Historic homes have such great bones.
Our clients recently purchased this beautiful Georgian circa 1912, and because the home was so well-built and designed (in fact, by the same architect who designed the village’s city hall), no major renovations were necessary. Instead, we delighted in breathing new life into the gathering spaces of the home.
Three of those spaces–the breakfast nook, cocktail room and dining room–surround an exterior courtyard, bringing beautiful light into the home and providing ample opportunities for guests to wander in and out through multiple spaces during get togethers.
In the cocktail room–quickly becoming a Park & Oak signature–the abundant light allowed us to choose a mid-tone color for the walls, ceiling and trim, making the room cozy for conversation and libations without being gloomy. As a guest walks through the home, this little jewel box beckons from the back. The room is full of art and objects curated by the owner, an avid antique and vintage collector, and these personal touches help the room feel intentional for this family.
Our clients frequently entertain large groups, so the dining room includes an expandable table to seat extra guests. The Morris & Co. wallpaper gives a touch of elegance to the room, while the layering of natural and upholstered material for the chairs keeps the room from feeling too formal for this unfussy family.
The breakfast nook is a hub of activity. To maximize comfort in this much-used space, we added an upholstered piece for lingering. (Performance fabrics work miracles for families!) The softness of the sofa pairs with the stone table and woven chairs for a space that has just the right balance of polish and practicality. Because this nook is offset by a cased opening, the dark ceiling helps delineate the space from the kitchen while also drawing special attention to it.
And finally, the family room includes a hanging gallery wall, intentionally designed so our client can rotate their art collection without the nuisance of holes in the wall.
