farmhouse aesthetics. This design trend blends the cozy, rustic charm of cottage homes with sleek, modern sensibilities, offering a fresh twist on classic comfort. Unlike Cottagecore, which can lean towards an abundance of patterns and heavy furnishings, modern cottage style emphasizes clean lines, subtle textures, and functional pieces, maintaining an airy and uncluttered feel. Designers appreciate its ability to balance old and new, creating spaces that are both warm and sophisticated. Key elements of modern cottage style include a focus on cool-toned neutrals such as soft whites, muted grays, and hints of black or blue. These colors provide a calming backdrop for layering and allow for vibrant pops of color through accessories and artwork. The style also incorporates natural materials like wood paneling and stone floors. It encourages a mix-and-match approach to eras and design styles, seamlessly integrating vintage finds with modern silhouettes. This creates a layered and curated aesthetic, where mid-century pieces can coexist with antique elements, and contemporary decor complements more traditional, English countryside-inspired items. Preserving original architectural features is another crucial aspect of modern cottage design. Elements like exposed ceiling beams, fireplaces, and original wooden or flagstone floors are celebrated and integrated into the contemporary scheme. These features add character, texture, and depth, telling the home's history while contrasting with newer, functional elements. Antique furniture and decor are juxtaposed with modern designs, contributing to a unique, eclectic, and timeless aesthetic. Ultimately, modern cottage style prioritizes comfort and an inviting ambiance. While embracing sleek lines and simplicity, every room is designed to encourage relaxation. This is achieved through the use of soft fabrics like linen and wool, ample cushions, throws, and carefully considered soft lighting. The design creates a space that feels like a retreat from daily life, emphasizing mental well-being. The versatility of this style lies in its ability to balance pared-back neutrals, a blend of old and new, and an unwavering commitment to comfort, making it both stylish and timeless. #ModernCottageStyle #InteriorDesign #CottagecoreEvolution #TransitionalDesign #NeutralPalette #VintageModernMix #OriginalFeatures #ComfortCentric #HomeDecorTrends