My Houzz: Fun and Happy Colors in Northern California
Bold jewel-box hues, ombré walls and modern lighting transform a traditional family home
“We wanted more room inside and out,” says Leslie Boyer-Stein about her family’s decision to move to a bigger house in the hills of Northern California. They found a large home that was traditional in style, but the family wanted the interior to feel fun and happy as well. Interior designer Stacee Christen worked with Boyer-Stein and her husband, Bill Stein, to take into account their distinct personalities and create a space that would work for both of them. “Listening deeply to the commonalities as well as the differences formed a colorful conceptual picture unique to their family story,” Christen says. Now, rich splashes of color offer a surprise around every corner, and design details abound throughout the space.
Dark gray tones pair with playful yellow accents, such as the elegant chaise longue. The homeowners already owned the sofa and coffee table, which were redesigned by Christen Interiors. “We arrived with little to no furniture. The furniture we did have we recovered or had redesigned,” Boyer-Stein says.
Floor lamps: Ligne-Roset; painting: Daniel Healey; chaise longue: B&B Italia
Floor lamps: Ligne-Roset; painting: Daniel Healey; chaise longue: B&B Italia
The yellow of the chaise longue repeats in a corner of the living room.
Dedicato collection shelving unit: Ligne-Roset; painting: family collection
Dedicato collection shelving unit: Ligne-Roset; painting: family collection
The view from the front entry hallway captures both the innovative use of color and the architectural details found throughout the home. Tall pillars appear to hold up the ceiling at the entrance to the dining room, while shades of blue frame the window at the far end.
Once the main cyan color was picked and added to the wall around the window, Christen had the paint shop add 10 percent white to the batch for the next stripe, then another 10 percent white for the next stripe, continuing the gradations until she ended up with a creamy white she wanted for the rest of the walls. The result is an ombré effect.
How to Paint Stripes Right
How to Paint Stripes Right
The color choice in the dining room started with a photo of a peacock. The cyan blue accent walls were created to transport dinner guests to a vacation state of mind. “As you take in the magnificent views, the manmade color story of CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) provides a lively backdrop to the serene, nature-made color story of the surrounding countryside,” Christen says.
Max dining table: B&B Italia; chairs: Ligne-Roset; Lugano sideboard: BoConcept
Max dining table: B&B Italia; chairs: Ligne-Roset; Lugano sideboard: BoConcept
The existing pillars got a new look through the use of a faux brick paint finish.
Orange- and fuchsia-lacquered cabinet fronts from Tomasi Design form a custom hallway credenza unit. A magenta rug repeats the storage unit color.
Rug: Stark; Easy pendant lights: Kartell; large painting: Jeff Muhs; small painting: family collection
Rug: Stark; Easy pendant lights: Kartell; large painting: Jeff Muhs; small painting: family collection
LED multicolor lighting is recessed behind the cabinet backs, allowing the family to alter the mood of the room by changing the colors.
Christen had Tomasi Design build a custom storage unit in the front hall to keep the family’s coats and bags organized. Clever animal hooks liven up the otherwise serious gray closet.
Hooks: Urban Outfitters
Hooks: Urban Outfitters
A palette of neutral grays and upholstered finishes keeps the master bedroom feeling like a peaceful and relaxing retreat.
Chesterfield fabric panel headboard: Restoration Hardware; Claude side table: Jonathan Adler; Archimoon K lamp: Flos
Chesterfield fabric panel headboard: Restoration Hardware; Claude side table: Jonathan Adler; Archimoon K lamp: Flos
Ellis, the family dog, finds a cozy home under the table in the breakfast nook.
Banquette and table: custom; Papilio chairs: B&B Italia
Banquette and table: custom; Papilio chairs: B&B Italia
Splashes of bright orange, magenta and purple spill out to the back deck, with its fantastic views. “We have excellent trails right at the end of our street. Phoenix Lake is right down the road,” Boyer-Stein says.
Outdoor table and chairs: Janus et Cie
Outdoor table and chairs: Janus et Cie
“Outdoor space was important to us, especially since we have so many pets,” Boyer-Stein says. The family was drawn to the nature that surrounds the house. “I wanted to be able to walk out into nature,” Boyer-Stein says. “The location allows us to hike and mountain-bike right outside our door.”
Bitta patio furniture collection: Kettal
Bitta patio furniture collection: Kettal
Interior designer Christen, left, is glad to have helped the family use color to complement their home’s picturesque natural views of the Bay Area. Boyer-Stein, right, loves her new home as well as the hills, trees and community in their neighborhood.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Leslie Boyer-Stein and Bill Stein; their son, Logan Boyer, 16; and dog, Ellis; and cats, Elm and Willow
Size: Four bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Location: Ross, California
Year built: 1998
Designer: Christen Interiors