Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Elegant Colonial in North Carolina
Sophisticated yet sturdy enough for kids, this Raleigh colonial has a calming and comfortable feel
When Mousami and Nitin Gupta bought their colonial-style house, they wanted to transition the beige-walled space to a kid-friendly yet sophisticated home for their family. After several unsuccessful shopping trips, Mousami felt overwhelmed by too many ideas and styles, so the couple hired interior designer Lauren McKay of Design Lines. "Lauren helped tell our story through each room, helping us define our own personal style," she says. "We were finally able to bring excitement and character to our home."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mousami and Nitin Gupta and their 2 kids
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 5,600 square feet; 7 bedrooms; home theater
That's Interesting: This house was part of a Parade of Homes tour.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Mousami and Nitin Gupta and their 2 kids
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Size: 5,600 square feet; 7 bedrooms; home theater
That's Interesting: This house was part of a Parade of Homes tour.
McKay added a modern, floral wallpaper from Seabrook to make the front living room a fresh and inviting space. Gupta says, "My newly finished living room does everything for me by fusing a contemporary vibe with chic sophistication. The wallpaper is my favorite part of this room."
RF: How did you pick your paint or color palette?
MG: Having been a Parade home, the wall colors were chosen for us when we moved in. With our designer’s help, we found ways to bring in some cool neutrals and other colors. It’s amazing what paint can do to a room! My husband and I like calming colors, but we needed to break free from the neutral palette. I think we were able to bring the right balance of color into our home.
Side tables: Arteriors and Stanley Furniture; pillows: Lee Industries
RF: How did you pick your paint or color palette?
MG: Having been a Parade home, the wall colors were chosen for us when we moved in. With our designer’s help, we found ways to bring in some cool neutrals and other colors. It’s amazing what paint can do to a room! My husband and I like calming colors, but we needed to break free from the neutral palette. I think we were able to bring the right balance of color into our home.
Side tables: Arteriors and Stanley Furniture; pillows: Lee Industries
Hints of natural elements and textures bring the modern twist the Guptas wanted for their traditional home. An Arteriors twig side table and barnacle décor from Furbish complement the plush taupe sofa.
RF: What did you do to make it yours? What is your decorating philosophy?
MG: We worked with our designer, Lauren, to bring in character and design but kept things for what the home is really meant for: living and enjoying. Our decorating philosophy is sophistication and elegance combined with clean lines and comfort; mix things up and add a zing of fresh personal flair.
RF: What did you do to make it yours? What is your decorating philosophy?
MG: We worked with our designer, Lauren, to bring in character and design but kept things for what the home is really meant for: living and enjoying. Our decorating philosophy is sophistication and elegance combined with clean lines and comfort; mix things up and add a zing of fresh personal flair.
The large kitchen is original to the home, and the Guptas found no need to update it. The kitchen offers various storage options, including closed cabinetry and open shelving on the island, and boasts new stainless steel appliances.
The Guptas wanted to display their wine corks creatively, so McKay bought this wine vessel from Restoration Hardware. It functions as both a counter accessory and cork storage.
Working with the existing wall color and dining set, McKay selected a Persian carpet rug, Arteriors chandelier, Paragon mirror and custom Kravet silk panels with Samuel and Sons borders to pull the look together.
RF: Finish these sentences: My idea of gardening is ...
MG: watching my husband do it.
RF: I just can’t seem to get rid of ...
MG: our “junk” drawer.
RF: My solution to clutter is ...
MG: Martha Stewart Organizing.
RF: If I could have four famous people over for dinner, I would invite ...
MG: Oprah, Kate Middleton, Steve Jobs and Claude Monet.
RF: Finish these sentences: My idea of gardening is ...
MG: watching my husband do it.
RF: I just can’t seem to get rid of ...
MG: our “junk” drawer.
RF: My solution to clutter is ...
MG: Martha Stewart Organizing.
RF: If I could have four famous people over for dinner, I would invite ...
MG: Oprah, Kate Middleton, Steve Jobs and Claude Monet.
In the guest bedroom, Decorous Amber paint by Sherwin-Williams dresses the walls, and custom gold drapery panels with blackout linings are thoughtful. An armchair from Green Front Interiors anchors a cozy reading corner.
RF: Where is your favorite place to shop, and what is your ultimate dream home item?
MG: I love finding things for our home from our travels. My dream home item is definitely an indoor pool. If money wasn't an object, my biggest splurge would be an original Renoir.
RF: Where is your favorite place to shop, and what is your ultimate dream home item?
MG: I love finding things for our home from our travels. My dream home item is definitely an indoor pool. If money wasn't an object, my biggest splurge would be an original Renoir.
RF: What is your proudest homeowner moment, and what advice would you offer to other homeowners?
MG: When someone came into our home and could not believe we had kids! My advice is to be patient with designing your home and focus on one room or area at a time.
RF: If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you'd grab?
MG: Probably a picture of our family, to remind me of what mattered most.
MG: When someone came into our home and could not believe we had kids! My advice is to be patient with designing your home and focus on one room or area at a time.
RF: If your house was on fire, what's the first thing you'd grab?
MG: Probably a picture of our family, to remind me of what mattered most.
RF: When did your house feel like your own?
MG: When the bookshelves went from being just built-ins to a personalized piece of art. We're inspired by our global travels, and our family loves to travel and spend time together. My husband and I actually met on a plane, and he brought me to the East Coast from California. As a couple, we share a love for traveling and complement each other’s styles. When I'm in a room in my home, it's this feeling of being transported to another place. From the calm waters overlooking Palos Verdes Peninsula, where I grew up, to the southeast coast of France, to the busy streets of New Delhi, I love to bring a piece of every place into my home. Among our collection are Vietri Italian pottery and several works purchased at art auctions.
The books are from Books by the Foot. The site allows you to buy books by any subject, age, color, or size for only $6.99 per foot.
Accessories: Furbish, Z Gallerie
MG: When the bookshelves went from being just built-ins to a personalized piece of art. We're inspired by our global travels, and our family loves to travel and spend time together. My husband and I actually met on a plane, and he brought me to the East Coast from California. As a couple, we share a love for traveling and complement each other’s styles. When I'm in a room in my home, it's this feeling of being transported to another place. From the calm waters overlooking Palos Verdes Peninsula, where I grew up, to the southeast coast of France, to the busy streets of New Delhi, I love to bring a piece of every place into my home. Among our collection are Vietri Italian pottery and several works purchased at art auctions.
The books are from Books by the Foot. The site allows you to buy books by any subject, age, color, or size for only $6.99 per foot.
Accessories: Furbish, Z Gallerie
McKay and contractor Rob Taylor, of Taylor Build General Contracting, chose a monochromatic color palette in the theater to create a calming and relaxing environment. The carpet is from Masland and the theater chairs are from Berkline.
RF: Where is your favorite spot or room in your home?
MG: I would have to say my newly finished living room. I love everything in there, from the wallpaper to the stylish orange chair. The look and feel of the room does everything for me. My husband, Nitin, would disagree, though. His absolute favorite is the theater, of course. Correction — his theater.
RF: What do you want to do with your house next?
MG: Complete our basement and make it a great entertaining space. My goal is to complete every room, one by one.
More Houzz Tours:
Traditional Colonial
New Style With Old World Warmth
A Home Full of History and Surprise
RF: Where is your favorite spot or room in your home?
MG: I would have to say my newly finished living room. I love everything in there, from the wallpaper to the stylish orange chair. The look and feel of the room does everything for me. My husband, Nitin, would disagree, though. His absolute favorite is the theater, of course. Correction — his theater.
RF: What do you want to do with your house next?
MG: Complete our basement and make it a great entertaining space. My goal is to complete every room, one by one.
More Houzz Tours:
Traditional Colonial
New Style With Old World Warmth
A Home Full of History and Surprise
Mousami Gupta: There were three design dilemmas we faced: decorating the built- in bookshelves, separating the very open floor plan of my kitchen and family room, and making the space kid friendly. Lauren helped us tackle all three, dividing the two spaces with durable furniture by Ethan Allen and kid-friendly treated upholstery by Lee Industries. My personal design dilemma is that I just love too many looks. I like the idea of taking risks, but it’s hard for me to take the plunge. Lauren helped narrow things down to three or four choices, and then I would pick the one I loved most.