[Photos by Cat Nguyen]
Client: A retired couple who loves to travel and were wanting a beautiful backdrop for their incredible collection of meaningful mementos, antiques, and art.
Space: The open-concept main level of the home.
Functional Objective: The couple wanted to delineate each space as its own within the open-concept floor plan, while creating a beautiful backdrop to highlight their passion for their hobbies and collections. We used a high back bench and rug to define the entry space. The stairs to the basement are open to the kitchen area, which provided a wonderful opportunity for a statement chandelier. We chose a piece which featured upcycled wine bottles, as the clients love to collect and enjoy wine. The chandelier is complemented by a subtle small-print wallpaper in the stairwell along with a plush, rich green carpet runner on the stairs.
Aesthetic Objective: Our clients love color and wanted to bring in as much as possible. We were strategic with bold color choices (a balance of blues, greens, and reds) while allowing each space to flow together beautifully. In the dining room, we had custom floral draperies made and painted the walls a soft, but rich, blue. Almost every piece in their home has an incredible story behind it – the dining table was crafted in Maine in the 1700s. The Windsor chairs had been custom-made and molded for the seats of this particular family. All of the art was part of their original collection and we had the pleasure of reframing some and rearranging it to suit the new design,
In the adjacent living space, we used their existing sofa and chairs and brought in a new custom loveseat to add more seating and color. The custom pillows were designed to tie everything together. The couple’s gorgeous collection of glass is highlighted in the built-ins, which we lined with a textural neutral wallpaper to add a bit of depth, without distracting from the pieces of art.
A set of custom drapes and a new light fixture brings life and style to the breakfast nook.
Highlights: The strategic use of colors in these areas allows our clients’ collection of art and antiques to turn heads, creating that beautiful backdrop they desired.
