Text by Holly Seng
With plans for a growing family in mind, homeowners Bailey and William Ward knew to accommodate a second child they’d either need to add on to their current cottage, break ground on a new build, or make a move to a larger home. At the height of the pandemic, both building and house-hunting presented their own unique challenges. However, a little over a year into the process, the couple discovered a charming midcentury ranch-style abode nestled on a wooded lot that offered sizable front and back yards. After the Wards purchased the home, Bailey spent the next few months making it their own, finishing on Christmas Eve—just three days before welcoming their newest bundle of joy.
“My biggest inspiration or direction was taking [the design] back to something that was true to the character of a house built in this time period,” says Bailey, founder of Bailey Ward Interiors. “And then as far as how I wanted it to live and feel—I love beautiful and traditional things, but we’re very casual people, and I just wanted it to feel very welcoming and very livable.”
The exterior of the home exudes instant curb appeal thanks to a new nine-lite door painted Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue that stands out against the painted brick. A pair of copper Bevolo lanterns flanks the entry while potted plants add a natural welcoming touch.
Guests are ushered into a small, stylish entryway that makes the most of every inch of space. A whimsical yet neutral wallpaper from Waterhouse Wallhangings imparts playful personality as a bamboo stand serves as an ideal catchall space for heading out the door. Art plays a major role in the home’s design, and the oil landscapes display bright and bold colors, contributing to the fun twist on traditional that serves as a hallmark for the Wards’ aesthetic. A brass pendant light and antique rug finish off the space.
Drawing from her all-time favorite print—Lee Jofa’s Althea—featured as throw pillows, Bailey outfitted the living room in creamy white, cheerful yellow, and soothing blue hues. To keep the room from feeling too stuffy, she balanced out the dark wood tones of the coffee table and side chair with white side tables topped with rattan lamps. “I just think that adding those more contemporary pieces relaxes a space,” she notes. The room’s built-ins house Bailey’s collection of coffee-table books that she regularly revisits, coffee cup in hand.
A fanciful blue-and-green floral wallpaper graces the dining room’s walls. The gathering spot plays host to both everyday family meals as well as wine tastings with friends. Enhancing the space’s floral motif, a sophisticated chandelier sourced from Chairish adds feminine flair. “I wanted [the room] to feel very whimsical and a little bit eclectic, which is why I mixed the lampshades with the chandelier,” says Bailey.
In the kitchen, cabinetry washed in a warm and creamy neutral hue lends an inviting, cottagey feel. Bailey worked with the cabinetmaker on their design—down to the detail of the mullion widths of the glass-front upper cabinets. For the countertops, she selected a Carrara marble and recommends the natural stone to all her clients. “There’s just no replacement for true marble,” Bailey says. “We’re living with all of the etching and scratching and just watching them [develop] patina.”
As the main hangout spot, the family room, which connects to the kitchen, combines comfort with timeless elegance. Upholstered furnishings covered in performance fabrics ensure the pieces withstand daily wear and tear. An expansive coffee table anchors the space and doubles as a surface for playing games. Prior to the renovation, an oversize brick fireplace painted blue dominated the room. “It was one of the first things I knew we had to change when we moved in,” says Bailey, who designed the new fireplace to have very clean lines, simple molding, and black granite for the surround and hearth.
The primary bedroom takes a more formal approach as rich wood tones extend warmth to the tranquility of a blue-and-white palette. An upholstered headboard showcasing a print that serves as a play on stripes introduces a subtle contemporary element.
Rounding out traditional pieces with more modern accents and pattern sprinkled in for added panache, Bailey cultivated a cozy and approachable aesthetic through her design. “I hope anyone who enters our home feels the way I designed it to be a very welcoming, inviting space where everyone is comfortable,” says Bailey. “It’s a really sweet house in this season of life.”
