Project Muse

Can you guys do soft neutral colors?

That was the opening line of this dear friend whose last couple of homes we had helped design.

Well, of course, what good is an actor who can only do comedy and not drama?

Thus, the project was ours to prove our ability to play in neutrals!

Noteworthy Moment

How to add charm to a newly constructed house full of soffits and less exciting architectural elements?

Lean into them! We carried the wallpaper and paint all the way to the ceiling making the soffits feel like an interesting architectural feature rather than an awkward ceiling line. The drapes were mounted directly onto them to bring the wall height as high as possible. In the dining room, the soffit made for the perfect landing place for a lattice detail. For the family room, we added coffered ceilings to help provide division to the open space layout where the kitchen shared a ceiling line. We also closed off an awkward diagonal wall to create a cozy nook for a secretary in the corner of the room. A reconfigured mudroom allowed for a cubby system in place of a row of builderesque closets. Mirrored backing to the existing walnut bookcases in the library created a dry bar zone within the room.

There is something to be said for the magic of a complete gut renovation. But in this case, we were dazzled by the magic of embracing the features and allowing them to work for us and ultimately create a less expected traditional room.