How a Former Historic Color Consultant Created a Quietly Colorful Living Room Using a Moody Palette and an Unexpected Paint Technique

Injecting color into a historic home can be a precarious job. Ask any interior designer, and they'll tell you bolder colors and timeless design are a balancing act. Of course, bringing personality into a scheme is always the goal, but on top of that, being faithful to the home's era and keeping things sympathetic is important, too. In this 1920s townhouse, though, interior designer Anne McDonald struck a delicate balance between the two (rather opposing) objectives.

Spacious and cocooning, this quietly colorful 1920s living room was given a new lease on life all thanks to a clever color palette and some rather bold ceiling trim. Moody yet bright, it's a lesson in using color unconventionally while still honoring the character and history of a period property.

From her days as a historic color consultant, Anne knows exactly how to keep things well-balanced. Delving into all things color, she walked us through the room's design process, from selecting the moody color palette to the unexpected trim that frames the room.

Much of the inspiration behind the living room's design came from the house style. 'This project is located in a picturesque neighborhood of Minneapolis filled with historic homes from the 1920s and 30s, which are typically quite manicured,' Anne tells Homes & Gardens. 'This specific client wanted to approach the project in a way that felt less expected for that area, and I was totally game to experiment.'

While white paint can read timeless, it can also feel a little 'new' in character-steeped homes that feature delicate original features. 'A white-on-white living room just wouldn't have done some of the home's architectural details justice,' she adds. 'This living room has beautiful windows and light coming in that we highlighted with a solid teal drapery from Holland & Sherry.'

Anne had the job of being considerate of the home's age, while also keeping things fresh and playful. 'We brought in furniture shapes that were interesting and unexpected, like the amorphic coffee table and cool scalloped day bed to bring in some modern touches. We were able to highlight and honor the architecture of the home, but have some fun through color and contrast.'

Timeless paint colors don't mean playing it safe. Rich and moody, the jewel-toned green paint (Troubadour from Portola Paints) stands out. It brings attention to the beautiful moldings without stealing the show and distracting you from the room's naturally bright, airy feel. Not to mention, deep forest greens evoke a real heritage feel.

For balance, Anne selected Farrow & Ball's beloved Wimborne White as the living room wall color. It brings just the right amount of contrast against the vintage layers, richly piled fabrics, and moody tones, and bridges the gap between past and present.

'My first interior design job was working for an historic paint colorist, where I learned so much about combinations that complement each other and evoke emotion, especially within an interior space,' Anne explains. 'I love working in jewel tones and we were able to create a harmonious space by bringing in the high-gloss evergreen on the painted moldings and fireplace surround, deep teal through the drapery and BDDW fabric on the lounge chairs, and the eggplant sofa in a way that feels modern yet timeless.'

Anne explains that, more than anything, doing something different was the primary goal. While there's nothing wrong with going down the authentic route, Anne chose a different approach, using color bravely and playfully to keep things lighthearted, personal, and, most importantly, current.

The goal was not to create a time capsule, but to create an eclectic interior that feels like a reinvention of the past. 'It was really about doing something unexpected, and these colors contrasting with the creamy white walls bring an element of conversation,' she adds. 'The touch of color on the moldings and fireplace surround allowed us to continue to bring in color and texture within the furnishings without feeling overdone or trend-driven.'

Shop the Look

Choosing a color scheme isn't always straightforward, particularly in history-rich homes where breathing new life into a room is a delicate affair. That's not to say you can't be adventurous with color, though. This characterful living room challenges conventional uses of color, and embraces both the old and the new. It's filled with rich, moody tones and uses inspired paint techniques that bring the intricate architectural details to life.

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