“Once I walked inside, I fell in love.”
I love this house tour - it might be one of my favorites from Architectural Digest’s “Open Door” series. This is the perfect example of how a home can grow and evolve every day… and in this case, right up until filming. There are several spots that both Shay and her “life-stylist”, Chad Wood, mention were finalized just hours before AD arrived to the house, including painting the fireplace.
Stepping into the Foyer, you’ll notice the dramatic 1,000 lb. chandelier and the original tile staircase. The subtle painted beam detail adds just enough texture without distracting your eye. From there, leads you straight into the comfortably fabulous Formal Living Room. Here Shay draws your attention to her favorite item in the room - a brass sphere chandelier that, at night, sprinkles light specks onto every surface throughout the room. She brings Chad in to discuss more about the space that he helped curate with her. He brings attention to the myriad of items that are new, old, and collected over the years to create a cohesive and well-traveled look. It’s easy to see how the mix of worn leather sofa, crisp marble cocktail table, and vintage petrified tree stump accent table, create this magical juxtaposition of pieces.
Photo by Jenna Peffley
The Dining Room takes a more minimal approach with a long raw wood table surrounded by newly purchased Scandinavian dining chairs. Brass sconces flank either side of the entry and dresses up an otherwise plain wall, while a white pedestal with flower arrangement graces the corner of the room for a subtle pop of color. I love the simplicity of the room, but I would have loved to see the room dressed up with white linen drapery. Just enough to add dimension but nothing to take away from the minimalist feel of the room. I could also see an oversized piece of art where the sconces live, maybe pushing them closer to the arched opening. For a more dramatic look, painting the entire room (yes even the ceiling) in a dark, moody color could have created a nice contrasting transition between the light Formal Living Room to the bright, white Kitchen. This is a trick I personally like to do to pass through spaces because it adds intrigue and drama without taking away from either of the spaces.
Photo by Jenna Peffley
The Kitchen is one of my favorite rooms in this house. The perimeter of the room is covered in white subway tile and off-white cabinets, while an oversized black island grounds the space. The inside of the glass cabinets are painted a charcoal gray which contrasts beautifully with the white porcelain dinnerware inside. A small banquet in the corner finishes off the kitchen with a subtle touch.
Photo by Jenna Peffley
Off the Kitchen is the dark and moody “Entertainment Room” which boasts a large custom, green velvet sectional. The room is decorated with crystals, candles, and various collected-over-time accessories. There is a leather basinet in the corner by the colorfully sectioned bookcase. The color blocking of the bookcase adds a sense of fun while keeping a cohesive and sophisticated look. Through a dramatic rounded arch is a small room converted into a bar. The wallpaper surrounding the room is both colorful and bold without feeling too juvenile. The stocked brass shelving and brass cabinet below help to ground the space. The built-in nook houses a record player and diverse record collection. I personally feel no home is complete without a collection of records. I think it’s a great way to incorporate some of your favorite songs and albums in a timeless and entertaining fashion. There is nothing better than having a party and someone thumbs through your records, putting one on that brings nostalgia or something to set the mood.
Photo by Jenna Peffley
The next room in the tour might be one of the most sophisticated and well-designed nurseries I’ve ever seen. The mauve walls allows for the space to feel feminine without feeling overly cutesy or girly. The built-in closet and day bed allow for the room to grow with Atlas (her daughter) or for guests to stay over. The brass crib adds another feminine touch without feeling too bling-y or over the top. It’s very easy nowadays to over do it with the brass trend and this is the perfect example of how to add brass touches without making every accent brass or gold. The woven staggered pendants over the daybed add contrast and help to soften the mauve color scheme. The room is completed with a gallery wall of black and white photos of varying sizes for an elegant, but not overly stuffy vibe.
Photo by Jenna Peffley
Ending the house tour with Shay’s favorite part, the Master Bedroom. The custom bed covered in a camel mohair contrasts the soft tan walls. The nightstands and rug pull in some more camel accents to anchor the room further. Like all the other rooms throughout the house, you can see various collected accents around the room including a mother of pearl inlay vanity chair.
Photo by Jenna Peffley
This house boasts great examples of how you can have a sophisticated home without feeling stuffy or overdone. The neutral color palette with bold, moody accents ground each room and creates continuity throughout. The use of old and new furniture, lighting, and accessories gives a sense of effortlessness as well as being well-traveled. Using these techniques, you too can have a home that is dynamic and ever-changing. If the task seems too daunting to handle on your own, give us a call and we’ll do all the “heavy lifting” for you!