In a bright kitchen with shaker cabinets and minimal gold hardware, an island stands below two pendant lights with leather bar stools beneath it.

When the homeowners first purchased the house, it was compartmentalized, outdated, and nonfunctional for their growing family. Casey designed the owner's previous kitchen and family room and was brought in to lead up the creative direction for the project. She teamed up with architect Paul Crowther and brother sister team Ainslie Davis on the addition and remodel of the 1925 Colonial.

Multi-pane windows with contrasting black spacers and white trim cast light on a table and chairs in a dining nook with a built-in bench and cushions.

creating a cohesive palette that's both warm, neutral and full of texture

I start with my base palette - wood finish, metal finish, stone, tile and grow from there. I layer in textures and also look at how each rug looks in the room but as a family. I don’t want them all to match or be similar. When presenting, I have a page for all of the rugs, just so I can see how they all look together. That builds my palette, then fabrics and upholstery are layered in on top. Playing with scale is important when working with a neutral palette. Mixing types of textures so nothing feels too much the same too.

A dining area with a table, antique-style chairs, an oriental rug with neutral colors and patterning, and a framed car-themed artwork on the wall.

The corner of a kitchen with shaker cabinets, gold hardware, stainless steel appliances, and a striped kitchen towel next to a bowl of salad greens.

Keywords

Cozy

family

layered

A detailed view of the upper left corner of a fireplace with two unique vases resting on its mantel, decorated with bulwark dentil crown molding.

A velvet armchair sits next to a wood and brass table with a round glass top, where a vase full of pampas grass rests with some books and a porcelain egg.

A large sitting area with a fireplace and taper candles, leather sectional sofa with cushions and pillows, a velvet lounge chair, and a textured rug.

A detailed shot of the right side of a bed with a framed painting of a fox above a wood and brass nightstand with a stack of books, lamp, and fresh flowers.

There was no official master prior to the renovations

The existing four bedrooms and one separate bathroom became two bedrooms perfectly suited for the client’s two daughters and a guest room, while the third became the true primary complete with walk-in closet and master bath. There are future dreams for a second story addition that would transform the current primary into a guest suite and build out a primary bedroom and bath complete with walk in shower and free-standing tub.

It’s all in the details

A light, neutral palette was incorporated to draw attention to the existing colonial details of the home. Like the coved ceilings and leaded glass windows that the homeowners fell in love with when they purchased the home. While retro features are charming, they also need to function. The family wanted to stay true to the Colonial style but with updates for today’s modern family. Modern furnishings and art were used throughout to balance the traditional details.

A rack of books sits on the floor under a window in a nursery with a crib, plush animal, an ottoman of woven jute, and a framed unicorn artwork on the wall.

Floor plan drawings of the upper and main floors of a house showing the breakfast nook, bedrooms, living room, office, dining room, and front entry.

A primary bathroom with a double vanity with a wooden base, gold faucet, gold hardware, and 2 mirrors with gold frames on the wall above each sink.

How do you blend old and new?

It’s all about balance, common themes, contrasts and practicality. Family and complementing the symmetry of traditional details were common themes throughout the project. Casey wanted to balance and blend the seriousness of colonial homes with relaxed Northwest vibes. She did this by layering in neutral textures, incorporating the client’s modern art collection and remembering that kids live in this home too, so nothing is too precious.

A flashing gif of the before and after of an outdated powder room and its updates with crisp wallpaper, an oval mirror, and a sink with a brass base.

A small office nook off the kitchen with a floating wood desk with a drawer, books, a potted plant, a framed architectural drawing, and a wooden stool.

A built-in wine bar with a wine fridge, marble counters, potted silver dollar eucalyptus, floating shelves of glass and brass, and a gold platter.

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Credits

Big thanks to the brother and sister duo, Ainslie-Davis Construction, who brought this project from paper to real life. Neill and Allison had the care and patience it takes to save a number of key elements. Thank you to our client, Sally and Anders, for your trust to add wallpaper after peeling off layer upon layer throughout the entire home.

Interior Design and styling by Casework’s Casey Keasler

Architect: Paul Crowther Design

Photography: Haris Kenjar