I am working on a new project, where the homeowners are downsizing into a slightly smaller home, and as part of the move, they’ve decided to completely change the style of their decor.

They are moving from a traditional, formal look with rich colors and tones, to a contemporary, sleek, mostly white decor.  While most people make several style changes during their lifespan, this design change is a big one.   

In helping Richard and Henry create the look that they want, I developed a series of concept boards so they could envision their new space. Here’s a peek at a few before photos and inspiration boards, along with some of the design advice I shared with them.

Living Room:  The living room will be all white, with accents of red (a favorite color of the family).  We’ll downplay the wood floors with area rugs and add accessories that give the space personality.

• In room with a narrow color palette, the finishes and textures you into that space become a critical part of the design.  Make sure every element has a reason for being and that the textures make a statement.
• When selecting a white paint color for your walls, you MUST sample them first.  White is one of the trickiest colors to work with and can have a variety of undertones that pop out in different light.  Sampling the paint color and viewing it different times of day will help you choose the perfect one for your home and space.
• Texture will give the space depth and interest, without interfering with the color statement, so it’s important to incorporate it into your design plan.  The best options for adding texture are wall decor, textiles, lighting and accessories.
• Using a range of paint finishes will provide visual interest and give the wall surfaces more dimension.  We decided to use Sherwin Williams Snowbound (SW7004) on the walls, in an eggshell finish and again on all the trim work, but in a high-gloss finish.  The different finsihes will visually define the walls.

living room before

the brick will be painted

the living room inspiration

The Kitchen:  In the kitchen I recommended that the cabinets be painted grey, still providing a cool, contemporary feel while giving the space a bit more depth.

• Contemporary style kitchens work best when the overall look is simple and clean, allowing the finishes, hardware and details to be hero.  I recommended chrome and shiny silver hardware for that visual pop.

the kitchen before

the kitchen inspiration

The Bedroom:  Wanting their bedroom space to feel totally calming and relaxed, I selected a light grey color for the walls. The headboard will be upholstered in white and the linens will all be white.  We opted for grey faux silk curtain panels in the same tone as the wall to provide texture but keep the space serene.

To give a bedroom real style, pay attention to the details and make them count.  My homeowners wanted major bling to show up in the bedroom so we are doing a silver-leaf treatment on the tray ceiling and adding a stunning crystal chandelier.  Additional style will be added with mirrored night stands, decorative pillows and a white drawer console.

• Bedrooms are where texture can really make the space come to life.  Texture pillows, rug and the chandelier will give the space interest.
• Layering is also important in a bedroom–layer your linens and layer your accessories to give the space character and dimension

The Master Bathroom:  Playing off the grey that is being used in the master bedroom, and wanting to make sure the bathroom has its own distinct style, we opted to change the design of the shower, the countertops, hardware and finishes.

• To create drama in a bathroom, use materials that have alot of character–small glass tiles are a great option for a shower stall and provide an artist quality as well as added dimension
• Be bold with your hardware and lighting and mirror choices–these are elements that add alot of personality to a bathroom
• Keep your window treatments simple and classic–roman shades are a great option for bathroom windows

bathroom before

the cabinets will be painted Sherwin Williams Monorail Silver (SW 7663)

the shower stall will be redesigned with a curved wall made of glass blocks

the bathroom inspiration

The Home Office:  We are taking an upstairs loft area and turning it into a home office.  A wall will be added with french doors to close off the space.

• Office areas need to function well and look good in the process.  Make sure you don’t skimp of storage and organization elements because without these, the space will not work well or feel good.
• Use bookcases to add style to a home office.  Large wall units will give you storage and display space.

And last but not least, we’ll be adding personality pieces to make this home a reflection of the owners.

Whether you’re content with your design style or in the process of changing things up a bit, make sure to add elements that are a reflection of you and your personality. 

I’ll be sure to share the finished spaces when we’re all done.