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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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Concept Before Color
The most common question I have been asked as an interior designer over the years is, without a doubt, “What are your favorite paint colors?” I suspect it ranks among the most popular design topics of all time. Funny thing is, I don’t have favorite paint colors (shock, awe!). I do not have a stable of SW’s BM’s, or F&B’s that I play on repeat. I liken that to a makeup artist applying the same look to a young, cherub-faced, blonde as she would a middle-aged, raven-haired woman with high cheekbones. Each home has its own architecture, light, and vibe that necessitates its own palette and specific application. How do you figure out that palette and specific application?! Start with a concept.
Example 1 | Delray Beach, FL
CONCEPT
COLORS
RESULT
WHO/WHERE: A beachfront, second home in Florida for empty-nesters.
VIBE: Relaxed, soft-modern
PALETTE: A low-contrast range of beiges and browns with accents of silvery, blue-grey
Example 2 | Washington, DC
CONCEPT
COLORS
RESULT
WHO/WHERE: A city townhouse for a young couple and soon-to-be parents
VIBE: Old-school formal meets youthful cool
PALETTE: From ecru, cafe au lait, and green-grey to caramel, peacock blue, and near-blacks
What you’ll notice is that the Delray Beach and West End palettes are not in opposite hemispheres; there is overlap. It’s the contrast, variety of hues and color temps, as well as the adjacent materials and finishes that set them apart. Both interiors may have shades of creamy-white, but we selected different versions because the light and vibe in DC varies considerably from the light and vibe in Florida. And, of course, the floors were a factor as pairing paint with white oak is worlds away from pairing it with an ebony-stain.
Visit the Delray Beach and West End portfolios on the Huntley & Co. website for a more comprehensive view of each project (note, not all rooms are photographed). Go to Tiktok and view my companion video to this post for additional examples of the concept-color-interior throughline. I am on a quiet mission to change hearts and minds! #conceptbeforecolor
{ PS: Photography and online screens distort the actual colors of the samples shown above. }
All work and projects above are by Huntley & Co. Interior Design
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Tile Installation Aptitude (part1)
Choosing tile for a project is as fun as it sounds, and yet, it’s a finessed installation that can really knock my socks off sometimes. What may seem simple at first glance is actually the integration of very specific products, planning, and talented pros. Aptitude may be just as important as aesthetics when it comes to tile.
Fitting Tile in the Space
Tiling a wet space, like a full bath, can be surprisingly complex. There are pieces for inside corners, outside corners, cove bases, beaks, caps, stops, etc. The bathroom below required 10 separate tile orders! Can you count how many components of the cream tile are in these 3 photos?
above: The walls in my guest bath are a multitude of creamy, crackle-glazed tiles.
Bringing Together Varying Styles
Selecting all the bath tile from one collection wouldn’t be any fun, so you can’t forget to think about how different shapes and thicknesses (not to mention colors and finishes) will fit together in a space. Your installer will thank you.
above: Chocolate-hue’d Zellige tiles wrap the walls of the shower while a black-and-white floral mosaic covers the main bath and shower floors. A grey marble threshold bridges the gap.
Wait … How do I do all of that without mistakes?
The what/where/how of a tile installation is critical, so we generate elevations and supply them to the team. This allows us to determine tile quantity, prep the installer, and firm up contractor pricing.
Color-coding, highlights, bubbles, strikethroughs … If it isn’t obvious, work this detailed often requires a few revisions!
Screenshot of the Week
“What is eclectic?” was this week’s question on Asked and Answered. It’s funny because I use that term to describe my work, yet sometimes find it hard to define. Below is a Houston foyer (note the beautiful floor tile) that I think embodies the look.
⇓ Click the photo below to see how I break down its eclecticism ⇓
Architecture: Reagan & Andre | Construction: Erin Stetzer Homes | Interior design: Studio McGee | Photography: Lucy Call
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Next week I’ll post a Tile Installation- Part 2 and will share the answer to the quantity question at top. If you are the first to share the correct answer in comments (before I post next week), you’ll receive a complimentary give-away from me!
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TRICIA HUNTLEY | HUNTLEY & CO.
“The glamorous space where tradition and modernity collide.”
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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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THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
