The central courtyard with its whitewashed brick is anchored by a rusted-steel-clad outdoor fireplace that separates the living wing of the house from the sleeping wing. Steel panels shade the great room’s doors in the summer. “We designed the custom sunshade pattern by starting with the gable form of the roof, then rotating it and repeating it, then custom cutting it,” Cavin says.
Impressive Artwork A painting, print or sculpture is a prime opportunity to reveal the real you. Something earthy or whimsical, for example, says something completely different than an ultramodern poster with edge. An artwork needn’t be bright and bold to attract attention. A sketch or framed photo positioned as part of a display can make the end of a hallway so intriguing that people step out of their way just to take a peek.
A Place to Sit Down Even if you never actually sit there, an occasional chair can form the basis of an eye-catching hallway vignette. The runner, chair, accessories and artwork seen here are tied together, and the contemporary design of the chair and side table set the tone. Against an all-white background, this vignette positively pops.
Pocket Door. Go for a color splash. Because of the “now you see it, now you don’t” element to pocket doors, using them can be a really fun way to play with color in an interior, changing the feel of a room from practical to playful in a flash. The bold turquoise door in this open kitchen-dining room shows how a pocket door can add something special to the interior of a space. If you’re considering something similar, keep in mind that the color needs to work well when viewed from both sides, so it will need to complement the decor of the room beyond.
The backstory: Being a part of Dewey Beach’s fun summertime atmosphere and enjoying the town’s walkability were important considerations for the homeowners. “Their older kids are old enough now to babysit, and they can walk out to any place in town and they’ll be only a couple of blocks from home,” Adler says. Those factors, combined with the couple’s love of entertaining, made Dewey Beach the ideal location for their summer home.
Hallway. Hallways are typically long and narrow and, depending on the lighting, can also be dark. When choosing a paint color for the hallway, consider the paint colors in connecting rooms and then go one to two shades lighter. The colors will complement each other and coordinate the home’s overall design. Plus, a lighter shade will brighten up the passageway.
Entryway. When a guest arrives, their first impression is based on your home’s exterior and the front door. Realtors call this curb appeal. But the very next thing guests will notice is the area right inside your front door, so you should use it to make a statement. If your home has a formal entry, choose a paint color that is one to two shades darker than the next room. A darker paint color in the entryway can make the space feel more inviting, like a warm hug. If your home has an open floor plan without a defined entryway, use paint to create one. Try a bold color on the wall surrounding the front door and an adjacent wall as visual borders for the entry.
Not every home is equipped with a mudroom or a full-fledged foyer. If you have a hall or wall off the front door, you can mimic the look of a mudroom. This Cape Cod entry features the mudroom essentials, including a bench, wall hooks, concealed storage and storage boxes, while only taking up a portion of a wall.
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