Designer Lindsey Colhoun Creates Her Own Sanctuary

As the founder of her namesake firm, interior designer Lindsey Colhoun is practiced at creating spaces that truly feel like home — spaces where warm neutrals, livable materials, and a welcoming sense of soul set both the palette and the pace of living. Her signature approach took center stage when she set out to transform what was originally intended as a temporary home into a lasting haven for one very special family: her own.

Here, the designer shares her thoughts on what makes her house — or any house — a home.

Project objective…

The goal has always been to create a sanctuary that feels both timeless and personal, a place where my family can gather and relax while still reflecting my aesthetic as a designer. When I purchased this home eight years ago, it was meant to be a temporary, transitional space, and it was honestly not desirable in any way aesthetically. It had many flaws in design, flow and functionality. Over time, I transformed this dated tract house by layering in custom detailing and reworking the layout and functionality inside and out. Now I truly love this home and see myself here for many more years. There are always ideas for evolving with the space. Every decision, from the flow of the rooms to the finishes, marries functionality with a sense of quiet luxury we can grow with, and the spaces feel layered yet restrained with thoughtful textures and subtle details rather than overt statements.

The power of a neutral palette…

I start with foundational neutrals and soften the edges rather than creating stark contrasts. Matte finishes, natural stone and textured fabrics add depth and ground the space. Small shifts in tone, such as warm whites, taupes, varied browns and earth tones, make the palette feel bespoke rather than formulaic. I’m always drawn to understated yet warm spaces. For me, home is a place to unwind, relax, breathe, and enjoy.

The timelessness of a white kitchen…

A neutral kitchen endures because it acts as a blank canvas for living. It doesn’t compete for attention and allows you to highlight other elements such as hardware, lighting or a beautiful slab of stone over time. It’s also adaptable. Colors or accents can be refreshed, and it still feels current. For me, a neutral kitchen is less about trend and more about longevity and light. In all my designs, I think ahead about how a space can transition into warmer palettes and evolve when I am ready to shift.

Warm compliments…

…add soul. Without warmth and dimension, a space can feel sterile, even with warmer whites. Combining the right tones, textures, metals, and woods tells a story and brings in patina and imperfections. Those tactile qualities ground the space and make it feel lived in rather than staged.

The exterior experience…

I created an extension of the interiors that feels casual yet curated. Layered seating areas, textural fabrics that can handle the elements and lighting that softens as the sun sets invite people to linger. It’s a place for morning coffee, entertaining and everything in between. The goal is to make it feel like a natural continuation of the home rather than a separate zone. I spent a tremendous amount of time redesigning my backyard and it is truly magical.

Photography by Public 311.

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