Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Color Reigns Supreme Near Seattle
Contemporary furnishings and bold color brighten a family home on Washington's Mercer Island
If you’re going to use every color of crayon in the box, it’s a good idea to have plenty of sheets of crisp white paper for the job. This was the approach that designer Kimberlee Gorsline implemented for her latest project — a head-to-toe makeover of a ’90s contemporary home for a family of four on Mercer Island near Seattle.
Gorsline says it took her a few go-rounds with her client, a wife and mother of two boys, before she truly appreciated her devotion to bold colors. “I’d send her images of furniture or tile in a whole range of colors from mild to wild,” says Gorsline. “Without reservation, she’d choose the brightest and boldest option every time.”
Gorsline says it took her a few go-rounds with her client, a wife and mother of two boys, before she truly appreciated her devotion to bold colors. “I’d send her images of furniture or tile in a whole range of colors from mild to wild,” says Gorsline. “Without reservation, she’d choose the brightest and boldest option every time.”
BEFORE: The living room’s white walls, coffered ceiling and original maple floors remained, but from that point on many changes were made.
AFTER: Color was key, but “a little bit goes a long way,” says Gorsline. “For the most part, we decided to make one color the star of every room.” A crisp shade of white serves as the canvas.
The bright blue of Lake Washington, viewed from the living room windows, inspired the selection of the sofa. The white leather Barcelona chairs and benches balance that bold choice. The acrylic coffee table relates to the openness of the window-lined room.
Sofa, chairs, benches, rug: Design Within Reach; coffee table: Acrylic Decor
The bright blue of Lake Washington, viewed from the living room windows, inspired the selection of the sofa. The white leather Barcelona chairs and benches balance that bold choice. The acrylic coffee table relates to the openness of the window-lined room.
Sofa, chairs, benches, rug: Design Within Reach; coffee table: Acrylic Decor
BEFORE: A dark green marble surround, an ornate mirror and candle sconces above the original fireplace created a more traditional feel.
AFTER: A black and white granite surround and solid black mantel create a contemporary fireplace. The artwork above the fireplace is an original piece created by Elena Baker. “I showed Elena a picture of the blue sofa for inspiration,” says Gorsline. “From that point on, the creation was all her own.”
Sconces: Spillray, Axo Light; art: Elena Baker
Sconces: Spillray, Axo Light; art: Elena Baker
BEFORE: White countertops, cabinets and appliances comprised most of the original kitchen.
AFTER: White might still be the main player in the kitchen, with its new Carrara marble countertops, but red gives it a run for its money.
“We were thinking of using a red subway tile at first, but I was afraid it might make the kitchen look too much like a fast-food restaurant,” says Gorsline.
Instead, red back-painted glass provides the desired crimson effect and streamlined silhouette.
“We were thinking of using a red subway tile at first, but I was afraid it might make the kitchen look too much like a fast-food restaurant,” says Gorsline.
Instead, red back-painted glass provides the desired crimson effect and streamlined silhouette.
BEFORE: A round glass-topped table surrounded by bamboo chairs graced the original breakfast area.
AFTER: A midcentury-style glass-topped table replaced the original, while new red chairs and the same back-painted glass as found in the kitchen help connect the adjacent spaces.
P652 Pendant: George Kovacs; table: Knoll Planter, Design Within Reach; chairs: Series 7, Design Within Reach
Discover 10 colorful breakfast nooks
P652 Pendant: George Kovacs; table: Knoll Planter, Design Within Reach; chairs: Series 7, Design Within Reach
Discover 10 colorful breakfast nooks
BEFORE: Antique dark wood furniture, an Oriental rug and a gold-framed mirror created a traditional look in the original dining room.
AFTER: The new dining room takes a minimalist approach. Gone is the area rug and wood furniture, in favor of a lighter feel. Acrylic Ghost chairs, a glass-topped dining table and a modern chandelier complement the original leaded glass windows.
Chairs: Ghost, Design Within Reach; table: Coda, Roche Bobois; chandelier: chrome, Dainolite
Chairs: Ghost, Design Within Reach; table: Coda, Roche Bobois; chandelier: chrome, Dainolite
BEFORE: Brown tile with thick grout lines topped the original powder room sink.
AFTER: One color stars in most of the redone rooms, but wallpaper in the first-floor powder room honors the entire rainbow.
Wallpaper: Circus, Cole & Son; sconce: Glam, Bazz
Browse more boldly wallpapered powder rooms
Wallpaper: Circus, Cole & Son; sconce: Glam, Bazz
Browse more boldly wallpapered powder rooms
BEFORE: Dark wood floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a green-leather-topped antique desk made for a very traditional and masculine study.
AFTER: The study’s design evolved during the home’s makeover. “The original plan was to leave the bookshelves alone and to just paint the walls white,” says Gorsline. “But once the rest of the house started to add colors, we felt confident going much bolder.”
The coral painted bookshelves completely change the look and feel of the space. A multihued window shade helped transform the once-dark study into one the softest rooms in the house.
Bookshelf paint: Tucson Coral, Benjamin Moore; rug, coffee table: West Elm; wire chair: Dot & Bo; window shade fabric: Cahuenga Papaya by Jonathan Adler, Kravet
The coral painted bookshelves completely change the look and feel of the space. A multihued window shade helped transform the once-dark study into one the softest rooms in the house.
Bookshelf paint: Tucson Coral, Benjamin Moore; rug, coffee table: West Elm; wire chair: Dot & Bo; window shade fabric: Cahuenga Papaya by Jonathan Adler, Kravet
BEFORE: Green marble inlays, a maple wood stair rail and a frosted glass pendant chandelier decorated the original foyer.
See 10 first-class foyers
See 10 first-class foyers
AFTER: The green marble inlays were removed in favor of a more uniform look, while stainless steel replaced the maple on the railing. A trio of pendant lights lifts the eyes and adds dimension.
The deep navy blue velvet that covers the bench motivated the purchase of a similarly hued Erin Parrish painting, titled “Looking Through.”
Bench: Stella, Worlds Away; art: Erin Parrish, Winston Wächter Fine Art; pendant lights: Raimond, Moooi
The deep navy blue velvet that covers the bench motivated the purchase of a similarly hued Erin Parrish painting, titled “Looking Through.”
Bench: Stella, Worlds Away; art: Erin Parrish, Winston Wächter Fine Art; pendant lights: Raimond, Moooi
The master bedroom is one of the few rooms in the house where one color doesn’t play the leading role. A combination of blues and greens plus gold accents makes this room a detailed treasure. Various patterns and prints on the wallpaper and throw pillows set a nuanced and refined tone.
Nightstand: Horchow; lamp: Delilah, Robert Abbey; wallpaper: Hicks Hexagon, Cole & Son; bed: Room & Board
Nightstand: Horchow; lamp: Delilah, Robert Abbey; wallpaper: Hicks Hexagon, Cole & Son; bed: Room & Board
BEFORE: The original master bathroom featured square white tiles, glass blocks and a built-in tub.
AFTER: Larger rectangular floor tiles replaced the old square ones, glass shower doors took the place of the glass blocks, and a sculptural stand-alone tub now graces the room.
Tub: Signature Hardware; art: Art.com; floor tile: Match Point in Pure White, Daltile; countertop: polished quartz in Stormy Sky, Daltile
Tub: Signature Hardware; art: Art.com; floor tile: Match Point in Pure White, Daltile; countertop: polished quartz in Stormy Sky, Daltile
The tile selection for the master bathroom’s shower is more evidence that Gorsline’s client isn’t bashful when it comes to color. “I was showing her tile in shades of champagne, and with each selection, we kept getting farther and farther down the color spectrum until we hit Canary.”
Tile: Profile Offset Ridge in Canary, Ann Sacks
Tile: Profile Offset Ridge in Canary, Ann Sacks
BEFORE: A gray carpet and white built-ins lined the walls of one of the boys’ original bedrooms.
AFTER: New sand-toned carpet was added, while the white built-ins remain with the addition of chunkier hardware. Robot-inspired bookends and prints met the boy’s request.
Paint: Baby Boy Blue, Benjamin Moore; prints, bedding: Land of Nod
Paint: Baby Boy Blue, Benjamin Moore; prints, bedding: Land of Nod
BEFORE: The home’s finished basement was originally used as a family room and included a salmon-colored carpet and sectional.
AFTER: The basement now serves as the children’s playroom. It includes plenty of toy storage, an art table for drawing and painting, and a green sofa for movie time.
Works from artists near and dear to the homeowners’ hearts line the yellow walls. “I asked my client to collect some of her boys’ best works to be framed,” says Gorsline. “It can be used an ever-changing gallery wall for years to come.”
Paint: Yellow 2022-10, Benjamin Moore; sofa: Ikea
More: 6 Strategies for Making Color Work for You
Browse more homes by style: Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
Works from artists near and dear to the homeowners’ hearts line the yellow walls. “I asked my client to collect some of her boys’ best works to be framed,” says Gorsline. “It can be used an ever-changing gallery wall for years to come.”
Paint: Yellow 2022-10, Benjamin Moore; sofa: Ikea
More: 6 Strategies for Making Color Work for You
Browse more homes by style: Small Homes | Colorful Homes | Eclectic Homes | Modern Homes | Contemporary Homes | Midcentury Homes | Ranch Homes | Traditional Homes | Barn Homes | Townhouses | Apartments | Lofts | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: A couple and their two children
Location: Mercer Island, Washington
Size: 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Designer: Kimberlee Gorsline of Kimberlee Marie Interior Design