Single room featuring white walls discovered in assertive and captivating Philadelphia residence; homeowners may have scaled down living space, yet their distinctive style remains expansive.
A cheerful transformation breathes new life into a French Colonial property in a Philadelphia suburb, as a couple in their 60s embrace a vibrant color palette in their downsized, one-floor home. The fresh makeover, skillfully executed by Melissa Urdang Bodie of Melissa & Miller Interiors, turns a once monotonous white canvas into a kaleidoscope of vivid hues.
The kitchen sets the tone with a soft, calming sage green, serving as a welcoming backdrop for designer Melissa's thoughtful touches. These include bespoke cabinet fronts and handcrafted hardware from Hoffman Hardware, along with striking window treatments, Farrow & Ball's Eddy paint, and de Gournay wallpaper. A newly installed porcelain counter/backsplash adds a touch of softness without sacrificing style.
The kitchen's airy vibrancy extends into the adjoining breakfast room, where a solid oak stave dining table and de Gournay wallpaper remind us of the kitchen's practical nature. The home's composition achieves an ideal balance between refinement and relaxed livability.
In the combined kitchen-diner, the emphasis on buffet-style millwork houses all essential utensils for entertaining, while custom-designed built-ins provide ample counter and storage space. The chairs come from Palecek, decked out in a Brooke Perigon fabric.
Brightening up the living room is a collection of colorful furniture pieces that stand out strikingly against its original white walls. Cuff Studio rope globe lights serve as the design's foundation, with custom-designed wrap-around bookshelves, a rug by Erik Lindstrom, and a custom Maiden Home sofa completing the space.
Dubbed the 'den,' the smaller living room exudes a cozy atmosphere with its deep teal color scheme (Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue) that encases both the ceiling and walls. A Lawson Fenning pendant light tops the custom ottoman, while the drapes are made from a Colefax and Fowler fabric.
Altering the flow between the living room and the smaller sitting room was crucial for a more natural ambiance that accommodates the clients' love for entertainment. To create a dedicated home bar, Melissa reimagined the initially awkward space as a stylish cigar bar, complete with pocket doors to improve flow. A sophisticated warmth envelops the room, thanks to Farrow & Ball's Brinjal hue and top-notch bar accessories from Hoffman Hardware and Thomas Hayes.
The elegant main bedroom showcases a soothing pale blue color scheme, complemented by minimal, clean-lined furniture that contributes to an overall calm and rejuvenating atmosphere. A few notable accessories include Urban Electric flushmount and wall sconces, Lawson Fenning nightstands, Pierre Frey bed fabric, and a Philip Jeffries grasscloth wall covering.
Adjoining the main bedroom is a peaceful sitting corner that now serves as an extra reading nook. This charming space, adorned with a floral Fromental wallpaper, Colefax and Fowler window treatments, Urban Electric hanging light and wall lights, Brunschwig & Fils chair fabric, and a Croft House dresser, beautifully fulfills the homeowners' brief for comfortable reading nooks while also aiding in the division of the previously cavernous bedroom.
The colorful transformation comes to a lively finish with a bathroom boasting racing green tiles from Zia. Urban Electric sconces illuminate the space, while the reeded vanity hails from Perlato. Overall, the completed project exudes a multifaceted harmony of bold style, warmth, and functionality that caters to evening entertaining and relaxed leisure with the family's grandchildren and two dogs in mind.
Shop the Look
- To create a similarly styled living room, consider the Safavieh Patterson accent table in orange.
- For a smart edge in the bathroom, the Moroccan Zellige floor and wall tiles in 'deep forest' from Wayfair are a good match.
- The blue Roxbury six-drawer dresser shares a striking resemblance with the sitting room attached to the main bedroom.
- The velvet swivel bar stool is an ideal choice for a bar stool with glamorous elegance.
- Pottery Barn's Max Upholstered Bench works well as a window seat or at the foot of the bed in the primary bedroom.
- An alternative to the delicate chinoiserie-style botanical wallcovering in the kitchen and dining nook is a leafy mural with similar surroundings.
Interior design: Melissa & Miller InteriorsPhotography: Brian Wetzel
The interior design project, skillfully executed by Melissa & Miller Interiors, brings a vibrant color palette into the homeowners' downsized, one-floor home, transforming it from a monotonous white canvas into a kaleidoscope of liveliness. This fresh makeover, extending from the kitchen to the living room, bathroom, and main bedroom, offers a multifaceted harmony of bold style, warmth, and functionality, catering to evening entertaining and relaxed leisure. The completed home, now a mockup of relishing relaxation, also meets the family's needs with comfortable reading nooks and a dedicated home bar, all while maintaining a harmonious balance between refinement and relaxed livability.
