Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Old-World Charm Mixes With Clean, Bright Style
Bold contrasts, unified colors, patterned tile and big lighting bring a fresh vibe to a transitional home in Denver
Dining room: Soft gray walls, black picture frames and black window frames set up the contrasting color scheme found elsewhere in the home. Grid paneling adds detail and a finished look. The dining table is made of reclaimed pine.
A new floor plan included knocking down part of a wall to open the kitchen to the dining room, plus a bolder color palette and lots of attention to detail in the finishes.
In the photo here, the light-flooded kitchen is visible through the new, expanded doorway at the back of the dining room.
Rug: Cairo, McGee & Co; lighting: Morris Lantern, also McGee & Co.
A new floor plan included knocking down part of a wall to open the kitchen to the dining room, plus a bolder color palette and lots of attention to detail in the finishes.
In the photo here, the light-flooded kitchen is visible through the new, expanded doorway at the back of the dining room.
Rug: Cairo, McGee & Co; lighting: Morris Lantern, also McGee & Co.
Kitchen: Forest green cabinets combined with a statement tile on the floor and brass fixtures created exactly what the clients wanted.
Cabinet paint: Forest Green, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Super White, Benjamin Moore; backsplash: Daltile
Cabinet paint: Forest Green, Benjamin Moore; wall paint: Super White, Benjamin Moore; backsplash: Daltile
Floor: The designers used lots of patterned cement tile to make a statement and take the kitchen to another level.
Flooring: Bristol in Pacific black/Pacific white, Pacific Classic Collection, Cement Tile Shop
Flooring: Bristol in Pacific black/Pacific white, Pacific Classic Collection, Cement Tile Shop
Lighting: Light fixtures made of old-world materials like brass in clean, modern shapes contribute to the eclectic vibe the clients wanted. Open shelves in natural wood, simple window treatments and streamlined appliances add to the airy feel.
Lighting: Workstead Brass pendant: Horne; black and brass sconces: Tilt Cone, Cedar & Moss; find brass lighting
Lighting: Workstead Brass pendant: Horne; black and brass sconces: Tilt Cone, Cedar & Moss; find brass lighting
Living room: Solid slab marble updated the fireplace surround, and the pale gray mantel color matches the pale gray used on the dining room walls. The designers warmed up the home and bridged the contrast of black window frames and white walls with woven shades throughout. The front entry is just to the right of the fireplace in this photo.
Shades: Hampton 2, The Shade Store; paint on mantel: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore
Lush Tradition: Elements of the American Tudor-Style Living Room
Shades: Hampton 2, The Shade Store; paint on mantel: Gray Owl, Benjamin Moore
Lush Tradition: Elements of the American Tudor-Style Living Room
Painting the walls, ceiling and trim in Benjamin Moore’s Super White paint freshened and lightened the home.
Sofa: Serena & Lily; rug: Masinissa, McGee & Co.
Sofa: Serena & Lily; rug: Masinissa, McGee & Co.
Front entry: Because the front door opens almost directly into the living room, the designers broke up the living room into two spaces, with an entry and desk area directly ahead as you walk in the front door, and the seating area to the right. This helped the room feel bigger and more open, the designers say.
Leather chair: Article
Leather chair: Article
A round mirror reflects the front door and light from the tiny window pane. A desk and credenza provide a place to drop keys, mail and other items.
Bathroom: “A small space doesn’t mean you have to go small with the design,” says designer Shea McGee. “We went big with architectural details.” That included graphic cement tile and a floating vanity that maximizes space.
Bedroom: The bold, dark bedroom walls with white trim reverse the white walls and black window frame contrasts in the living room, dining room and kitchen.
Wall paint: Newburg Green, Benjamin Moore
Wall paint: Newburg Green, Benjamin Moore
Exterior: China White paint by Benjamin Moore covers the former red brick exterior of the home. Copper gutters and downspouts offer strong accents.
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Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two young kids
Location: Denver
Designer: Syd and Shea McGee of Studio McGee and McGee & Co.
The backstory: This was a 1939 American Tudor-style home the homeowner felt was too closed off, with a lot of awkward walls and underused, small, dark spaces.
A top priority was opening up the dark kitchen to make it brighter and more inviting.