Call it a reawakening. That was the overarching desire when homeowners in Purchase, New York, sought the vision of designer Lauren Johnson to transform their cookie-cutter house, full of gaping spaces and flat walls, into a welcoming home rich with character and comfort for their young family of four. “The homeowners entertain friends and family very often,” Johnson explains, “so it was important that their home was not only beautiful and a place they would be proud to show but also homey and super comfortable and functional.”
Scale and detail were major themes during this redesign. Johnson calls the preexisting home a “typical builder-grade, 90s McMansion,” complete with “poor-quality moldings and devoid of any other millwork.” All walls were painted a cold, industrial gray, and the open yet awkward floor plan simply wasn’t working. Johnson’s design decisions took the vast feeling of wide-open spaces, like the double-height foyer, down to what the designer describes as more of a human scale. “Gymnasium-size spaces rarely feel right to me,” Johnson states, noting that at first, the homeowners were hesitant to create distinct spaces. Ultimately, however, the decision to delineate was “probably the best thing we did, especially between the kitchen, breakfast area and family room. It allowed us to treat each space with its own distinct flair.”
That flair is experienced through a sumptuous layering of texture, material and palette, much of which was sourced locally and brought in to infuse the home with story and soul. “Color and pattern were the first things I thought about for this house,” Johnson recalls, noting the owners – repeat clients whose style she knows well – didn’t have a specific aesthetic direction in mind for this project. She used classic William Morris-inspired wallpaper to both evoke the past and lend a warm visual layer, while jewel tones were enlisted for the living and dining rooms to take the interiors away from their cold gray past. In the family room, a previously blank area was transformed into a welcoming built-in nook whose walnut construction is met with a whimsical, embroidered textile. The cozy new spot has become a favorite in the household.
Johnson’s belief in the importance of selecting items that span design periods and styles is well supported in every area of the new and now timeless home. It’s that blend of the contemporary with the antique, she believes, that creates a feeling of authenticity. “This is the best way to achieve a unique vibe in both new and old homes. Pieces with a true patina add so much interest. Plus, it’s a way that we can lessen our impact on the environment.”
Most importantly, the style of the reawakened home reflects the way this family lives, perhaps best exemplified by the living room, which the owners didn’t want to feel too formal. It’s a space where they can relax as a family, but it’s also special enough to entertain friends and work colleagues. Simply stated, a richly layered canvas for a life enjoyed.
Photography by Fyodor Shiryaev.
Styling by Louisa Fulkerson.
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