17 Nov A Soft Contemporary Remodeling Project
My clients rely on me to create a style for their home from their desires and particular tastes. A remodeling project can be more difficult, and more interesting, because the existing space places constraints on what can be done. Recently, my clients wanted to transform their dark, traditional-style lake home into a bright contemporary space for their family. They had several existing art pieces they wanted to incorporate, as well as an orange accent color they loved. I approached this design with a soft contemporary feel in mind, as many traditional elements would remain. Creating a transitional style would wed the old house with the new look.
I chose a neutral color palette of varying shades, patterns and textures of grays and creams. The lighter colors brightened the rooms significantly. The orange would be a very bold punch wherever it was used, so I found ways to integrate the accent in small ways, spreading out its impact.
Each room was a delicate balancing act of color, texture, and accessories. In the living room, the view of their pond and the artwork above the fireplace mantel became the focal points. Adding smaller background touches around the room was key to a rich design that could have otherwise been flat and boring. We remodeled the fireplace with textured marble, adding a dimension of interest without taking attention away from the painting. Soft drapery panels with small orange bands spread the accent color from the painting to the other wall. To add bling, I chose a polished nickel finish for the coffee table and nail heads on the sofa, a metal warmer than chrome but shinier than brushed nickel. The last two accessories that brought this room together were the organic touch of the green plant and my clients’ tall silver statue which we placed in opposite corners.
Before
The family room, small dining area, and kitchen combine into one great room. Here I blended playful aspects with practical ones—my clients entertain often and have growing kids, so they will benefit from items such as the vinyl-covered bar stools and ottomans.
Before
To make the space more accommodating for mingling, we took out a dining table that sat behind the sofa and replaced it with animal-cut fabric chairs. The polka-dot pillows and patterned chairs are small details that contribute to the more casual atmosphere we wanted in this room. I also found a home for an old orange typewriter my clients owned, placing it on a table against the wall between the kitchen and sitting area. My philosophy on home decor is to never get rid of things that have personal meaning to my clients, rather to incorporate important memorabilia directly into the design.
The kitchen was one of the rooms that underwent the most transformation—all without having to gut it completely. My clients wanted a more functional space while limiting the budget in this particular area. We kept most of the traditional-style cabinets, counter tops and appliances, but replaced the kitchen island and the lighting. The backs of the bar stools have added square detail which echo the look of the kitchen cabinets. Read more about the kitchen project here.
Before
Another room that changed drastically was the study, which became the music room. My clients were very excited by the idea of having their own, relaxing room separate from the large family-oriented spaces. Again, tweaking the furniture and changing only part of the cabinets made a huge difference in functionality and style without having to go all out with the budget. We kept most of the original cabinets, but painted them and removed a built-in desk to create perfectly symmetrical shelves. We moved the piano into this room and kept the furniture simple, only adding ottomans to the existing chairs. The final touches were installing library lights, new wallpaper, and little green and orange accessories throughout the shelves.
The dining room was right off the entryway, but because of its tangerine-stained oak floor, it felt very disconnected from the rest of the house. We stripped the floors and brought in the dark walnut-stained flooring from the entryway. The warm color contrasted nicely with the light palette. The chandelier and artwork set the mood for the room, and everything else acted as a neutral backdrop. I chose the side board piece below the painting specifically for this room as it combines the other elements in the space.
Built of dark wood, it is overlaid with textured gray metal that resembles sharkskin, making it an interesting piece in its own right, but not in a distracting way. I finished this room with neutral chairs and floor covering, and cream sheers to filter the natural light and soften the room.
Before
The half-bath originally had gold walls and a traditional vanity with a big carved mirror over it. I wanted to make this small space look as big as possible, so I created a tone-on-tone design that would visually push the walls back and bring only a couple of bright elements to the front. We reconstructed the vanity in a simpler style, covered the walls with patterned gray wall paper, added sparkly crystal-like sconces, and orange artwork for the final punch.
The house now has a very peaceful appearance and welcoming vibe that is neither stagnate nor boring. The details left over from the traditional style feel elegant rather than stuffy. The distribution of color and textures are the main two elements that pull this design together, balancing the visual pops with the softer gray textures. Especially using such a bold color as this orange for an accent, counterbalance becomes vital. Placing a little bit of orange on the right will pull that color on the left in, leading you around the room subtly rather than jarring your senses with blasts of orange everywhere. With neutrals as the base, my clients can easily change out the orange with another accent color in the future. As a result of this balancing act, without relying too much on one material or color, there is a timelessness to the style, which will serve my clients well and keep them comfortable for a long time.
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