If there's one thing that we're constantly in awe of, it's how interior designers can creatively solve design dilemmas and transform lifeless rooms into the warm, welcoming, and stylish spaces we can call home. There's a certain magic that happens, from the transfer of energy in the pieces you decide to incorporate into the space. In the end, you can literally feel the shift. The only dilemma post-makeover is finding a reason to leave—I want to hibernate in my new apartment.
When Lisa Staton of Lisa Staton Interior Design approached this 1931 brick Tudor home in Seattle, she wanted to introduce modernity to the interior while still maintaining the history. That's no mean feat when you have 4200 square feet to cover (five bedrooms, four bathrooms), but Staton managed to create a truly memorable space for just $120,000.
The bulk of the work involved reconfiguring the entire kitchen/family room, but she managed to keep it within the budget by asking the original cabinet vendor to tweak and remake cabinets as needed. They installed new countertops, flooring, light fixtures, plumbing (in the kitchen and bathrooms) and painted the entire exterior and interior of the home.
Read on to hear more about Staton's makeover process and shop the look.
Staton tells me that the house had a larger remodel prior to her client purchasing it, but it was a more formal style. "The rooms were a bit more chopped up in the main living zone," she says. Her goal was to simplify the floor plan, and tone down the business of the finishes by establishing a clean, crisp, and classic rhythm of black-and-white finishes (both inside and out) and then layering on classic and more modern pieces to add warmth and texture.
Staton wanted the family room to be warm and classic but still fresh and modern in feel. The custom tufted sofa is a modern take on an old English classic. She added the vintage Turkish rug for a layer of old world charm, and they fit perfectly with the French style Big Daddy's Antiques chairs, which are comfortable but also elegant and clean.
The vintage brass and glass coffee table with the Hudson Valley sconces add a bit of midcentury glamour.
The living room is located in the older original part of the house. They completely re-did the fireplace in soapstone to match the kitchen countertops, which helped to modernize and simplify the design.
Some of the furniture was brought in from the clients previous home including the vintage Moroccan rug in the living room that used to be in a bedroom. "We added blue mud cloth throws and vintage Turkish textile pillows for color and texture," she says.
There is a very strategic composition to this living room that feels both incredibly inviting and comfortable yet high-end and stylish.
The dining room has low ceilings, so Staton updated the lighting to sconces and can lights. The rustic live edge table from Crate & Barrel is paired with classic wishbone chairs, but they added leather and brass end chairs for a bit more formality.
Simple sconces from Circa Lighting pair well with the Deb Achak art. It's a lovely mix of traditional and modern styles, which we know has been a huge trend this year. The textural vintage flatweave rug helps to anchor the minimal space and provide a little color.
From the get-go, Staton's client knew that she wanted to paint the outside brick white and windows black so they decided to bring that palette indoors too. "It's a family of five that cooks and entertains regularly, so we needed open flowing spaces that could accommodate small and larger gatherings," says Staton. The clients previous home was a 1950s Scandi house (which Staton also worked on with them), so they wanted to incorporate some of those pieces but bring in those traditional English Tudor accents like the classic soapstone countertops, vintage rugs, tufted sofa in a nod to the more classic architecture.
The powder room looks expensive, but in reality, Staton tells me it was the most affordable face-lift of the entire home. She switched out the faucet to a classic cross handle levers from Kingston Brass and then gave the powder room some wow factor with the Kelly Wearstler wallpaper.
If there's one room to experiment with, it's the powder room, and this one doesn't hesitate. We can see this one really impressing your house guests.
A custom tufted bed nods to the Tudor house style, and Staton also paired warm textures and textiles to keep the primary bedroom open and airy.
Primary Bedroom
The term “Primary Bedroom” is now widely used to describe the largest bedroom in the home, as it better reflects the space’s purpose. Many realtors, architects, interior designers, and the Real Estate Standards Association have recognized the potentially discriminatory connotations in the term “Master.” Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge.
The Apex ceiling really does all the work bringing dimension and visual intrigue to the space. This bedroom looks modern and clean but with that classic Tudor style elevating the mix and bringing a new perspective.
The daughter's bedroom looks very modern and cool but with a playful approach. We love that they swapped out the typical children's bed with a Serena & Lily daybed.
The primary bathroom was a simple re-do of faucets, mirrors, lighting, and art. The black-and-white palette continues here too, and it's a sleek look that won't date.
Primary Bathroom
The term “Primary Bathroom” is now widely used to describe the largest bathroom in the home, as it better reflects the space’s purpose. Many realtors, architects, interior designers, and the Real Estate Standards Association have recognized the potentially discriminatory connotations in the term “Master.” Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge.
Staton wanted the home office to be open, fresh, classic, and a little mod. We think she nailed it.