A Play Of Primary Colors In A Cobble Hill Brownstone

A boring beige parlor with loads of potential gets a breathe of fresh air from a play of primary colors in a brownstone on a tree-lined block of Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.

The owners of this beautiful brownstone desired a sophisticated, but family-friendly design for their parlor level.  While the husband had a discerning eye squarely focused on mid-century modern gems, the wife longed for traditional elements to be incorporated into the clean, modern space.  

My design plan sought to marry the two divergent style parameters through a careful balance of old and new, with the use of bold primary colors to inject life and personality into the stark space. One of my favorite juxtapositions is the William Morris heritage print used on accent pillows paired with the boldly contemporary painting anchoring the central seating area. They span over 100 years in conception, but the pairing of these pieces with a shared color palette raises the whole to a higher level.

The final design mix includes 19th-century prints, regency inspired soft-goods, mid-century modern lighting and case pieces, treasured family heirlooms, and contemporary furnishings - all anchored by a cohesive palette of red, yellow, and blue.

The beautiful marble fireplace surround is a design trick: we added the reclaimed marble mantel to a plain wall, bringing a dose of old world charm to complement the antique cabinet at the entry.

This project was featured as a Room of the Week on Houzz.com.