This 1924 Colonial Is A Lesson In Playful Elegance
Finding the balance between playful and sophisticated is a task easier said than done, but one designer Jennifer Hunter was eager to take on for her client’s 1924 Colonial home in charming Bronxville, New York. After moving from the city with their three young kids, the homeowners were seeking to give the space a playful refresh to become a not-so-serious family home. The result is filled with satisfying pops of color, beautiful original details, and kid’s spaces that will stop you in your tracks.
Design: Jennifer Hunter Design | Photography: Kirsten Francis
Playful Elegance
While the previous owners had recently renovated the home to be more sleek, Jennifer’s clients wanted to infuse an element of playfulness into the space by adding pops of color throughout. Rich, inky blue was the perfect jumping-off point for the palette to create a sophisticated and playful feeling in each room. In the living room, Jennifer introduced the shade with a beautiful built-in media center that balances the warmth and character of the fireplace effortlessly.
Jennifer chose Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy for the media center paint color.
Traditional & Sleek
Initially built in 1924, this home has plenty of charm to go around — and luckily, the previous owners did a great job adding refreshed elements while preserving some of the original features. Jennifer is known for her traditional aesthetic that feels equal parts tailored and eclectic, displayed throughout this space. A bold navy island sets the tone for the kitchen and brings an unexpected element to the otherwise sleek kitchen.
While matching undertones in hard finishes lend to a streamlined design, mixing warm and cool tones can help add more interest. Here, Jennifer contrasted the warm tone of the floors with cool tones in the kitchen and tied it all together with brown leather barstools to make it feel inviting and cozy.
Blending Warm & Cool Tones
The office space is yet another lesson in blending warm and cool tones through a bold blue wall color and caramel-colored seating and window treatments to balance it out. A chevron-patterned rug lets the eye settle and grounds the room with added texture.
Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue dresses up the walls in the office.
Magic In The Kid’s Rooms
Because the clients have young kids, designing playful kids’ spaces was top of mind for Jennifer when working on this home. It’s hard to choose a favorite in this home, but we love how this wallpaper compliments the blue trim and accentuates the beautiful colonial windows. Who said that kids’ rooms can’t be chic, too?
BY: ANASTASIA CASEY