A Giant Theater Backdrop, Flamingo Wallpaper, and an Unexpected '90s Movie Reference – This Joyful Family Home Has It All

If ever there were a home that proves age has little to do with character, it's this colorful family property in Orlando. Situated on a canal, the house was built in 2014 as part of a wider development. Yet step inside today, and you'd be forgiven for assuming it had stood for decades, layered with collected treasures, architectural quirks, and stories of its own.

When the homeowners enlisted Studio Day Design, however, the reality was quite different. Like many new-builds, the house was essentially a blank slate – while the bones were solid, the family longed for a home with more personality; somewhere they could 'come home, relax, and encourage their kids to grow up creating and exploring creative ideas,' says founder Deidre Webster.

The inspiration came from an unlikely source: the 1996 cult movie classic The Birdcage. Drawing on the film's theatrical spirit, vibrant colors, and Art Deco architecture of nearby South Beach, Deidre began building a scheme that felt equal parts playful and nostalgic. Gothic details, dark wood, shiny metals, tapestry textiles, striped beach umbrellas, and pastel-painted buildings all found their way into the mood board.

What followed was less a home renovation and more a process of storytelling. Vintage furniture was sourced from across the country, architectural details were introduced where none existed before, and every room was given its own distinct personality. Throughout, the guiding idea remained simple: nothing should feel too precious. Instead, the home was designed to be used, enjoyed, and filled with the energy of everyday family life. The result is an interior design style that feels difficult to pin down – part Florida retreat, part theater set, part family home. And somehow, despite all the color, pattern, and collected pieces, it feels entirely effortless. 'They wanted to give the home some layers that make it feel less new,' Deidre explains. 'They knew they would need to furnish it as well as add paint, wallpaper, and other colorful moments.'

Every home has a starting point, and in this case, it wasn't a paint color or a piece of furniture. 'The very first thing selected for the project is probably the most special in my mind,' says Deidre. 'The client was living in L.A. when he found this incredible French play backdrop. It fills the entire wall of the dining room with no room to spare. People might expect a tapestry or something a little more Spanish, but I think this piece alludes to the tapestry moment, but with an unexpected twist,' she explains. Hung floor-to-ceiling against deep navy walls, it brings a sense of history to what was once a blank-slate new-build. The effect feels almost cinematic, as though the room itself has become part of a stage set.

More importantly, Deidre felt it echoed something deeper about the family that lives here. 'I think this piece reflects the family's creativity, and it circles back to the concept – Birdcage is set in a South Beach club with performances, and one scene in particular is during practice on a stage,' she adds. Part artwork, part conversation piece, the backdrop establishes the playful, imaginative spirit that would come to define every room that followed.

While the theater backdrop may have inspired the creative direction, it was the layering of color, pattern, and vintage furnishings that brought the vision to life. Throughout the home, Studio Day focused less on changing the footprint and more on introducing the style of character often associated with much older houses. New arches were added where walls felt flat, custom millwork created focal points, and rooms were given a stronger sense of identity despite the open-plan layout. The living room offers one of the clearest examples of this approach. Connecting the kitchen with two outdoor spaces, it serves as the heart of the home, yet Deidre was keen to ensure it felt like a room in its own right.

'We added the 1930's Spanish-inspired glass front cabinets to create a focal point in the room,' says Deidre. 'The furnishings in this room are mostly vintage, including a Kagan sofa recovered in a tapestry-like fabric. Although we integrated a lot of vintage items, we stuck with the client's saying – "nothing precious!" – and ensured the fabrics were durable and easy to clean,' she adds of the approach to family-friendly design.

Elsewhere, details such as decorative ceiling beams, medallions, and custom built-ins continue the illusion that the house has evolved naturally over time. Vintage pieces were equally important in creating that lived-in feel. 'We are always searching for the best quality vintage sellers and finds,' she says. 'We appreciate the quality and the history of furniture that already exists. I also love how it's never really perfect. It has a character that you can't find in something new.'

Throughout the house, antique desks, Swedish armoires, rosewood chairs, vintage lighting, and one-of-a-kind accessories sit comfortably alongside custom designs and contemporary pieces. 'We used a few new items, but we tried to source them from quality makers like Alfred Newall, Lawsone Fenning, and Stahl and Band,' Deidre adds. The home's playful personality announces itself almost immediately. Washed in a rich green limewash, the entry sets a decidedly different tone from the neutral new-build interiors that once occupied the space. Inside, a tiger candle holder 'brings in some humor and color', while outdoors, vintage teak twig chairs evoke an authentic Mediterranean style.

Just off the foyer sits the homeowner's office, a space designed to support both focused work and creative thinking. Anchored by a substantial antique desk, the room balances the weight and character of vintage finds with more playful touches. 'The client uses the large wall to post his creative process with different colored masking tape,' Deidre explains of the wall decor. 'When that presentation is done, he pulls down the pages from the project but leaves the tape on the wall. Over time, the tape will build up and create what feels like an art installation of its own,' she adds. From there, you're led through to the living area. 'Although the space is an open floor plan, we wanted the living area to feel like it was its own room,' Deirde adds.

Rather than gutting the kitchen and starting from scratch, Deidre focused on making a series of thoughtful changes that would give the space greater warmth and personality. 'We painted the cabinets, replaced the plumbing fixtures, and built a new custom bar,' she says of the transformation. 'We wanted the bar to feel like it was a piece of furniture, so we used walnut burl for the inside panels and red oak for the frame.' The project also embraced a more sustainable approach where possible. Rather than replacing the marble countertop that originally sat atop the kitchen island, the team carefully removed and repurposed it for the primary bathroom vanity. Meanwhile, in the adjacent breakfast nook, a newly added archway introduces the architectural detail the space had been lacking.

While the home's shared spaces celebrate creativity, the primary bedroom was conceived as a place to slow down and recharge – but of course, it doesn't lack the joy of the rest of the house. 'The clients are so busy at this phase of life, and this space was very important in making it their personal retreat,' says Deidre. The room's standout feature is a remarkable 19th-century Swedish folk armoire, sourced after an extensive search for a solution that could discreetly conceal the television without allowing it to dominate the space. 'They wanted a small area for a TV but didn't want it to be the focal point,' explains Deidre. 'We paired it with vintage armchairs in the original upholstery – the client's favorite color is orange, so these could not have been a better fit!'

The project's sense of whimsy extends effortlessly into the children's spaces, where color, pattern, and imagination take center stage. 'This project felt easy and fun. The client pushed for more creative solutions rather than being nervous or reserved,' Deidre adds of the home's playful side. In one bedroom, a bed nook transforms a simple sleeping area into something far more magical. Packed with color, personality, and practical furnishings, the nearby family room 'is a place that is important for the whole family to come together and create, watch movies, and relax. We wanted to keep it casual and packed with color,' Deidre adds.

That same playful spirit continues in the bathrooms, where Studio Day Design embraced a lighthearted side. For the pool bathroom, Deidre leaned into 'Florida in a cheeky way'. House of Hackney's iconic flamingo wallpaper immediately sets the tone, while a custom vanity and a mosaic floor add further layers of character. Meanwhile, for all the memorable moments throughout the house, it's the powder room that ultimately became the homeowner's favorite. 'It reminds me of going to the beach and finding treasures in the sand among all the striped umbrellas,' she continues. 'This bathroom felt like a really bold moment, and I wasn't sure how it would translate to a powder room, which originally had such a modern aesthetic.' But the gamble paid off.

The playful spirit that defines the interiors continues outdoors, where Studio Day Design transformed the rear terrace into an extension of the home's vibrant personality. Framed by a series of Mediterranean-style arches and overlooking the pool, the covered patio balances the relaxed atmosphere of a resort with the eclectic, color-filled vibes found inside. Coral dining chairs, striped upholstery, and punchy accents bring energy to the space out back, while the home's front courtyard offers a glimpse of the character that awaits within. 'We wanted the front to feel like a Spanish courtyard but with a little more color than expected.'

It's hard to believe this colorful, character-filled home began life as a blank-slate new-build just over a decade ago. Today, thanks to Studio Day Design's fearless use of color, vintage treasures, and movie-inspired flourishes, it feels as though it has been evolving for generations.

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