Raleigh Sunset Hills Redesign
What We Did: Interior Paint, Furnishings, Area Rugs, Lighting, Art and Decor
Built in 1947, this open, light, and airy home boasts a timeless design and a fascinating history. The original owner graduated from NCSU’s civil engineering school at a time when Frank Lloyd Wright was a frequent guest lecturer at the architectural engineering school. Wright’s extensive criteria of what makes for good design found its way into this mid-century modern style home. Built before central air, the house was oriented to maximize heating and cooling as appropriate for the season. Large overhanging eaves let direct light into the rooms during the winter and provide shade in the summer. Twice a year on the equinox, there is a direct beam of light from one end of the living room to the other. We followed the example of previous updates to the home by being careful to preserve both the home’s original footprint and the spirit of its design.
The Color Palettes
•Entry: Buttercream, light wood tones, touches of black and deep red
•Living Room: Taupe, rich cream, deep red, cornflower blue, dark woods
•Dining Room: Warm woods, rich red and cream, hints of cornflower blue
•Sitting Room: Bright pinkish red, cream, white, turquoise, warm wood tones
•Window Seat/Reading Nook: Warm white, taupe, touches of deep red and peacock blue
•Primary Bedroom: Cerulean blue, butter yellow, crisp white, pale blue, touches of cranberry red
•Guest Room: Blonde and deep wood tones, teal, green, medium blue, touches of red and pink
•Hallway: Pale buttercream, teal, turquoise, yellow, avocado, white, deep wood tones
This Project’s “Don’t Miss” Details
•The mix of modern furnishings with traditional pieces
•The use of transitional and traditional style rugs together with modern elements for a timeless effect
•The stunning views of the property–including the backyard’s Japanese-style garden–from the home’s generously sized windows
•The foyer’s eye-catching mirror and inlaid wood chest
•The dining room’s intriguing, ‘cubist’ hand-painted wall treatment and modern light fixture
•The diverse collection of artwork ranging from colorful to black and white and from modern portraiture to abstracts
•The corner-to-corner windows in both the living and dining rooms
•The fresh mix of fabrics on the window seat’s bench cushion and pillows
•The beautiful warm wood flooring throughout the home
•The Lucite pulls on the guest room’s bedside chests and the Lucite legs on the hallway’s upholstered bench