Bright Light Living

This family called us in to help with their new build and it was such a pleasure. Throughout the space we used one of my favorite wall colors of all time: Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray. Along with Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray, these colors provide the perfect neutral backdrop for all the shades. All of them. It hasn't failed me yet. You try not to do the same thing over and over but you also have to respect what works. You know? 

These two colors are the perfect mix of warm and cool. They teeter the tot of gray and beige right in the middle without either one being propelled into the sky by that jerk who decided to push off with all of their might taking over what was a really nice teeter (I really don't know what kind of action teeter tottering is. Is it a ride? a game? Or if this illustration will resonate with anyone. I just never understood why it was so hard to find someone on the play ground that could just have a nice, slow, teeter tot with me). Talking about about middle ground greiges is apparently triggering some bad playground memories that seem to have nothing to do with what we are talking about... but they do. These colors are calm and easy and play well with others, and that's all I'm trying to say. Moving on. 

Worldly Gray SW 7043

Amazing Gray SW 7044

We created a welcoming entry mixing metal tones, color and lots of texture. Here are some pointers on entry ways that I always like to stick to. 

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Three Tips for Creating an Inviting Entry 

1. Represent the colors that are throughout the rest of your home. 

Throughout the main living space of this home, oranges, blues and golds are used in various ways. We took those colors and combined them in the entry way to make the rest of the living space feel cohesive as you enter other rooms. This is especially effective in open concept living spaces such as this one. Think of it as the invitation the party where you introduce the theme and give people an idea of what they are getting into. I don't know about you, but I totally judge what a party will be like by the invite. 

2. Maximize the function of the space.

I think art can totally be functional, in that it makes me really happy and it can set the tone for a space, so I have no problem with taking up a lot of real estate to showcase art. However, in order to maximize the use of spaces and make them functional for families, they need to be more than pretty. We used this console table and added a tray where a guest's keys can be thrown as you walk in the front door. A lamp adds warmth and a plant adds some life. We tucked two stools under the table to function as extra seating for the living space. When entertaining these stools can be pulled around the coffee table for games or in front of the television for football. 

3. Introduce the family. 

I think entry ways are one of the best places to represent the family who lives in the home. Whether its a table full of family photos, a gallery wall, or a more abstract introduction such as these silhouettes that welcome you as you walk in the front door. We used these silhouettes that my mom makes for many of our clients as a way to introduce the family into the space along with color and texture. 

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In the living area we kept it up with our neutral base and added color with accessories. We brought in pops of yellow, blue and green with textiles. 

Choosing lighting in this project was one of my favorite favorite parts of the process. The clients were not afraid to mix styles and metal tones and you know that's my jam. Ok, the husband was a little scared. We made it though and I love the mix. 

One of the main requests from these clients was that somewhere in the space we had a gallery wall. This large wall in the dining area was the perfect spot to play up our theme of mixed wood and metal tones and I think it's one of the clients favorite things we did. In a post soon, I'll break down my tips and tricks to creating the perfect mix on a gallery wall.  

These huge-a-mongus (roll with it) lamps were basically the HomeGoods find of the century and are just killer. KILLER. Or course, we tasseled 'em up and called it a day. 

On top of it's kitchen duties, this space acts as homework, office, and entertaining headquarters so it was important that the space was friendly for all of these activities. We kept things light and bright and popped color here and there. 

We chose Sherwin Williams Shoji White for the cabinets. It's a soft creamy white that plays well with grays and doesn't lean into the realm of yellow in any way. I don't like it when they do that. Yellowy white looks old and yucky and I don't think old and yucky is what anyone sets out to accomplish. But hey, you do you, if that's what you're into. 

Shoji White SW 7042 

Sherwin Williams Tempe Star is what we chose for the island and I don't think I could love it anymore than I do. We paired White Maucaubas Quartzite with a warm butchers block and kept our mix rolling. A hand-poured tile on the backsplash adds texture and keeps things from feeling too sleek with our more traditional cabinetry. 

Tempe Star SW 6229

Photos by Cleland Studios 

And there it is. A living space full of light and color used in healthy doses. Cheers, friends! 

XO, Amanda Louise