This 'Timeless Heritage' Home Hides Bold, Unexpected Rooms Behind Its Classic Design

Step into certain rooms of this new home, and it feels very familiar; you know what you are getting. The style is classic and calming, with neutral schemes, soft textures, and clear connections to the beautiful landscape that surrounds it. But move into another room, and it’s a completely different story, where color and pattern create spaces that are joyfully unexpected.

And that was the whole point. Designer Stephanie Wiott worked closely with the homeowners to create a house design that embraced these wonderful moments of contrast while still feeling timeless and cohesive.

‘This home was a new construction project located in Zionsville, Indiana,’ explains Stephanie. ‘From the beginning, it was an opportunity to create something truly intentional – designing every detail from the ground up to reflect both beauty and livability. I would describe it as Timeless Heritage – a balance of classic forms and details paired with fresh, elevated selections.’

From the very beginning, this home was meant to focus on family life: the perfect place for hosting sunny summer weekends and cozy holiday feasts. For Stephanie, working closely with the clients to gain insight into how they lived was key. The project was truly collaborative, with both sides equally involved in every decision.

‘The clients were an absolute joy to work with,’ says Stephanie. ‘We met weekly, which was key to the success of the project. Those standing meetings kept every detail at the forefront, allowing us to thoughtfully work through selections and ensure nothing was overlooked. It was a highly collaborative and engaged process from start to finish. They were incredibly open and trusting, which allowed us to push the design in thoughtful ways. The end result is something we’re all incredibly proud of.’

‘While our natural styles initially leaned in different directions – hers more traditional and mine more transitional – we embraced that contrast and collaborated to create something that felt both timeless and fresh. The goal was to design a home that honored classic elements while introducing a more updated perspective.’

That contrast of styles is what makes this home unique. You think you have worked it out and then, stepping into another room, the feeling is totally different. And yet, there’s a cohesiveness to the contrasting spaces; the rooms don’t feel random, jumping from one style to another. The connection is more subtle than simply repeating the same color or pattern. Stephanie explains that she actually used texture to create a natural connection throughout the house.

‘We were very intentional about the flow from one space to the next. Even as we introduced bolder elements – whether through wallpaper, color, or materiality – we ensured there was a connective thread throughout. That cohesion comes from repetition in tone, texture, and overall feeling, even when the palette shifts. The clients’ willingness to step outside the box also made it possible to create those moments of contrast while still feeling harmonious.’

‘The kitchen was a central focus,’ explains Stephanie. ‘We wanted it to feel both functional and enduring, while also pushing beyond the expected. Every decision was made with longevity in mind – creating a space that will feel just as relevant decades from now.’

This is one of the most neutral rooms in the home, where soft whites mix with pale plaster tones, and the texture Stephanie describes adds depth and interest to the space. It’s a timeless color scheme, but not a flat one; the quartz countertops and backsplash add subtle dimension alongside the wooden accents. The gold fixtures bring a touch of luxury, yet the space still feels highly livable and comfortably lived in.

While the kitchen may be calm and classic, hidden just out of sight is a bold butler’s pantry, painted in a beautiful blue-gray that offers a quiet contrast to the adjoining room. The matching gold details create a sense of connection, allowing the spaces to still feel cohesive.

The dining room is almost open-plan with the kitchen, so from the calm color scheme, you also catch sight of this unexpected moody burgundy – the perfect color for a cozy, intimate dining space. The homeowners wanted their antique collection to still work in their new home while embracing a more contemporary feel, which is where Stephanie’s talent for transitional design came into play, bringing together pieces such as the striking mahogany dining set with a sleek chandelier.

Much like the kitchen, the feel in the main living room is one of calm. The colors and the textures mirror the views beyond, and the huge windows almost pull the surrounding landscape into the room.

'The living room became an unexpected highlight,' says Stephanie. 'It began with the client's vision for Old English–inspired paneling, but what truly elevates the space is its connection to the outdoors. The expansive views of the lush landscape bring in warmth and richness that complement the room beautifully.'

Underneath the light-filled home is an expansive basement, complete with a wet bar, dining and lounging space, as well as a wine room. The lack of light naturally meant Stephanie chose a moody palette with dark woods, charcoal gray, and plenty of wood to add warmth to the open space.

'The basement was an opportunity to have fun with the design,' says Stephanie. 'The glass-enclosed wine room features a trimmed, antique mirrored ceiling that adds depth and drama, while the lighting and hardware act as jewelry within the space. The bar strikes a balance between modern and classic, designed to feel elevated and timeless.'

Much like the downstairs rooms, the bedrooms each have their own character. The main bedroom has a timeless appeal with a touch of vintage charm, but in the guest bedrooms, pale greens are used to create a serene sleep space, and chocolate mauve tones create a sophisticated feel.

One of the must-haves was a magical room for their granddaughter. 'The butterfly room turned out to be my personal favorite space,' says Stephanie. 'Inspired by the butterfly garden at Mackinac Island, it was designed as a whimsical, magical retreat for the clients’ grandchildren. Once we discovered the wallpaper, the entire vision came to life. It’s one of those spaces that truly has to be experienced – every child who walks in is completely captivated.'

The most playful room in the home is perhaps the most unexpected – the gym. Apart from the clear giveaway of the exercise equipment, the room feels more like a chic playroom or home office. Stephanie repurposed an antique armoire to use as storage and give the space a very un-gym-like feel.

'We can't forget the exercise room. The Benjamin Franklin wallpaper was so fun and definitely unexpected. You either love it or hate it. We LOVE it!' says Stephanie.

You may have noticed by now, but what makes this home feel both bold and livable is that the central spaces are the ones that play it safe with classic colors and decor. The kitchen, living rooms, and main bedroom all have that timeless heritage style that Stephanie talks about. It's the smaller adjoining rooms that get the fun treatment – the powder rooms, pantry, dining room, and guest spaces – the rooms that don't see as much action and are therefore obvious places to be bolder.

The result is a home that balances being both enduring and exciting; it's traditional where it needs to be, but far from predictable.

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