This narrow entryway sets the tone. High-gloss turquoise paint and a vintage 1960s light top traditional wainscoting. A marble checkerboard floor underlines the jewel box first impression.
Nelson also replaced the original square doorway with this arched one to echo the shape of the front door and its transom.
Wall paint: Peacock Blue 2049-40, Benjamin Moore
by Kelly Nelson Designs Nelson also replaced the original square doorway with this arched one to echo the shape of the front door and its transom.
Wall paint: Peacock Blue 2049-40, Benjamin Moore
This custom-painted cabinet was inspired by the colors in a Lucette White painting from the couples' art collection. "We made a very traditional French chest more playful by painting it bright colors," Nelson says.
Cabinet: Grange
by Kelly Nelson Designs
Cabinet: Grange
Before, the dining room was very traditional, with federalist furniture, a brass light fixture and these china cabinets, which had glass doors. Nelson had the doors removed and painted the backs a bold orange for a more contemporary look, then added tradition back into the mix with her brown toile transferware pieces.
"I like to use a lot of color, but in a house this size it's easy to go overboard," Nelson says. So she painted most of the walls white and let the color come in via furniture, art, accessories and accents, like these shelves.
The parrots are vintage 1950s majolica pottery, and the pansy print is from Natural Curiosities.
by Kelly Nelson Designs "I like to use a lot of color, but in a house this size it's easy to go overboard," Nelson says. So she painted most of the walls white and let the color come in via furniture, art, accessories and accents, like these shelves.
The parrots are vintage 1950s majolica pottery, and the pansy print is from Natural Curiosities.
Nelson ripped out the existing brass light fixture and had Warren Muller, a favorite Philadelphia artist, create a unique chandelier from her grandmother's depression-era glass collection. "This fixture laid the groundwork for the home's fusion of traditional and contemporary elements," she says.
Wall paint: Patriotic White 2135-70, Benjamin Moore
by Kelly Nelson Designs Wall paint: Patriotic White 2135-70, Benjamin Moore
Toile and striped fabrics on the parson's chairs are a nod to traditional townhouse style; the colors of the chandelier inspired the pink and green color palette.
by Kelly Nelson Designs
This brightly colored abstract painting in the dining room is by Ivan Stojakovic. Postrenovation, it's on the only remaining dividing wall in the downstairs interior.
by Kelly Nelson Designs
Typical of a townhouse, the kitchen is long and narrow. Nelson opened it up to the living room and added a long kitchen island. "I can't remember when we all sat down at the table; we love to gather at the island," she says.
Cabinets: Downsview; backsplash tile: handmade glass, Mixed-Up Mosaics; pendant lights: Le Klint
by Kelly Nelson Designs Cabinets: Downsview; backsplash tile: handmade glass, Mixed-Up Mosaics; pendant lights: Le Klint
A painting the couple picked up on a trip to Portofino, Italy, inspired the orange and blue living room palette. The backs of the bookshelves are painted the same shade of orange as the dining room shelves. The same limestone used on the kitchen counters surrounds the fireplace. An Oriental rug pays homage to traditional townhouse style.
by Kelly Nelson Designs
New French doors and large windows let in the light. "Opening up the living room to the back courtyard makes the house feel so much bigger," Nelson says.
Coffee table: Eglomise, Beeline Home; lamps: Splatter, Beeline Home; vases: Arteriors
by Kelly Nelson Designs Coffee table: Eglomise, Beeline Home; lamps: Splatter, Beeline Home; vases: Arteriors
Tip: "When mixing throw pillows, I generally go with a solid, a large-scale pattern and a small-scale pattern," Nelson says. "To make them more modern, I stay away from piping them, and I like to make them big; if you're going to the expense of having them made, think bigger than 14 inches!"
Although living in a construction zone (think: washing dishes in the bathtub) was a challenge, it was well worth it. The open layout and contemporary touches fit the family's lifestyle to a T.
Painting: Rebecca Rutstein; floral pillow fabric: Schumacher; orange pillow fabric: Osborne & Little
by Kelly Nelson Designs Although living in a construction zone (think: washing dishes in the bathtub) was a challenge, it was well worth it. The open layout and contemporary touches fit the family's lifestyle to a T.
Painting: Rebecca Rutstein; floral pillow fabric: Schumacher; orange pillow fabric: Osborne & Little
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This home looks really personal and homey...nice job.