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House with Vibrant Color and Light
A once-dark maze of rooms becomes bright, thanks to a remodel and colors that banish the blahs.
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From their first meeting, interior designer Julie Massucco Kleiner knew that Joe and Kim Boswell loved color--and lots of it. "Joe wears bright green or pink Polo shirts or cable-knit sweaters," the designer relates. "The inspirational photos they shared with me were rooms with purple and lavender and another with oranges and corals." And when Kleiner suggested a hot pink or coral living room, Joe said, "Go for it!"
Both Joe and Kim grew up in sun-drenched Florida, so when they bought their early-1900s house in often foggy San Francisco, light was an issue. While the south-facing living and dining rooms are flooded with light, the kitchen and other back rooms were dark and claustrophobic. "There was a maze of rooms at the back of the house, with a cramped, dark kitchen, a teeny, tiny bathroom, and a closet-like guest room," Kleiner says.
Working with Kleiner and architect Scott McGlashan, the Boswells knocked out walls to open the dining room to the kitchen and to create a sunny breakfast room. "The task was to make the flow of the rooms more comfortable and to make use of small rooms, such as the guest bedroom and guest bath/powder room, converting them to something more stylish, youthful, and bright," Kleiner says.
In Joe's plain speak: "We gutted almost the entire house." New windows and insulation were added throughout to make the place more energy efficient, so "pretty much every room had at least one wall removed," he adds. Demolition was just under way when--surprise!--Kim discovered she was pregnant. Joe and Kim were thrilled, of course, but they were both working full-time, living in the basement with a makeshift kitchen in the garage, and facing daily design decisions.
To ease possible conflicts, the couple agreed that only one of them should oversee the project. "Kim and I both work, and we're both opinionated, so we thought it would be better if one of us took control of the process," Joe says. "Also, Kim is a better saver than I am--she doesn't like writing checks. She knows renovating and decorating requires investment, though, and she trusted me to make those decisions." Daily bouts of morning sickness only confirmed the wisdom of naming Joe the designated design driver. Unable to stomach daily meetings, Kim was more than willing to opt out of the process, and Joe's efforts evolved into a gift to her. "Kim likes surprises, so for her the final design was a surprise," Joe says, "almost like a Christmas gift (which was about the time the job was done)."
As Joe and the designer flipped through fabric swatches and paint chips, the mantra was "grown-up but not grandmotherly." Respect the traditional style of the house, yes, but make it inviting and suited for the rough-and-tumble life of a young family. "I like classic style a lot, but we didn't want a home that felt like a museum," Joe says. "We wanted the house to reflect our generation."
There is nothing grandmotherly about the youthful color palette rich with corals, yellows, and edgy yellow-greens. "The colors are sunny and bright when skies are really blue, and they also lift the mood inside if it's gray outside," Kleiner says. "Joe wanted really saturated and warm colors so the house would be inviting." Walls are painted varying shades of khaki, pale yellow, and other neutrals that allow the bright colors to sing. To unify the house's scheme, Kleiner subtly repeated colors from room to room. The yellow of the dining room shows up in the living room on pale yellow-green lamps and a ribbon trim on the X-base stools. The living room's coral appears on chair seats in the breakfast nook, and the bedroom's blue returns on the nook's banquette.
Lacquered, metallic, glass, and other high-gloss finishes--on tables, lamps, and even a red Louis XIV side chair--reflect artificial and natural light, keeping rooms bright and vibrant night and day.
Tradition steps in with elegant silk draperies that swathe the living and dining rooms with color. Crown moldings and window trims were re-created to match original architectural features. The guest room, with its blue-and-white chinoiserie wall covering, is classic but not stuffy. In the living room, sofa pillows are decorated with crewel-like designs in modern motifs. "The needlework method is traditional, but the patterns are totally modern," Kleiner says.
After nearly seven months, the project was completed, and Joe walked his wife through the rooms. "She had no idea that we were going with a carmine-pink theme in the living room," he says. "When she realized her football-loving, engineer-of-a-husband chose that scheme, she was very surprised and, ultimately, happy."Design: Julie Massucco Kleiner, Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration, Los Angeles, 310/570-0084; San Francisco, 415/409-1997; Seattle, 206/455-3078, massuccowarnermiller.com.
Photography: Werner StraubeTags: -
Coral draperies from Silk Trading Company add ribbons of rich color at both ends of the living room. Julie Massucco Kleiner designed the stools under the console.
Sources, including previous slide.
Sofa (custom); red upholstered chairs (custom); ottoman (custom); stools under console (custom): Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration, 310/570-0084.
Sofa fabric ("Versailles Velvet"/Brown): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Sofa pillows: Judy Ross Textiles, 212/842-1705, judyrosstextiles.com.
Chair fabric ("Gweneth Linen"/Coral #79777): Schumacher, 800/523-1200, fschumacher.com.
White trim on chairs, pleat ("Shalimar"/Kotah #800001-10): Rogers & Goffigon, 203/532-8068.
Pillow in red chair ("Harriett"/Lima #321B76, oyster linen): Raoul Textiles, 805/899-4947, raoultextiles.com.
Ottoman fabric ("Montuno" #TRF5613/04): Osborne & Little, 877/322-7420, osborneandlittle.com.
Oval-backed chair: owner's collection.
Fabric on chair-seat, front ("Roma Leather"/White): Frank's Leather & Hides, 415/551-1405.
Fabric on chair back and on stool under console ("Java-Java"/New Shrimp by China Seas): Quadrille Wallpapers & Fabrics, 212/753-2995, quadrillefabrics.com.
Drapery and valance ("Como Silk"/Coral): The Silk Trading Co., 323/954-9280, silktrading.com.
Wall paint ("Bleeker Beige" #HC-80): Benjamin Moore & Co, 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
End table; table lamp (vintage); accessories: owner's collection.
Coffee table ("Rope Twist Coffee Table" #8550); coral on coffee table: Baker, 800/592-2537, bakerfurniture.com.
Area rug ("Papyrus"/Fawn): Stark Carpet Corp., 212/752-9000, starkcarpet.com.
Console table at window (custom): Eric Brand Furniture, 650/259-0207, ericbrand.com.
Finish on console ("North Creek Brown" #1001): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667.
Lamps on console ("Ceramic Knife Box Lamps" #G61): Stephen Gerould, 503/221-7253, stephengerould.com.
Crystal cluster: vintage.
Bookends on console: Baker, 800/592-2537.
Boxes on console: Anthem, 415/440-6500.Tags: -
An antique chair was reupholstered and painted a glossy red.
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Joe and Kim Boswell's Labradoodle, Winnie, sits in an armchair covered in coral linen by Schumacher.
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The Boswells splurged on a new walnut dining table by David Iatesta but saved by using their existing chairs, to be replaced later. For a bit of sparkle, the designer added a chandelier from Ochre made of hand-blown glass droplets suspended from a polished-nickel frame.
Table (custom, "Cavallo Dining Table" #11-0006): David Iatesta, 410/604-0360, davidiatesta.com.
Chairs and fabric: owner's collection.
Dishes ("Hampton Court"): William Yeoward Crystal, 800/818-8484, williamyeowardcrystal.com.
Blue urn: DeSousa Hughes, 415/626-6883, desousahughes.com.
Chandelier ("Light Drizzle"): Ochre, 212/414-4332, ochre.net.
Area rug ("Sisal Natura"/Platimum): Stark Carpet Corp., 212/752-9000, starkcarpet.com.
Mirrored server (custom): Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration, 310/570-0084.
Drapery (silk #8815-14): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Art: vintage.
Wall paint ("Woodmont Cream" #204): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667.
Trim paint ("Country Stove White" #WH02B): Ralph Lauren Paint, 800/379-7656, ralphlaurenhome.com.Tags: -
Detail of the chandelier
Chandelier ("Light Drizzle"): Ochre, 212/414-4332, ochre.net.
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The previously dark kitchen was gutted and rebuilt with an enlarged window above the sink, new white cabinets, appliances, and marble countertops.
Cabinetry (custom): Cardea Building Co., 415/407-6425, cardeabuildingco.com.
Cabinetry finish ("Country Stove White" #WH02B): Ralph Lauren Paint, 800/379-7656, ralphlaurenhome.com.
Cabinetry hardware: Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com.
Countertops: Calcutta marble, honed.
Lights over island ("Waterfall Small Pendant"/Nickel #R80.0102): Chameleon Fine Lighting, 212/355-6300, chameleon59.com.
Backsplash tile ("Seville" by Michael S Smith): Ann Sacks, 800/278-8453, annsacks.com.
Refrigerator: Sub-Zero Inc., 800/222-7820, subzero.com.
Faucet: Elkay, 630/574-8484, elkayusa.com.
Paint ("Healing Aloe" #1562): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667, benjaminmoore.com.
Counter stools ("Series 7 Counter Stool"/Lime): Design Within Reach, 866/377-0825, dwr.com.Tags: -
Removing interior walls opened the kitchen to the dining room and created space for a breakfast nook with a banquette. A glass-topped table from McGuire and chairs with leather seats are easy to wipe clean.
Table ("Heritage Pedestal Table" #516): McGuire, 415/241-1228, mcguirefurniture.com.
Banquette (custom): Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration, 310/570-0084.
Banquette cushion ("Foxton"/Ocean #J475F-02, by Jane Churchill): Cowtan & Tout, 212/647-6900, cowtan.com.
Blue pillow; white-and-orange pillow: Krimsa Fine Rugs & Decor, 415/441-4321, krimsa.com.
Orange pillow with ovals (no longer available): Z Gallerie, 800/785-8961, zgallerie.com.
Chairs ("Verve Side Chairs"): Conde House, 415/864-8666, condehouse.com.
Chair-seat leather ("Cervino"/Orangina #28-6): Cortina Leathers, 800/338-6229, cortinaleathers.com.
Shades ("Ravenna"/Indigo): Christopher Farr Cloth, christopherfarrcloth.com. Available through DeSousa Hughes, 415/626-6883.
Hanging light over table ("Sorensen Lantern"): Remains Lighting, 212/675-8051, remains.com.
Art behind banquette (by Marshall Crossman): Dolby Chadwick Gallery, 415/956-3560.
Wall paint ("Woodmont Cream" #204): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667.
Ceiling and trim paint ("Country Stove White" #WH02B): Ralph Lauren Paint, 800/379-7656, ralphlaurenhome.com.Tags: -
Winnie the Labradoodle often hangs out on the bed, which features a durable leather-upholstered headboard. Draperies and valances are glazed linen from Rogers & Goffigon, and the wall covering is grasscloth. Colors in the room are subdued to keep the mood restful.
Bed (custom); bedside table (custom); benches at end of bed: Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration, 310/570-0084.
Headboard fabric ("Hunt Leather"/Stingray): Holly Hunt, 312/661-1900, hollyhunt.com.
Blue bed-skirt fabric (silk #8486-115): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Blue pillow on bed ("Spice Market"/Blue-Gray Salt): Donghia, 914/662-2377, donghia.com.
Orange pillow ("Zenzero"/Saffron): Dedar, 800/493-2209, dedar.com.
Bedding (no longer available): Restoration Hardware, 800/910-9836, restorationhardware.com.
Table lamp "Archytas") Gregorius/Pineo, 310/204-0400. Available through Kneedler Fauchere, 310/855-1313.
Bench fabric ("Sophia Jacquard"/Sky): Donghia, 914/662-2377, donghia.com.
Drapery ("Schooner"/Aft #930013-02): Rogers & Goffigon, 203/532-8068.
Shades: owner's collection.
Carpet ("Ashton"): Stark Carpet Corp., 212/752-9000, starkcarpet.com.
Walls: Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.
Ceiling and trim paint ("Ivory Tusk" #2153-70): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667.Tags: -
Blue-and-white Osborne & Little chinoiserie wallpaper with a metallic sheen dresses up the tiny guest bedroom.
Wallpaper ("Summer Palace"/W5734/03): Osborne & Little, 877/322-7420, osborneandlittle.com.
Bed (custom): Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration, 310/570-0084.
Headboard fabric ("Glazed Nice"/Alabaster): Clarence House, 800/803-2850, clarencehouse.com.
Bedding with blue trim ("Scallop"/Blue, Traditional Collection): Matouk, matouk.com.
Bedside table ("Preston Side Table"): Jonathan Adler, 800/657-7752, jonathanadler.com.
Table lamp ("Lotus"): Visual Comfort & Co., 713/686-5999. Available through Circa Lighting, 877/762-2323, circalighting.com.
Pillow (vintage Fortuny fabric): Wynne Alex, 415/922-1600.Tags: -
An armoire built into one wall provides storage without eating up floor space.
Armoire (custom): Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration, 310/570-0084.
Armoire finish ("Linen White"): Benjamin Moore & Co., 888/236-6667.
Shades (Chain Link"/Alabaster #9524-111): Kravet, 888/457-2838, kravet.com.Tags: -
The guest bath doubles as a first-floor powder room, where a traditional wood-framed mirror and modern vanity are juxtaposed.
Wallpaper ("Edo"/Brown on Almost White, by China Seas): Quadrille Walpapers & Fabrics, 212/753-2995, quadrillefabrics.com.
Vanity cabinet (custom): Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design & Decoration, 310/570-0084.
Faucet (Infinity Series): Graff, 800/954-4723, graff-faucets.com.
Mirror: vintage.
Tile: Dal-Tile Corp., 214/398-14211, daltileproducts.com.Tags: -
Joe and Kim Boswell with daughter Kate. The couple has since had a son, Kevin.
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Interior designer Julie Massucco Kleiner.
Growing up in an old house in Vermont gave Julie a strong understanding of traditional design. Her childhood home wasn't formal, however, but casual and livable. "That plays into my approach today," she says. "There are casual and youthful elements in my designs." New England's gray winters also taught her how to infuse color and light into interiors, a skill that has served her well in San Francisco and Seattle.
Julie lives in Seattle but continues to design along the West Coast with partners Melissa Warner and Carrie Miller at Massucco Warner Miller Design.Tags: -