The right colors immediately update a room and create a lasting space that will stand the test of time,” says interior designer Ashley Shaw. This theory proves true for her clients who had just moved into a very traditional Georgian-style home in need of updating.
Her clients are partial to blues and greens, so Shaw emphasizes those colors throughout the home. “It’s important to highlight specific colors throughout the house to pull your eye through,” Shaw avers. “It creates a smoother transition and whets your palate for what’s next.”
The emerald-green velvet of the custom-made sectional sets the tone for the family room, which features a large Chinese antique hand-painted screen that “brings so much life and color to the room.” The floral fabric of the Charles Stewart club chairs ties together all of the colors in the room.
Shaw transformed a closet under the stairs into a sophisticated bar by removing brass doors, arching the opening, and adding a sink and cabinetry. The sky-blue paint color complements the club-chair fabric, and the mirrored backsplash reflects the vibrant hues of the family room.
The bespoke jade color on the dining-room walls offers a luminous backdrop for the antique family heirloom table and chairs. Shaw selected a vivid yellow leather to modernize the chair seats, instantly elevating their style.The dark-red lacquered walls of the powder room are a stark contrast to the bright blues and greens throughout the rest of the house. The rich browns of the Schumacher Tortoise wallpaper contribute to the warmth of the small space. “You are enveloped by the dark colors and dramatic mood. It feels exotic,” Shaw explains.
Shaw is a firm believer that color is the easiest way to personalize the interior of a home. “Color brings different feelings to people, whether it is lively and energizing or peaceful and calming,” Shaw says. “You choose the colors that make you happy, and the rest falls into place.”