HOUSE TOUR: A Neutral NYC Home With The Most Brilliant Pops Of Color
ELLEDECOR.com: How did you decide on the direction for this home?
Thomas Altamirano: Functionality, color and openness were the drivers of this project. The eclectically modern aesthetic is very much the Studio Alta signature style, simple yet bold with touches of the client's personality.
The palette is made up of high-contrast neutrals to accent architectural elements along with the furniture and decor. The color splashes of aqua blues and yellows are influences from the client's art collection. The furniture comprised of design classics, custom made and vintage all share clean thin profiles to keep the space looking open and airy.
Sofa: Ligne Roset. Coffee Table: Blu Dot. Art: Gray Malin via One Kings Lane. Tray: West Elm.
ED: Do you consider the blue wall around the desk area an accent wall?
TA: I don't. My intention was to apply paint/color in a color-blocking manner that would straddle an art or graphic design installation. More importantly, all of my color-blocking has a function and relationship to the interior architecture.
The blocking helps divide the room into its multiple functions (living room and office area) while anchoring and highlighting the related furniture pieces to the sections of the room/wall. All of the color blocks' heights relate back to architectural features within the space such as door and counter heights which create a balanced flow of consistent implied lines through out the space.
Desk: Crate & Barrel. Lower Art: Beth Hoeckel via Fab.com. Lamp: CB2.
ED: What can people do to keep themselves from going too crazy with color?
TA: Take baby steps! Start with a little and add a little more progressively with time. Start with high-contrasting neutrals for some pop and to highlight architectural features. Once you have the clean cohesive backdrop you can add those bright colors through your accessories or art.
Bed: Blu Dot. Bedside Lights: ABC Home. Hans Wegner Ch445 chair: Design Within Reach. Rug: ABC Home. Stump Stool: From The Source.
ED:Why keep the bedroom graphic to only part of the wall? And what makes that look work?
TA: The graphics in the bedroom are actually a hand painted mural that I installed myself. I really wanted to use a wallpaper, but that was not an option since the apartment is a rental. When developing the mural idea it was decided to keep the design at a low height in relation to the low-profile modern furniture. Keeping the furniture and accent paint low is a classic interior design strategy to make small spaces feel open and airy. The organic line work is now repetitive and gives a soothing feel to the room.
ED: What was the most difficult part of working in this space?
TA: Like most New York apartments, this apartment is small and needed to fit all of the client's multiple needs. Their needs are the same as those in a 5,000-square-foot suburban home but you have to make it work in 1,000 square feet. Space planning is always a challenge; the real battle is finding the right pieces that won't consume the small space.
Ballerina Mirror: Ligne Roset.
ED: How would someone go about creating a similar design in their own home?
TA: The elements in this project are very simple and can be recreated in most any space. When selecting furniture think about scale. Keep pieces low and profiles thin (such as the thin metal legs on the desk, wire and glass coffee table, thin arms on the sofa and open style of the bookcase.) Spread color throughout in small doses, this makes it more special. Most importantly, have fun with it and don't take it so seriously.
Bookcase: Organic Modernism. Vintage Westnofa Sling Chair: Etsy.
ED: Is there a trick to using color with restraint?
TA: Use color to accent special features in a space such as a significant piece of furniture or a cozy nook. Don't think of color in such a literal sense such as an accent wall. An interesting blue chair is a much more interesting conversation piece than a blue wall, The painted accent wall is usually the random and awkward elephant in the room in my opinion.
Vase: CB2
ED: What suggestions do you have for people who want to integrate a whimsical element (like the blue dinosaur lamp) into their homes without it seeming childish?
TA: Design, and your home, should be fun! Like color, sprinkle elements of your personality and treasures around sparingly by creating small vignettes or hidden areas of interest. Too much of someone's Star Wars or cat statue collection can become creepy and make a space seem like a childish theme room.
Lamp & Dinosaur: CB2.
ED: Do you think certain colors are better suited for use in home design?
TA: I am a fan of bright and bold colors, but too much can be very intense and uncomfortable in the home. White is the best backdrop for that bright blue chair or graphic piece of art. A neutral background will always make your colorful accents pop more!
Bookcase: Organic Modernism. Vintage Percival Lafer "Earth" Chair: Etsy. Vintage Westnofa Sling Chair: Etsy. Sofa: Ligne Roset. Coffee Table: Blu Dot. Desk: Crate & Barrel
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