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Classic Construction, Construction, Inc. Classic www.classicconstructionva.com www.classicconstructionva.com 804-794-5690 804-794-5690 ClassicConstruction.fp.0126.indd 1
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design
D in in g in m c h a ir s u u p m et s t a rd a n h o ls te re al m e s h d a b la c d g ive s id k G il li Fr a n k a n e b o a rd a m 's d Ell a n e d in in g t e n w at a titu d b le e
Going Gray A neutral palette enables improvisation By Amanda Scudder | Photos by Mindie Ballard
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can get a far greater sense of ‘color’ through a well-planned and executed black-and-white image than I have ever achieved with color photography,” legendary photographer Ansel Adams once observed. It’s a fundamental concept that every art student learns: To truly understand color, you must first master grayscale, the range of shades from pure white to pure black, with 254 shades of gray in between. The versatility of this subtle palette comes to life in Frank and Ellen Gilliam’s Monument Avenue home. Desiring a smaller footprint after their children left the nest, the Gilliams waded through a real estate market flooded with Capes and colonials in search of something different. They found it in a one-story, 1,800-square-foot midcentury home that offered the promise of a blank slate. “While this house is a midcentury build, it did not have a ton of the character you might think of with midcentury modern,” Frank, an art director and graphic designer, explains. “We were not trying to make it into something it
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was not. We simply wanted to upgrade the interior layout and livability, while giving it a style that meets our aesthetic.” Working with designer Nicole Rutledge, they opened up the interior to create an inviting gathering space. A steel beam used for structural support creates a striking design element. Painted a deep black shade, the beam, front door and fireplace wall boldly punctuate the bright white walls and ceilings. The earthy gray of the Roman clay on the fireplace surround and kitchen backsplash is echoed in upholstery, rugs and shadows cast by the sun throughout the day. White oak floors and streamlined cabinetry bring honeyed hues to the neutral foundation. “Our goal with the interior colors and
warm wood textures was to create a canvas, or base, for visual touches that bring personality,” Frank says. Against this clean canvas, Ellen’s love for bold color and Frank’s penchant for graphic art have found a happy home. Terracotta, mustard and green accents in art and accessories provide pops of color. “I think the home’s color palette creates a vibe of simple ease,” Frank adds. “Nothing too crazy going on, but not plain vanilla, either.” Amorphous mirrors, a globe chandelier and Eames Hang-It-All-inspired hooks pay homage to iconic shapes from the Atomic Age. Contemporary takes on classic midcentury furniture nod to decor from the era without replicating it.
“Our goal with the interior colors and warm wood textures was to create a canvas for visual touches that bring personality.” —FRANK GILLIAM, HOMEOWNER
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Ultimately, the space offers room for improvisation that is rare in interior design. With a grayscale backdrop, colorful accents can be easily swapped out to refresh the look with minimal effort. “I never feel that anything is finished,” Frank admits. “What you create one day, you might revisit the next day and make it over in a completely different way. I think this house has that flexibility built in. We can play with it and have fun.”
BEDROOM The Gilliams’ low-slung upholstered headboard and nightstands are paired with a FLOR tile rug and an Eames molded plastic, dowel-leg armchair by Herman Miller.
KITCHEN The flat-front cabinets and a range hood in white pine, metal-framed barstools, and black industrial-style pendant lights contrast with the soft gray of the Roman clay backsplash.
DEN A leather-clad West Elm sleeper sofa accommodates overnight guests. Colorful striped pillows and artwork add pops of fun color to the space.
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insights
Mood Bending The transformative power of color By Jennifer Robinson | Illustration by Katie Pelikan
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or centuries, scientists and philosophers have studied how color influences human emotion, which is reflected by its significance in interior design. The emotional pull of different shades creates the backdrop for experiences and memories, making color choices vital for shaping the mood a space evokes. Everyone experiences colors differently, but it’s hard to deny the common emotional and psychological associations across the spectrum. Red, for example, is stimulating and energetic, while green is soothing and restful. We asked three Richmond color experts to share their insights on the psychology of color and how it can influence a room’s decor and atmosphere.
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SUSAN BUCK Conservator and paint analyst “The choice of color and its interaction with light can have a powerful impact on our perception of a space. Toward the end of his life, Thomas Jefferson chose brilliant chrome yellow for the walls of his dining room. It was a stylish, costly color at the time, with the added advantage of reflecting candlelight in the evening and making the chilly room feel more inviting in winter. [Architect] Walter Gropius painted the ceilings of his kitchen and pantry a subtle pink with a hint of yellow. This soft shade reflects warm light from the windows, making the narrow spaces feel more expansive.”
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details
Into the Woods A personal space evoking a natural peace of mind By Susan Morgan
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lements of nature lend a peaceful air to the music and workout room decorator Pattie Kelly created in the former attic of her Chesterfield home. On entering the space, custom-sized mural wallpaper by Limitless Walls of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park in California — complemented by earthy green walls and rich wood finishes — transports you to the stillness of the forest. A bespoke railing inspired by state park structures guides your path, and a stained-glass riff on Frank Lloyd Wright’s Tree of Life pattern enhances the organic vibe.
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Gordon Gregory
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