She knew instantly that the update of their beautiful, but dated, Hope Valley home would be a really fun project. “Elizabeth and Rob wanted to make the house a cheerful, beautiful and functional space suitable for everyday living and entertaining,” explains Laura. “It was important to them that the house felt sophisticated, but never stuffy or overly formal.” The first thing Laura noticed was that all the color in the home was on the walls instead of the fabrics and accessories – and since Elizabeth loves color, she decided to neutralize the walls to create a sense of space and pour all the color into the furnishings. “My husband and I met and got married in Los Angeles,” says Elizabeth. “So, we love a blend of Southern California style with southern charm – breezy, cool colors, natural fabrics and fresh patterns.”
Laura used brightly colored fabrics from lines like China Seas, Brunschwig & Fils and Jim Thompson. “We breathed new life into many of their vintage pieces with refinishing and reupholstery, but also introduced many special new pieces to make it all feel modern and fresh,” she adds.
Refinished floors, new millwork, updated bathrooms and an addition of a family room rounded out the extensive year-long renovation, making the older home feel completely new. When it came to completing the interiors, Laura has a tried and true formula for her projects that includes the personalized elements most clients are really going for. “At the start of every project, I love to look around and see what my client has collected to gain a better understanding of the type of people they are,” she explains. “Are they travelers? Book collectors? Antique lovers? In every house I design, I love to incorporate classic one-of-a-kind pieces that make a space soulful and unique.”
“Whether your design aesthetic is traditional, transitional or modern, it is important to incorporate elements that reflect your personality and express a point of view.”
Elizabeth and her husband Rob couldn’t be happier with the results, though they have a tough time choosing a favorite room. “My favorite room depends on the time of day,” Elizabeth says. “In the early morning and evenings, it’s the living room; weekends and family movie nights, it’s the family room; nightly homework sessions, the dining room. But any time of day, it’s the kitchen!”