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New and Improved : Hillcrest v.3
My final installment (for now) on the Hillcrest renovation. This area definitely receives the award for most “new and improved”!
The Mudroom (and then some)
Before
What I call Hillcrest’s “back-of-house” was originally three distinct spaces – the den, a bath (I use that term loosely), and a hallway to the rear yard. All three rooms were cramped and too small to function well. In fact, the bath was just a quarter bath; that means a toilet and NO SINK (?!). The whole footprint of this area made absolutely no sense and needed a major overhaul to accommodate a practical lifestyle. First, there was no use wasting space on another sitting room when I needed a proper powder room and coat closet. Second, having a fluffy, large breed dog in Minnesota meant a mudroom was CRITICAL.
(above) The original floorplan. The arrows labeled 1 and 2 indicate the direction of the views shown in the photos.
Before photos of View 1 (above) and view 2 (below). You can see the house was in pretty rough shape. Also visible is the “dimensional texture” on the walls that I mentioned in my last post.
After
Space planning is one of the most valuable skills a designer can have. Working with what you have and “fixing” an area without making it bigger is hugely satisfying. This space just needed thoughtful consideration to make it sing. Now it’s my favorite room in the house. I store my china here and all my fall/winter coats. I can do laundry and pot plants. I use the sink as a wetbar when entertaining. It’s Ursi’s access to the yard and where I wipe her off if she’s wet or muddy. And not to be understated, drenching the room in one color* helped quiet the envelope and make the room feel cohesive. If you have watched my IG/Tiktok video about the Hillcrest upstairs hall, you will know I love to color drench a room/space that has a lot of “perforations”.
* Want to know the paint color? Leave a message on this post to request the spec.
The revised “back-of-house” layout. It actually feels larger and more cohesive now even though I packed six or so functions into it.
After photo of view 1 (above). Closing off the living room made all this possible. The double doors open to my primary coat closet. The cabinet to the left holds my china, glassware, etc.
View 2 (below) includes the sink area, exterior access (the opening was moved), and two doors that open to amenities … see next images. The marble I chose for the counter and splashes is called Arabescato Corchia and is a refreshing counterpoint to the olive green envelope.
(above) Two shots of the east end of room with doors closed vs. open – revealing the powder room and laundry closet respectively. I do have a large laundry room downstairs, but this one is great for smaller, daily loads.
(below L) A closer look at the powder room that now includes an all-important sink! (below R) Detail of china cabinet doors with custom hardware, chicken wire, and striped curtains from Europe. Click the photo to see a video of what I keep inside ; )
A few detail shots worth sharing:
I hope you enjoyed spending time in this part of my home a much as I do! Please feel free to post your questions about selections, etc. I am happy to answer anything requested directly here on the Luxe & Lucid blog.
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New and Improved : Hillcrest v.2
My series on the Hillcrest renovation (aka chez Huntley) continues. Today I am focusing on the living room. It’s the largest room in the house and where I spend most of my time. Be aware, the before photos were taken in the summer whereas the after photos were all shot in winter months. You will see how significantly the temperature of the light changes in Minnesota.
The Living Room
Before
It was the living room’s elegant proportions, wood burning fireplace, and robust cove crown that attracted me when I first saw the house. The room beyond was a small den/study.
After
I retained the cove and the windows, but as you can see, the mantle received a major makeover inluding a plaster overmantle for height. I also scraped the thick, dimensional texture off the walls, refinished the floors, introduced lighting, and added a gracious arched* entry that now aligns with the fireplace.
* See my previous post for the arch origin story.
It’s not obvious because of the coromandel screen behind my sofa, but I closed off the opening at this end of the room (the entry to the den). I didn’t need another sitting room nor did I want my office within view. Closing off that opening provided a proper area for my seating arrangement as well as a place to install my gorgeous screen. Most importantly, repurposing the den gave me the space for a mudroom, powder room, closet, laundry, and china cabinet. Arguably, the best architectural decision of the entire renovation … to be covered in vol 3.
Before
Two additional views of the living room; one facing north (top) and the other facing south (bottom). Note the difference in the opening to the hall, and the deteriorating wallpaper and valances.
The door you see in the entry hall opens to a vestibule. This was another “utility” space that received major changes in order to better serve the house’s function and aesthetics. More on that later.
After
The south side of the room has bookcases on one side (L) and a curved sofa on the other (R). This is my dog Ursi’s favorite spot because she can watch the foot traffic (and bunnies, squirrels, etc.) out the front window.
Above is a view of the south end of the room at night. #goodvibes
See you next week when I share the transformation of what was the den and is now my “back-of-house” miracle room.
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New and Improved : Hillcrest v.1
The new year inspires all of us to make changes in our a) relationships, b) career, c) diet, d) all of the above in service of a better life. As an interior designer, “new and improved” is my modus operandi. My own home has had me knee-deep in renovation since purchasing it in 2022. To describe it as a fixer-upper is an understatement. It was in a tragic state of disrepair when I took ownership with the last “improvements” having been made circa 1975. Not attractive and just the way I like it. The uglier the better. Give me good bones and a hideous interior because I will shine that baby right up and turn it into the beauty it was meant to be.
The Kitchen
Before
An awkward configuration of cabinets (desk next to oven?), laminate counters and linoleum floors are just some of the kitchen’s highlights. The unnecessary bulkhead, small window and contrasting upper/lower wallpaper application make the room appear shorter than it is.
After
The larger scaled, Tecate tiles expand the space and speak to the Spanish Colonial architecture. The raised-panel cabinetry flanking the stove is symmetrical and starts at the ceiling. It’s painted in a cream color that coordinates with the subway tiles, plaster hood, and adjacent trim for a quiet, consistent envelope. I installed a tall casement window with flanking sidelights where the short window used to be to let in more light and heighten the room’s proportions.
Before
Apparently symmetry and alignment were not priorities for the previous owners. Note, the sink and window placement! Clearly the haphazard layout needed to be reinvented for the 21st century. To do this required one important subtraction (hint: look at the lower left cabinet) among numerous others as well as one subtle, but important addition.
After
The first step in reorganization was the removal of the radiator that took up the entire lower cabinet to the left of the sink. Eliminating it gave me the flexibility to move the refrigerator. In lieu of the radiator, I added in-floor heating to this space and other “back of house” rooms. Other features subtracted for good measure included the ceiling fan, jimmy-rigged side-by-side windows, stovetop, and double-swing door to the dining room.
The quietly significant addition is the full height cabinet at the right that conceals the microwave, my small appliances, as well as the trash/recycling below. I loathe clutter, so tucking away miscellany keeps me sane. I added a charming new arched window [directly] above the sink. There are several new arched elements introduced throughout the interior born from an overhang at the front of the house with a recurring-arch detail.
Hillcrest residence exterior
Stay tuned. Next week I will feature another room in the Hillcrest renovation.
Wishing you good fortune for any personal or professional “renovation” plans you have for 2025!
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Palette | Red and Green
What better day to embrace a green and red palette, than today, Christmas. This may seem like a color scheme best reserved for the holidays, but I’m actually a big fan. My own home riffs on this palette. And because both red and green have so many gorgeous iterations, you can do some really interesting things when using them in an interior. I created three designs below in honor of the combo and this magical holiday.
Living Room
Mint and cherry red in an aesthete’s modern living room.
Study
Avocado and burgundy in a textural, eclectic study.
Bedroom
A tomato red canopy bed is tempered by murkier greens and russet, as well as shades of blush.
Short and sweet, but chock full of inspo for your Christmas Day. May your holiday be one of love and laughter. Cheers!
PS: You can source the rooms above on our Luxe & Lucid Pinterest page. Unfortunately, the link will eventually expire.
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Scale Up / Scale Down
Symmetry, balance and proportion are key tenets of how I develop an interior; I was trained in classical architecture. Yet, when I get to the decorating portion of the design process, I throw Palladio’s rules out the window – especially scale. Playing with scale (blowing things up, sizing them down) is a way for me to change the vibe in a space, and therefore, how its experienced.
Go Big
There are times when you just need to go big or go home. An oversized mirror can completely change a room. And a chandelier or pendant that outsizes a dining table is pure drama. Scaling up disrupts the status quo – it wakes us up and brings a room alive.
Featured image: Shinola Hotel by Gachot Studios; Middle 4 clockwise: Bjorn Wallender, Moooi, Steven Gambrel, Huntley & Co.; Bottom: Thom Filicia
Stay Small
Sometimes making a statement means staying small. A diminutive artwork on a large wall will draw you to it. A low sofa beside tall windows will create elegant volume. A tiny light fixture over a table creates intimacy. Design isn’t always about knocking someone’s socks off. At times, it’s about creating a serene environment or eliciting an emotion.
Top: Raji RM; Middle 4 clockwise: Workstead, Billy Cotton, Huntley & Co., Rose Uniacke (?); Bottom: Laura Santos
Happy election week America. See you on the other side!
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Installing Annapolis (ed. 3)
Now that wallcovering is up, it’s time to layer in the FLOORCOVERINGS at our Annapolis project. Installing carpet and rugs in a home is a sensory blanket of sorts. They reduce ambient noise, soften impact underfoot and warm up cold floors. They can also unify furniture in a large room and make stairs safer. Beauty with benefits – that’s what interior design is all about!
floorcovering installation ::
Got rugs? We do and they are ready to roll!
Installing the first set of three stairs. All three received the same runner style for continuity and balance in the home.
(left) In her office I wanted pattern, but not color. This diamond pattern from Stark expands the space without looking busy. (right) I chose a classic seagrass rug in a round shape for his office. A round rug can work magic in a room. It can soften angular architecture and integrate a disparate furniture arrangement.
Speaking of round rugs, this one for the son’s bedroom is a Missoni pattern. It is spirited yet sophisticated – a style that will carry him into his teenage and young adult years.
(left) A grey and green stripe fills the expansive younger daughter’s room. (right) I chose a blue-grey ribbed style for the older daughter’s room. It marries beautifully with the wallcovering and has just enough slubs and flecking (let’s hope!) to stand up to a teenager.
(top) A view into the dining room and its new graphic but subtle area rug. (bottom) The original sample at left and the artwork for approval at right.
It took months to find the right rug for the guest bedroom. Finally, one day, I found the perfect one. It’s the correct size, style, texture and combination of colors. #needleinahaystack
Isn’t this sample lovely? It’s a custom khotan for the master bedroom. Unfortunately, it’s behind schedule – by a lot – and not on site. It was the first order we wrote for this project, so not receiving it in time was unexpected and very disappointing. We think it will be worth the wait, so we will definitely post photos on Instagram when it does arrive.
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Installing Annapolis (ed. 2)
Last week we shared a behind-the-scenes look at the lighting installation at our Bay Ridge project. This week we are focusing on the WALLCOVERING. Softening the envelope and warming up the interior was a big focus of this design. Once paper is up on the walls (and ceilings in many cases) an interior really starts to feel like a home.
wallcovering installation ::
Our PO with samples of all the papers attached for the paperhanger.
Papering a spacious room requires a ladder and teamwork. The photo at right reveals the texture of the paper.
A soothing beige-on-beige paint and paper combination in the guest bedroom.
(top to bottom) Lining up a paper’s pattern; An installation diagram we sketched for the contractor; The paper freshly hung in the younger daughter’s bedroom.
A subtle grey paper in the final stages of installation in the oldest daughter’s bedroom.
Proof that wallcovering can transform a space. This foyer has become a showstopper in this home.
Thank you Michael for all your great work! Next up is floorcoverings.
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Installing Annapolis (ed. 1)
Huntley & Co. spends months behind the scenes working on our projects. And it isn’t until the last 6 weeks or so that photos are really worth sharing – that’s when we get to the point of actually installing things in a home: lighting and wallcovering first, then floorcoverings, then furniture. We are in the installation phase now at our Bay Ridge project in Annapolis (yes!) and are seeing items that we spec’d or purchased 9+ months ago go up on the walls, ceiling, etc. During the final push, LIGHTING makes a particularly big impact. The placement, style and finish all affect the function and feel of the home. And like jewelry on a woman, it’s these fixtures that can truly ‘light up’ a house ; )
lighting installation ::
Some of the elevations we generated for the contractor and electrician.
The installation of surface mount fixtures in two daughters’ bedrooms – a pendant in the room at left and a pair of wall sconces in the room at right. And yes, sometimes one has to cut 5 (count em, 5!) holes to wire a single fixture.
Determining if/where to install a pinlight in a niche.
Chandeliers, sconces, pendants and lamps we are installing at Bay Ridge. The lighting package is a clean, modern/traditional mix that includes vintage, antiques, and pieces from some of our favorite manufacturers including Ironware, Vaughan, Circa and UEco.
Inspecting a fixture’s finish now that it’s on site.
Vintage sconces in the upstairs hallway. The rest of the lighting will be installed by the end of the week.
Thank you to Bayview Builders for all your great work! Next up is wallcovering.
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West End :: The Reveal
This reveal has been a long time coming. Not because it was only just installed, but because Luxe & Lucid was tied up in a parallel universe after we moved the Huntley & Co. website to another platform. The technical side of small business is the gift that keeps on giving. So we thank you for your patience, and without further ado, we reveal our West End project installation!
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Making it Move-In Ready
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Obviously before our clients can move in, we have to install carpet, light fixtures, wallcovering and window treatments. Then, with our backdrop complete, our team is ready to bring in the furniture and accessories.
(top L to R) Living room chandelier install; Master bedroom carpeting in progress; Wallpaper in the third floor den; Installation of master bedroom roman shades.
(bottom L to R) The crew unloading the truck; Opening artwork; Vintage Italian barcart.
(L to R) Setting the stage with flowers and accessories; Paper template for a tricky mirror install; Preparing a vintage music montage for the dining room.
Welcome Home!
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Alas, our vision for a classic interior full of cosmopolitan flair has come to life. This is, hands down, our favorite part of the process!
(top to bottom) A custom dining table paired with vintage chairs; Mixed materials in the entryway; A bespoke vanity in a teeny tiny powder room; Unexpected lighting in the kitchen; Dining room details; A chic Italian sofa with lyrical curves anchors the living room.
(top to bottom) Master bath wrapped in handmade tiles and featuring vintage lighting; An engaging mix of pattern and texture in the third floor den; Bespoke linens in the master bedroom – how luxe!
And That’s a Wrap
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A big thank you to our wonderful West End collaborators. We hate to say goodbye, but we’re off to design more beautiful spaces …
Tricia gives the resident pup, Barney, a tour of his new home.
To see the gorgeous professional photos of the West End project, visit the Huntley & Co. portfolio. Or take it one step further and help us win a Luxe RED award by voting for this project! Voting closes January 25.
xo huntleycodesign
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West End Process :: Furnishings
Bespoke, turn-key interiors are a signature of Huntley & Co. First, the architectural envelope and materials are perfected. Next, we turn our process to furnishings and softgoods that complement the space and the client and are unique to the project. Lots of love and labor goes into the design, drawing and specification of these goods.
| FURNISHINGS |
// Living Room channel-back chairs
We custom designed a pair of channel back lounge chairs to maximize flow, circulation and style. Visits to the workroom gave us the opportunity to make adjustments to the design, layout fabric and to monitor progress.
L to R: Leg finish selections; our chair frame gets mocked up in muslin; laying out the large scale fabric.
// Living Room armoire
We source a lot of antique and vintage furnishings for our projects. Sometimes, however, these pieces need modifications to “fit”. This armoire was the perfect scale for the open concept living area and provided much needed storage, but modification to the finish and interior were necessary. New hardware and shirred curtains turned this beauty into functional storage.
L to R: Removing the old finish; specifying all the new details; installation in progress.
// Master Bedroom canopy bed
Each project has its share of logistical challenges – and we love a good challenge because it inspires us to get extra creative. Our process never leaves things to guesswork. When we discovered that the bed, as originally designed, could not be brought up the stairs or through the windows, we had to go back to the drawing board (literally) to custom design a version that would fit.
L to R: Verifying stairwell and doorway dimensions; studio drawing of the custom pieces and parts; Ironware‘s workshop with assembly pre-shipment.
| SOFTGOODS |
// Master Bedroom roman shades & softgoods
Tailored, functional, bespoke. We designed the window treatments and pillows to complement the quietly sophisticated scheme in the master bedroom. Troubleshooting tricky corners and sourcing one-of-a-kind details makes all the difference.
Top: Detailed site measures and schematic review; finished product! Bottom: A pillow workorder; a treasure chest of trim; a well-styled bed.
Stay tuned — Next week we’ll bring this project full circle and share our install with you! And in case you missed the other West End posts, check them out here and here.
xo, Huntley & Co.
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THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
