Home of the San Francisco Chronicle

Subscribe to the weekend Chronicle

powered by
Ideabooks
Photos
Products
Ideabooks
Discussions
Professionals
Users
One of the home's most unforgettable spaces is the great room, decked out in a flirty palette of salmon pink and apple green. The eclectic furniture ranges from showroom pieces to antique market finds.

"I favor mixing the old with the new to create spaces that are both modern and timeless," Gwen says. "I often strive to integrate both high-end and cost-effective furnishings to achieve a balance between comfort, function, affordability and style."

Except for the sofa, each piece of furniture received custom upholstery. The artwork was a DIY project Gwen created using paintable wallpaper and blank canvases.
by alisha gwen interior design
Gwen's furniture plan offers a helpful lesson or two. For starters, she chose accent chairs with a lower back to keep from obstructing the view of the room’s focal point. She saved the higher-back chairs for the side of the room. The opposing sofa perfectly balances the scale of the oversize chairs.
by alisha gwen interior design
by alisha gwen interior design  
The kitchen was without a doubt designed for merrymaking. Dual islands provide an inviting gathering place, whether for a few dinner guests or a packed house for the holidays.

With the islands providing the bulk of needed storage, Gwen took advantage of the opportunity to use open shelving. Subway tiles provide a clean and classic backdrop for a showcase of dishware, glasses and other objects of interest.
by alisha gwen interior design
In the adjoining sunroom, a vaulted ceiling and an abundance of windows create the feeling of an outdoor dining experience. Sunny yellow paint is the quintessential solution for ushering sunshine into the kitchen, even on a cloudy day.

Sprightly drapery panels soften the hard lines of the windows.
by alisha gwen interior design
When designing a space for a client with small children, Gwen recommends creating a playroom in lieu of a study. This one is among the bedrooms, so parents can keep an eye on children instead of segregating them in the basement.

The walls are scribbleworthy, thanks to chalkboard paint. The lime-green ceiling and Bubble Chair knockoff add whimsy to the kid-friendly environment.
by alisha gwen interior design
This master bedroom is the textbook definition of Gwen's signature style. Playful and sophisticated, it combines color, clean lines, large-scale patterns and classic furniture styles.

The bold Thibaut wallpaper distinguishes this home and catapults it into show house status. "I chose the paper to surprise viewers and encourage them to take risks," Gwen says. "Actually, I selected bathroom tile first, and as fate would have it the blues matched perfectly. Most who are uncomfortable with such a bodacious wallpaper print warm to the idea when they view both spaces as a suite."
by alisha gwen interior design  
Green is a common thread throughout the house and makes a refreshing appearance in the master bedroom in the form of matching nightstands.
by alisha gwen interior design  
The oversize 15-foot shower is the focal point in this master bath and boasts an intricate design of tiles in a mix of colors and sizes. The pattern mimics a stripe motif traditionally seen in wallpaper or paint treatments.
by alisha gwen interior design
In the same bath, homeowners can create their own spa experience in this modern freestanding tub. "The original floor plan called for a tub built on a deck. Current trends are leaning more towards this freestanding option," Gwen says.
by alisha gwen interior design

Comments

shawnaleeah Showrooms.....blaaaaaah.
7 months ago · ·
olldroo Love, love, love colour, I can't decorate any other way I love each room to embrace the light and aspect. Sure this is "show" and I would quickly bore with many things but there are still some great ideas, especially how far it is possible to take things.
7 months ago · ·
dianestyle simply delightful! the design is functional but the style of furniture is easily livable and the colors chosen improve anyone's day. Unless you are a total druge.
7 months ago · ·
keldog I love the furniture placement!
7 months ago · ·
f_allen Love Love Love the colors and the furniture placement is perfect.
7 months ago · ·
Brenda Reeves This is me. I'm a color and sunshine addict. I see this in a Southern California home. Erika, you can decorate my home anytime.
7 months ago · ·
xenasmom I love the color throughout, though I'll never be a fan of big wallpaper. The look is crisp and elegant, but definitively feminine. It's as though the place belongs to a single mom. Not saying men can't do pink, but there doesn't appear to be any space in the house that says "Dad lives with us." Nor, other than the kitchen, is there any space where the whole family can gather. The design is exceptionally pretty, but it's a far cry from kid or family friendly. It's great that the kids have a playroom, but the rest of the house says "do not touch".
7 months ago · ·
angi One of the least Kid friendly houses I,ve seen. Chalk walls and white carpet, furniture? Recipe for disaster. Anyone who decorates like this will certainly not lovingly embrace their chalk dust covered child for a snuggle on the pristine white sofa. I am so confused by this design. Classic case of an idea person having neither foot in reality. Or maybe only white chalk is allowed? But then the rug in that room has black in it... ??? Why.
7 months ago · ·
claudineengle bEAUTIFUL. It looks like there is no room to enter the living-room, the chairs are close together and form a square that you have to find a way to get in or out of. Always pretty for the picture but is it functional?
7 months ago · ·
Second Nature Design Great eye/eyes. Decorating with color is cheerful, economical, and unifying. I do this for my clients both in my landscape and interior projects, as well as my own cottage. Such fun and although selection can feel daunting, once you refine the palette you have the perfect reference point.
7 months ago ·
austennut I love the use of colors in this house. It's very welcoming and inviting. And though not every aspect of this house is ideal for a family, that's true of lots of ideabooks with these model homes. Those other houses usually don't get dinged for not being family-friendly, so I don't know why so many people are harping on that quality with this one.
7 months ago · ·
ladymojo I think my favourite designer, Maria Killam would really like this colour palette!
7 months ago · ·
eskydell Clearly this designer doesn't have kids! Mine aren't even that messy and they would destroy this beautiful house in about 2 days. A white couch? Yellow and white dining room chairs? Even the white carpet in the master bedroom is probably doomed. Love the house but I would never describe it as "family friendly."
7 months ago · ·
Jessa Rodenburgh I have an all white bedroom for us and for our 20 month old son and it is fine so far.. In fact my girlfriend has 4 kids and a stunning all white home, however her couches are all slip covered I'd be terrified to have that couch. I find this home a little too girlie and the chalkboard paint in the playroom is a bit too much. Plus in first glance it looked like an office to me and if I hadn't read the description I would not have known it was a playroom.
7 months ago · ·
CAROLE MEYER Very pretty....great colors.
7 months ago · ·
kandamparambil very good I like
7 months ago ·
kandamparambil I am a interior designer search for that
7 months ago ·
kelirene I love her fresh style!!
7 months ago · ·
debbietorres so beautiful but almost impossible to have
7 months ago ·
Jenny Pink and green - back to the 80's
7 months ago ·
pasinclair42 Beautiful! However, for me, I like to see extra chairs at an angle otherwise it becomes too boxy for me. But, you did such a beautiful job. I absolutely love the tall chairs across from the sofa. Modern but comfortable. Obviously great taste abounds in this home
7 months ago ·
Kevin Retired Decorator I think often interior designers decorate a house in their own personal taste. This is a perfect example. The house is a feminine home thru out. Dainty furniture and lots of pale pink. This would be great if the whole family just happened to like pretty & Pink! I would have kept those designs to a master bedroom shared by husband & wife or the girls room. The bathroom looks like a different home all together, no flow.
7 months ago · ·
kikidelisle I love love love the living room color pallette!! Beautiful rooms!!
7 months ago · ·
patscats2 Wow, very, very pretty.
7 months ago · ·
Amanda Im surprised no one mentioned the bathroom. 15 ft? Im in awe and yet I sure wouldnt want that in my house.
7 months ago · ·
thegreenbee The this place is right up my alley- it oozes cheer! The recurring green, the mixing rather than matching... I don't think I saw a single thing I wouldn't love in my own house.
7 months ago · ·
patscats2 Oh, that's called a party shower. LOL Can you imagine keeping that dark blue clean? When I see that dark blue I think about the Joan Crawford movie when Joan went nuts and had the child clean the cobalt blue tiles with cleanser. Like how to you ever get that rinsed?
7 months ago ·
Suzi O'Brien What a fresh happy home!! I love the white ceramic side table seen in the living room and the master bedroom. Where did you get that?
7 months ago ·
yvesun Erika, the house is bright & cheerful! It looks like a breathe of Spring just happened by! GREAT JOB!
Although, there are a few comments about it not being family friendly I think these people have forgotten, not all families are made up of little people. Some have t'weens or just about to leave the nest age. They would fit into this house setting.
7 months ago · ·
Kathryn Awe Love the colors and airiness. Not a beige or taupe wall anyplace.
7 months ago · ·
neitz I'd love to know if the kitchen counters are marble or quartz.
7 months ago ·
Lucia Feltner I like the play of colors used in the living room. However, I agree with Claudineegle. The designer did not consider the walking pattern in the room. This really shows in the photo shot looking down into the room.The furniture is too close together. How do you walk in and sit down with out moving a chair out of the way. Great looking for a photo shoot, but not a great floor plan layout of furniture in real life.
7 months ago · ·
treeseachanger Love the fresh greens and vibrant colour palette. But family friendly isn't a good description- e.g. a white sofa?? In the children's playroom the chalkboard walls invite young children to experiment on other walls without constraint, and what a horrible job it is cleaning up chalk dust!!
7 months ago ·
genesehatcher1980 color puts a smile on my face love it
7 months ago · ·
frenchdecor If it would be for personal use home, it's fine, whatever you like no judgement, but show room??? Seating area in living room is impossible to use as is. How anyone can squeeze through 1' space between chairs? Well you can squeeze, or jump over, or disarray chairs to get in, what the point to do so? TV under the window? Shower 15'? For me those are not very good design signs. Is someone really invite few guest for dinner to eat at kitchen island? If I would host a big party my kitchen wouldn't be a good sight for guests ether.
7 months ago · ·
alisha gwen interior design Hi everyone-

Thank you for the kind words and the input!

In re to the layout: The furniture was actually moved closer together for photo purposes only! Of course the furniture it not normally that close together but one must perform tricks to get the necessary shot for photography purposes!

In re to the white sofa: It is made out of indoor/outdoor fabric and is therefore scrubbable! All of the fabrics, for that matter, are family friendly... looks can be deceiving! Most major fabric vendors offer special coating to fabrics that will repel liquid and stains. Do not be afraid of white or light fabrics, a professional will know what fabrics will work for you!

In re to the shower... not a single person didn't swoon over the shower! Although I am bias, it was something to see! The glass tile is also easily cleaned, more so than porous natural stone that collects build up over time. I assure you, the glass can be wiped down faster than scrubbing a natural stone! Who wouldn't want his and her sides of the shower?!
7 months ago · ·
Jose Jombwe Not children friendly, otherwise it is femininely beautiful.
7 months ago ·
Georgia Blum Please please tell me where I can find that "Bubble Chair knock off" (in Canada?). I am currently looking for a hanging chair for my 8 yr old girl's bedroom. Thanks! As for the rest of the house, mostly I'm envious of the painted ceiling in the playroom...everybody keeps telling me not to paint my ceilings.
7 months ago ·
judyg ALISHA GWEN, lovely and different. Tell me about the chairs in the sunroom, please. Looks great, but I thought the end chairs (host/hostess) had to be taller than the others. No rule?
7 months ago ·
tracywilkins3 Sounded like the designer is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. I love the color palette throughout the entire home. Tasteful and functional.
7 months ago ·
honolulululu I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do with a 15 foot shower?? I have these blue tiles for a kitchen floor and love it.....but not sure how it would stay soap free in a shower. Although I am a huge fan of apple green....everything is a bit pale...and not at all kid friendly. I do love the sun room with the yellow seat cushions. That inspires me to change the cushions on my chairs!
7 months ago ·
Yadmaa Narantuya This is beautiful. The combination of apple green and white is my favorite colours.
6 months ago ·
zhenkamama I love the colors (except for the pink, but that's me.) Could you please share paint colors for the great room, kitchen, and ceiling of the playroom?
6 months ago ·
zhenkamama I love the colors (except for the pink, but that's me.) Could you please share paint colors for the great room, kitchen, and ceiling of the playroom?
6 months ago ·
cami19 I love the rooms, but no room with white furniture is family friendly.
6 months ago ·
lucy2887 So pretty this design is. This what i picture my little dream cottage to be like. Looks so welcoming and friendly. Also so fresh and light.
3 months ago ·
Sign Up to comment
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
The content on this page is provided by Houzz and is subject to the Houzz terms of use, copyright and privacy policy.
Copyright claims: contact the Houzz designated agent.