Relaxed and Stylish
Clever use of color sparks a new home’s traditional architecture
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Bold paisley wallpaper wraps around the foyer’s classic off-white
molding. Green, seen in the upholstery fabric and urn, is an accent throughout the home.
Once you find a great designer you trust, stick with her. That's homeowner Anna Bengtson's advice. "We actually delayed building our new house for a few months until we knew Kathryn Chaplow would be available," says Bengtson, who had previously partnered with the Grand Rapids, Michigan–based interiors expert on several projects, including her family's remodeled lake home.
Bengtson, a homemaker, and her husband, Brad, a cosmetic surgeon, working with local architect Jeff Visser, wanted to build a primary residence tailored to their family's busy lifestyle—they have three children and a baby on the way. The Bengtsons loved the look Chaplow gave their vacation cottage but craved a more sophisticated—yet still comfortable—style for their new open-plan, 5,500-square-foot Tudor.
"Rather than having both formal and informal rooms, Anna wanted to elevate the everyday to a higher level," says Chaplow. The designer's assignment: Create a fresh, colorful decor against the backdrop of traditional architecture and finishes, such as ivory-painted millwork and hand-scraped solid walnut floors. For her part, the homeowner contributed to the collaboration by sharing her collection of inspirational magazine clippings and fabric swatches, and supplying additional suggestions along the way that melded with Chaplow's experience, instincts, and savvy. "Kathryn and I are on the same wavelength," Bengtson says.
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