Tucked into the picturesque rolling hills of New York’s Westchester County, we’re thrilled to be working on a home that carries the architectural DNA of McKim, Mead & White – the legendary firm behind many iconic buildings including the original Penn Station and the Boston Public Library. The new owners (a vibrant couple in their 30s with young children) are honoring the home’s history while bringing a bold, fresh vibe that aptly reflects their personalities and complements its features. Gone are the heavy drapes, dodgy wall coverings, and formal atmosphere. We’re working on quite the refresh, transforming the home into a space that’s playful, modern, and embraces fun.
Since our last progress update, we’ve been working diligently to transform our designs into reality at the client’s pace of comfort.
“I love transforming homes over time, allowing the creative process to unfold organically and uncover just the right pieces along the way,” says Marina Case, The Red Shutters’ principal designer. “This is a true family home with a warm, lived-in feel, rooted in exceptional architectural bones and featuring high-quality materials. It’s a project evolving thoughtfully over several years, with every layer adding richness and authenticity to the story we’re telling.”
The Living Room – From Design to Daily Life
Our vision for the living room is taking shape. The walls, which we painted in soothing Benjamin Moore Greenhow Blue from the Williamsburg collection, set the tone. The green sofas add to the tranquil vibe, while the zebra print chairs infuse a pop of fun – perfect for this couple who have an enthusiasm for all things animal. The botanical curtains which incorporate birds bring colorful visual interest to the room and complement the stunning pastoral views of the property peeking through the windows.
Playful Playroom Design
Designing the playroom was all about embracing whimsy without sacrificing style. The result is a place where creativity can run wild while blending seamlessly with the aesthetic of the rest of the home. The cheerful yellow walls set a playful tone. We paired them with soft light blue trim – a fresh contrast that adds a sense of calm and balance. Anchoring the room is a bright, multi-colored area rug that brings in energy and ties the color story together, grounding the space with texture. We dressed the windows in vibrant jungle-print Roman shades that inspire adventure, then layered the print with coordinating cushions on the window seat, perfect for curling up with a book. To keep the theme going, we also incorporated colorful, animal fabric covered ottomans. This space is designed to grow with the children while remaining effortlessly chic.
Windows with Personality and Punch
We’ve also been busy styling other windows throughout the home. In the family room / kitchen area, vibrant window treatments featuring pops of bright pink, yellow, and green inject a playful, lively vibe – perfect for the family hub.
Meanwhile, the primary suite offers a serene retreat, where tranquil botanical print drapes for the bedroom and peacock-inspired roman shades for the bathroom introduce subtle visual interest and a calming connection to nature. The French return rods and the black out lining are ideal for the bedroom as they allow for full light block.
Together, these choices reflect the home’s dynamic personality, balancing boldness with moments of peaceful sophistication.
Lighting that Makes a Statement
As you can see from the image of the primary bathroom above, we have also made progress with the main lighting sources. We are in love with that room’s gold chandelier. Additional lighting fixtures add an artful presence throughout the home.
A Peek at the Bathrooms
The design of the library bathroom combines a burl wood animal effect vanity with more playful animal prints in the wallpaper, while the playroom bathroom exudes a timeless, classical feel.
Finishing Up the Foyer
The foyer is also taking shape. A mirror has been artfully placed across from the staircase to reflect light up to a darker space. The jeweled frame adds whimsy and color, and beautifully complements the Benjamin Moore Billowy Down painted walls. Now, we just need to choose the carpet.
Ready to Get Started Transforming Your Space?
There are so many ways in addition to pattern to breathe fresh life into a home. View my Portfolio to see more examples of my interior design projects and follow us on Instagram for more interior design inspiration.
