Despite being drenched in dark colors, this 1930s remodeled home feels soft and livable – proof that a bolder scheme can still work with a charming country style
Located in Irvington, New York, you'll find a historic family home that embraces pattern, color, and all things vintage


Located in the village of Irvington, New York, is a quaint 1930s family home filled with bags of country charm. Lovingly redesigned yet still sympathetic to its historic status, the designers incorporated as many vintage touches as possible, from whimsical floral wallpapers to antique lighting. The result is a colonial-style home that perfectly balances the past with the present.
Designed by the interior design studio White Arrow, the Irvington property teaches us a lesson in many things, from seamless storage to balancing the old with the new; it's not hard to pinpoint its many virtues. However, its ultra-chic color palette and heritage prints are what truly bring this home to life.
A home that nails the modern farmhouse style, the Irvington property is classically inspired yet liveable and cozy, and perfectly exhibits the power of color and its ability to revive, inspire, and comfort.
With its quaint blue seating area and rustic tiled floor, the mudroom welcomes visitors, providing them with their first glimpse of the home's charming color palette.
Acknowledging the best blue paints, the designers opted for a heritage-inspired blue that falls somewhere between a navy and denim. Framing the space, the shade provides interest without dominating, making a simple storage bench and window feel like a stylish statement. Balanced with touches of white and disty pattern, it's an area anyone would be happy to linger in.
Channelling transitional design principles, the studio brought the dining room to life by fusing new touches with the old. The antique dining table and vintage-inspired dining chairs bring an aged feel that aligns with the building's history. The charming floral wallpaper enhances the vintage-inspired look, but is balanced by the refreshing blue paint color used on the window and door frames.
A sympathetic choice that provides depth and coziness without dominating, the room is a refreshing take on country decorating ideas. The classic vintage pieces and whimsical print are balanced by the soothing blue that accentuates the period architecture.
Keren Richter, co-founder of White Arrow explains, 'I love the immersive feel of the dining room with its original built-in cabinetry, the new immersive scenic wallpaper, statement pendant light, and antique farmhouse table. The room is right off the kitchen, and you see into it when you enter the home from the entry.'
Taking inspiration from traditional dining room ideas, the designers balanced its period features with contemporary touches, straying far from fusty or old-fashioned. The unique blue contrasts with the dark wood accents and breathes new life into the space. The luxurious pendant light provides ambience, bringing elegance and delicacy that balances the dark colors.
The entryway is seemingly simple but is in fact filled with elegant, bespoke touches. Donning a classic white paint color, the space is refreshingly soothing, the perfect in-between space that's modern yet classic.
Many period features make up the area, from the wood parquet flooring to the quaint round window and curved bannister, the designers have allowed the architecture to shine. A textured jute runner adorns the stairs, providing the perfect contrast against the smooth floor and white walls. The antique pendant light and console are sympathetic to early 20th-century architecture, giving the space a vintage charm.
The living room has been decorated with blue and white, a heritage-inspired pairing that almost always radiates sophistication and timelessness.
Referring to the transitional style of the home, Keren says, 'The home features an eclectic variety of bespoke, vintage, and contemporary pieces, a mix of mid-century Swedish antiques alongside American Shaker furniture, and an eclectic range of exuberant British and Scandinavian textiles.'
The living room showcases this mixture, featuring an array of patterns from the armchairs to the cushions. These pops of print give the room a whimsical nature that's balanced with the more refined velvet.
A farmhouse kitchen that's refreshingly bright and airy, the space radiates tranquility. With clever built-in cabinetry and sturdy surfaces, the kitchen is a lesson in combining style with endurance.
'Our client has three young children, and throughout the project, we considered how to balance sophistication alongside functionality, explains Keren. There’s ample storage, durable fabrics, and a lovely, collected mix of new and vintage allows the home to feel layered, colorful, and comfortable.'
The arabescato marble counteracts the white kitchen, providing an alternate texture and pattern (and of course, a touch of luxury).
Situated in the corner of the kitchen is the elegant breakfast nook, perfect for the family to start their day in. A space that once again balances old and new, the designers have incorporated rustic furniture and heritage print to give it some charm and a country edge.
The rattan blinds allow light to filter through and enhance the rusticity of the space. Attached to the kitchen, the breakfast nook feels aligned in both style and substance, with its built-in window seat, it's a practical yet deeply stylish space.
The bedroom is an unexpected addition to the home. Decorated in a deep pink, the palette is deeply moody and enriches the space with warmth, inviting you to enter. Keren describes the room as one of her highlights: 'The cozy monochromatic primary bedroom, featuring richly painted Farrow and Ball walls, complemented by bedding, lampshades, and a burgundy painted Shaker dresser.'
Despite feeling one-of-a-kind in style and palette, the bedroom features familiar touches, such as the vintage floral bedding and the Scandinavian style geometric rug, which balance the heaviness of the rose paint.
The powder room has a familiar heritage feel that we've seen throughout the home. It's a refreshing take on vintage design. With the whimsical, ditsy wallpaper and the brass accents, it's the perfect ode to all things historic, yet still feels uplifting and welcoming. The marble pedestal sink adds to its grandeur and enhances its luxury, balanced by the aged tap and antique 1950s mirror.
Shop the look
This project proves that color and print can entirely transform a home, and even when a bold palette is used, it can still feel soft and livable. Each room feels unique yet still connected to the overall design, all featuring a mix of old and new decor and furniture. The vintage-inspired, heritage prints and sophisticated paint shades bring a sense of charm and comfort, giving the historic home a refreshing and revitalized status.
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I am the Interior Design News Editor at Homes and Gardens, covering mainly US-based designers and trending news stories. My love for interiors began when I interned in an interior design studio, working on commercial and private spaces. My passion grew while working in production, where I sourced beautiful locations for photoshoots and campaigns. Outside of work, I enjoy collecting antique decor and mid-century furniture for my home.
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