Going big with color and patterns doesn’t have to be scary, but it does require thoughtful planning according to Denise Davies of D2 Interieurs in Weston, CT.
She believes that the secret to success is to be strategic. “I go bold on the elements of a room that have the greatest impact,” says Davies. “I tend to choose one or two ‘wow’ factors and have the other elements layer upon those. Too many wow pieces will literally cancel each other out.”
For this project in Rye, Davies bumped up the drama with look-at-me wallpaper, lighting, and art. “That doesn’t mean the furniture and other elements are boring, but we intentionally used interesting shapes and textures for the furnishings so they’d support the graphic wallpaper, not compete with it.”
Davies suggests starting with “neutral bones” in a home’s main spaces like living and dining rooms, using neutral shades for sofas, rugs, and paint, and layering on the color with art and accessories. “We do embrace scale, shape, and overall design to give the sofas personality, but you definitely won’t see any bright red sofas in our homes!” she says, adding that “kids’ rooms, playrooms, and sometimes family rooms are where we use color more.”
Case in point: The dining room’s Kelly Wearstler wallpaper makes a huge statement—it’s the first thing you see when you enter the house. “It’s art within itself,” says Davies. But dynamic choices don’t have to be saturated or wild; the window treatments throughout the lower level are all coollooking, sheer fabrics from Holly Hunt. “They give the rooms dimension and create a moody, sophisticated feel,” says Davies. Her choice for the butler’s pantry was a wallpaper that complemented the dining room but wasn’t too matchy.
The mudroom is another opportunity to make a statement, according to Davies. “The patterned tiles make the room feel much larger than it is,” she says. “We designed the custom built-ins—one for each child. When you open them there is a surprise as each one is a different shade of blue creating an ombre effect.”
Davies also believes that lighting should be treated as artwork. “Each room must stand alone and compliment the adjoining rooms,” she says. “I would never use glass balls or metal in all the rooms. I love the light installation by Lee Broom in this home’s dining room. It’s actually three different pieces that we installed together—this is art!”
In the entry, she balanced the moon light from The Future Perfect with a five-light sconce that is equally striking. “Somehow the two complement each other perfectly and don’t overpower each other,” she says.
“I honestly love every room in this home, but I really love how the entryway sets the tone for all the other rooms adjoining it,” says Davies of the project. “When you walk into this house, the first thing you see is that amazing family room with those curtains which set the vibe—and they let you know that you’re in for something special.”
