Inside A Joyful Tudor Full Of Color, Character, and Surprises

a neutral grand home with a large chimney, grass frontage with steps up to the front door and a series of small trees planted — (Image credit: Wit Interiors / Berkeley Craftsmen / Maria Anderson / Photography Vivian Johnson)

Color, character, and a sense of playfulness run through this Californian Tudor by Wit Interiors – but never at the expense of comfort. Instead, bold moments are carefully balanced with quieter ones, creating a home that feels as easy to live in as it is vibrant.

Designed for a family of six (yes, it's big), the brief centered on creating a space that could keep up with everyday life, mess and all. 'Nothing is too precious or off-putting,' says founder Whitney Riter Gelinas of the family-friendly house design.

Then come the details that catch you off guard. A hidden, Harry Potter-inspired reading nook tucked beneath the stairs. An Indian swing suspended in the living room. A bright pink mudroom. It’s these unexpected touches that give the home its sense of joy – transforming it from a historical home into something much more colorful.

a rear exterior of a 1915 tudor home in california — **Exterior:** A classic 1915 Tudor exterior sets the tone for what lies within, its traditional architecture carefully restored to honor the home’s heritage, while subtle updates ensure it feels just as welcoming and functional for modern family life.

Built in 1915, when Whitney came on board, this Tudor home still bore all the hallmarks of its era – leaded windows, original millwork, and a sense of grandeur. But bringing it into the present required a careful balancing act.

'When the owners first saw the home, they liked it but didn’t pull the trigger soon enough, and someone bought it out from under them. Heartbroken, they continued their search for a home that could suit their family. Six months later, when the home popped back up on the market, they knew it was meant to be and jumped on the opportunity,' she explains. 'A few weeks after it sold, I got an inquiry from the new owners.'

Tasked with the renovation, Whitney approached the project with a clear goal: to honor the home’s architectural integrity while shaping it around modern family life.

a floral wallpapered mudroom with vibrant pink cabinetry with hooks for shoes and coats — **Mudroom:** 'As the family's primary entry point, this space needed to be more than merely functional; it had to energize and welcome. The wife proposed painting the cabinetry a bold rani pink,' says Whitney. 'We then discovered the perfect Pichwai Lotus wallpaper by Mia Raey, which ties the entire space together with pattern and movement.'

For a household of six, that meant designing beyond aesthetics alone. The challenge wasn’t just to introduce color and personality, but to ensure every finish, fabric, and layout decision could withstand the chaos of daily life.

As Whitney explains, 'our clients sought to create a home that would serve as a gathering place not only for their family, but for their entire community,' imagining everything from school projects at the kitchen island to holiday celebrations at home.

At the same time, the design needed to strike a careful balance between past and present. 'They wanted to respect the home’s historical charm and original details but also wanted to bring their own heritage to play,' she says. For the wife, that meant 'honoring her Indian heritage with bright colors and interesting textiles,' while the husband was keen to incorporate family heirlooms.

a white painted living room in a tudor home with original windows and fireplaces — **Living Room**: 'A chaise lounge sofa faces a corner piano and custom cabinet housing a television with a pop-up mechanism. This deliberate design choice reflects the parents' philosophy: they wanted a room for living, not just screen time,' Whitney explains.

Practicality, though, was never an afterthought. With four young children, durability was key.

'In one of our first meetings, the wife said, “You know in families how there is that one person who is always making messes and then another spouse who makes sure the house stays in shape? Yeah, we don’t have that second person. We are both busy professionals, and the house is always going to be somewhat chaotic.”' says Whitney.

'As a mother of two young girls myself, I can very much relate to that sentiment. Life is messy, and your house should still feel like home even when things are out of place.'

a neutral white painted entryway with arched doorways a sweeping wooden staircase and antique furniture — **Entry:** In the entryway, the client's antique furniture pieces were restored by Revitalise to allow them to continue making memories for the family. The tulip-shaped wall sconces are by Restoration Hardware.

The entry sets the tone immediately – grand in scale, but far from formal. A sweeping staircase is crowned with an oversized sputnik chandelier just out of sight, 'inspired by the fixtures the homeowners used to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art when they lived in New York City,' Whitney explains.

Storage has been carefully considered to support the family and maximize every inch. 'A slender closet now features an abundance of hooks to accommodate the family's active lifestyle, from seasonal coats to tennis rackets and umbrellas.'

'Opposite, the area beneath the stairs has been transformed into a whimsical reading nook,' Whitney describes. 'A playful Harry Potter hideaway painted in deep blue and adorned with starry decals. An enchanting owl-shaped sconce provides ambient lighting, making this tucked-away corner the home's most magical spot.'

a moody home library with a wallpapered ceiling and original tudor fireplace — **Library:** 'From the outset, the library was envisioned as the husband's personal retreat. On move-in day, my team and I devoted hours to carefully sorting through books, sculptural objects, travel keepsakes, and artwork,' Whitney explains. 'We considered scale, color, and visual weight, arranging and rearranging until every item found its ideal home within the space.'

In contrast to the lighter, more playful spaces elsewhere, the library – where most of the husband's family relics live – leans into a richer vibe.

Here, the home’s original wood-paneled built-ins and fireplace take center stage, as does an impressive accent ceiling. 'Though the homeowner initially considered brightening the space, we ultimately embraced its inherent character, leaning into the room's naturally dramatic, enveloping atmosphere.. We decided to lean into the dark and moody feel by layering the ceiling with William Morris wallpaper.'

'The two chairs flanking the bay window carry special significance,' says Whitney. 'One inherited from the wife's grandfather, the other from the husband's grandmother.'

Each piece was carefully considered, so they could bring a piece of history into the space but recontextualize it for the family's own past and present.

a white bright living room with original leaded tudor windows and fireplace, a neutral couch and rattan chairs with lots of house plants and a wooden coffee table — **Living Room:** The light and bright living area boasts an original fireplace that the team carefully elevated with tile from Tile Fever in Sausalito. The sofas in the space, which sit back-to-back, are both custom from Furniture Envy and are paired with Four Hands' Kempsey Chairs in Ivory.

The living room is where the home feels the most calm. Generous in scale (its vastness originally felt daunting to the client), the space is thoughtfully divided into two distinct zones: a relaxed, family-focused seating area and a more intimate, conversational arrangement gathered around the fireplace.

'Twin seating areas flank the fireplace, offering an inviting spot for intimate gatherings or the family's favorite pastime – tackling elaborate jigsaw puzzles,' says Whitney.

'We preserved the fireplace's original structure while refreshing it with tumbled marble tile within the existing framework, lending the hearth a softer, more organic texture that complements the room's relaxed elegance,' she adds.

a tudor living room bay window with original leaded windows with an indian rope swing suspended from the ceiling — **Living Room:** Dialling up the playfulness of the home, an Indian-style Woven Rope Porch Swing from Etsy has been carefully suspended in the bay window. Whitney then had the seat covered in Furniture Envy's Performance Fabric in Crocus/Lavender and styled it with an Ikat Rug from Bloomingdale’s.

From the outset, one detail shaped the mood of the living room.

'In our first meeting, the wife mentioned that she wanted to put an Indian swing in the living room window alcove,' Whitney explains.

'She also hinted that we’d definitely have to find a way to incorporate lavender cushions. I’m happy to say, nearly every time I come to visit, someone is enjoying that swing!'

a white kitchen with a large range cooker with green tiles, a wallpapered wall, and a peninsula island with woven wooden bar stools — **Kitchen:** The light cabinetry in the kitchen has been accessorized with brass hardware from Rejuvenation and stylish tilework. The back wall has been tiled in Snow White Polished Arabesque Marble Mosaic by Country Floors, while tucked into the cooker nook are Zel Zellige Bejmat Vert Francaise Gloss tiles. The stools are Four Hands' Hamlin Counter Stools.

The kitchen, which needed a major overhaul, was reimagined as a true hub for daily life. Working alongside the architect and builder, the team opened up the layout, relocating key elements to ensure the space felt connected and sociable.

'The family loves to cook and often uses exotic spices, so it was imperative that the tile and countertops be able to stand up to daily rigor,' she explains of the statement cooker hook and green tile moment.

Functionality was always as much of a top priority as the aesthetics. 'We also made sure it had ample storage by literally labeling every single drawer and shelf before installing to make sure everything had a home.'

'The result is a kitchen that functions as beautifully as it looks – a testament to careful planning and masterful execution.'

a kitchen entry corridor with pantry cabinetry and a long vintage rug — **Kitchen:** 'The addition of the arched upper cabinets with ribbed glass fronts in the butler’s pantry was a detail we’re especially proud of,' says Whitney. 'The glass adds transparency and depth to what is naturally a narrower passageway, while the arches feel true to the home’s historical roots.' The countertops here are all Da Vinci Marble Taj Majal.

'Honoring the home's Tudor heritage guided several design decisions, including in the kitchen hallway, where we shaped the upper cabinetry with graceful arched profiles – a subtle nod to the architectural style,' Whitney explains.

'Initially, we planned an appliance garage to conceal the coffee maker, rice cooker, and other daily-use items. However, the client astutely observed that these weren't occasional appliances but everyday essentials requiring constant accessibility,' she continues.

'We pivoted, instead creating extra-tall clearance between the countertop and upper cabinets. This practical solution keeps frequently used appliances within easy reach while maintaining clean sight-lines.'

a white dining room with large arched doors and windows are either end, A blue painted accent ceiling and two brass statement pendants that hang over the table — **Dining Room:** 'The dining room artwork played a major role in our color story. We pulled the green shade into the kitchen backsplash, purple into the Indian swing, and bright pink into the mudroom cabinetry. It’s subtle, but your eye knows when colors are repeating.' Here, the Visual Comforts' Arabella Hanging Shades make a statement paired with more subtle Four Hands Abilene Chairs.

At the center of the home, the dining room is never short on guests.

Anchoring the space is a much-loved heirloom table, generously sized and extendable, ready to host everything from everyday meals to larger celebrations. 'Originally enclosed as a separate room, the space now flows openly into the kitchen, divided only by a generous peninsula with seating for all the children and cousins who regularly gather here,' Whitney explains.

It’s also where the home’s color story began. 'Among the project's most meaningful additions is an original commissioned painting by artist Sumanto Chowdhury, a native of Hyderabad, India, the wife's hometown. Working with Palo Alto's Laasya Art gallery, the family carefully collaborated on this deeply personal piece,' she continues.

'Originally, the client had wanted to paint the entire room blue, but we decided to just do the ceiling so as not to pull attention from the artwork or green Zellige backsplash in the kitchen,' Whitney continues.
'The dining room artwork played a major role in the color palette for the house, with blues and turquoise coming up time and time again.'

'Now prominently displayed, the painting infuses every family meal with a connection to heritage and home.'

a small powder room wit vibrant green wallpaper with jungle and monkey themed motifs — **Powder Room:** The small but mighty powder room is wrapped in Cole & Son's Savuti Wallpaper in Dark Viridian, paired with the Seagrove by Studio McGee x Kohler and an antique swan faucet. The wall lights are the Fontanelle Sconce from Restoration Hardware, and the hardware from Rejuvenation.

Another moment of surprise, the vibrant powder room transforms what was once an awkward pass-through space into something far more memorable.

'Architect Maria Anderson reimagined the layout entirely, carving out an ensuite bath for the adjacent guest bedroom while transforming the front portion into a standalone powder room,' Whitney explains.

'We approach powder rooms as an opportunity to surprise and delight. This one delivers in spades. Cole & Son's whimsical wallpaper features curious monkeys nonchalantly dining on fruit, their gaze cast downward upon visitors below,' she adds.

'The homeowner, never one to miss an opportunity for playful charm, suggested we find an equally spirited faucet. Enter the swan fixture: gracefully arched and perfectly in tune with the room's lighthearted sensibility.'

a bright bedroom painted blue with lots of windows and a wooden rattan bed — **Primary Bedroom:** To create a truly tranquil bedroom, Whitney chose Benjamin Moore's Rhine River to envelop this airy primary suite. CB2's Nadi Wood And Cane King Bed adds texture and warmth, while Safavieh's Meilana Nightstand sits alongside, with a Utilitaire Task Lamp in Brass from Restoration Hardware.

Upstairs, the dining room's color palette is carried through with a more relaxed mood. 'We continued the thread of weaving the clients’ cultural backgrounds and love of travel into the design, using color and materiality as our guide,' Whitney explains, resulting in spaces that feel 'layered, personal, and joyful.'

'For the primary suite, we envisioned a restorative sanctuary – a place for calm and rejuvenation,' she explains of the main bedroom.

'The walls are painted a soothing blue-green with a subtle hint of gray, setting a serene tone,' she adds. 'Mixed materials continue here as well, including a custom-sized bone inlay dresser designed to fit the space perfectly.'

a large primary ensuite with marble trimmed arches into a sauna and shower — **Primary Bathroom:** 'The marble arches in the primary bathroom required a bold vision, and we couldn't be more pleased with the result. Working with Berkeley Craftsmen proved invaluable.' Everything in here is custom, designed by Wit Interiors, with sanitaryware from Waterworks and an Iznik Tile Panel from Iznik Cini.

The primary bathroom is, without question, the home’s sanctuary – inspired by the clients’ love of travel. 'The husband had a vision of an ultra luxurious bathroom with a walk-in shower on one side and a sauna on the other,' Whitney recalls.

Drawing on the client's memories of time spent in Turkey, the design centers around a striking Iznik tile mural, framed by twin marble archways.

'When we started the project, they had mentioned that they’d love to have something akin to Iznik tile in the primary bathroom,' Whitney explains. 'Turns out there is nothing out there like the real thing. After scouring local tile showrooms, it was ultimately the clients who found a vendor online who could create a custom Iznik mosaic to our specifications. They shipped them directly from Turkey, and thankfully, not a single tile came damaged.'

a soft blue painted kids room with a rattan sculptural headboard, a small pink drum shaped nightstand and a view through to an ensuite bathroom — **Children's Room:** Annapolis Green by Benjamin Moore was chosen by the client's daughter for her timeless bedroom. Whitney then sourced a Vintage Rattan Headboard, London Circa 1910, for her bed and styled it with a vintage botanical print and a Hennessy Lampworks light.

The children’s rooms continue the home’s layered approach, but with a lighter, more playful touch. 'We wanted each space to feel individual while still connected,' Whitney explains.

'The second-oldest daughter gravitated toward blue for her bedroom walls, too. We chose a blue with soft green undertones, which flows naturally into her bathroom,' she continues. 'Because we are a fan of unexpected colors, we chose a custom lamp topped with a bright yellow lamp shade dyed using the leaves of a passionflower vine growing in the local vendor's garden.'

'In the bathroom, the custom vanity and wainscoting are painted a deep teal, complemented by handmade subway tiles. The transparent finish catches the light beautifully, emphasizing the tile’s artisanal quality.'

a kids room with a small built-in reading nook with purple floral wallpaper, a banquette, and curved bookshelves — **Children's Room:** Up in the turret, Love vs Design Mushrooms & Fairies Wallpaper provides a magical backdrop. Wit Interiors designed the custom bookcase and reading seat with an upholstered cushion in Peter Dunham fabric in Heera White/Ocean.

It’s often the smallest spots that leave the biggest impression – and throughout this home, those moments are given just as much thought as the grander spaces.

'The two youngest children share a bedroom, and lucky them – they got the room with the turret,' says Whitney of the space above. 'What was once an awkwardly designed closet became a cozy reading nook, complete with a custom-built-in bookcase and a storage bench. The wallpaper, cream-colored with dancing violet fairies, adds a sense of magic to the space, and a small shelf was thoughtfully integrated into the bookcase – just big enough for a couple of mugs of hot chai.'

'I want people to both feel welcome and at ease, but also occasionally surprised by the bolder elements,' she adds.

a small laundry room with blue mosaic floor tiles and blue painted wood trims — **Laundry Room:** 'The laundry room was brightened with a porcelain encaustic-look tile, offering the charm of patterned concrete without the maintenance. We pulled a blue tone from the tile to paint the trim, baseboards, and door, creating a cohesive and cheerful space.'

As Whitney explains, the home’s aesthetic strikes a careful balance between creative and calm.

'The style of this home is exceedingly eclectic but grounded by personal, meaningful pieces that speak to their heritage while still feeling appropriate for a modern family,' she adds. 'We knew we wanted to make this a fun, color-forward home, but were careful not to go so far that it felt like you were at a circus.'

'Trust us its a very fine line, but one of the ways we were able to make the house feel grounded was by painting all the walls in the main spaces white,' she adds. 'This way, we could layer on color, texture, and patterns against a more neutral backdrop. We also picked a few key colors, mainly blue and turquoise, that we repeated throughout the house,' Whitney explains of the color scheme for the whole home.

a large home library with original tudor bay window, a large vintage rug, blue sofa, accent wallpapered ceiling and wooden fireplace with bookcase built-ins — **Library:** 'Among the family heirlooms, one unexpected star emerged: a rather unassuming standing lamp that had seen better days. After professional refinishing and being crowned with a vibrant House of Hackney Artemis Velvet Isabella Lampshade in Petrol, this once-overlooked piece transformed into a stunning focal point.'

For Whitney, a project always starts with understanding the people behind the project. 'A big part of my intake process is getting to know families. Do they entertain, do they listen to a lot of music, watch a lot of TV, what was their favorite family trip?'

Here, those answers shaped a home that feels deeply personal, layered not just with color and pattern, but heirlooms too. 'Many of our favorite pieces were already part of the clients’ collection,' Whitney adds.

'They brought along incredible vintage finds that we were able to reimagine with fresh fabrics and finishes, like the settee in the entry hall and a pair of chairs we repurposed in the library. Giving new life to well-loved pieces added depth, character, and a sense of history that can’t be replicated.'

'Despite hectic work schedules and the rigors of daily family life, the clients were very involved and always showed up with a smile, sense of humor, and interesting perspective,' Whitney reflects. 'We weren’t just creating the home for this family but their greater community. Knowing that this would be where high holidays, birthdays, slumber parties, fundraisers, and class group projects would take place made the work even more important.'

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Charlotte is the style and trends editor at Homes and Gardens and has been with the team since Christmas 2023. Following a 5 year career in Fashion, she has worked at many women's glossy magazines including Grazia, Stylist, and Hello!, and as Interiors Editor for British heritage department store Liberty. Her role at H&G fuses her love of style with her passion for interior design, and she is currently undergoing her second home renovation - you can follow her journey over on @olbyhome