Text by Holly Seng
Only the second inhabitants to call the house their own, this Homewood, Alabama, family of five was drawn to the home’s expansive layout and the architectural details—from arched and coffered ceilings to cased openings with wooden beams—that keep it from feeling like a recent build. When it came time to furnish their new abode, they turned to interior designer Meg Wallace, who had previously worked with the family.
Describing the homeowner’s style as transitional, Meg notes she was able to work in a range of styles while maintaining a cohesive feel in the design. “They kind of like a mix,” she says. “They have a lot of very traditional pieces, some mid-century items, antiques, and then they like contemporary art.”
Warm wood tones and vibrant antique rugs set the tone for the home, beginning the moment you step inside. An arched wooden door stained in a honeyed hue draws the eye to the small hallway, beckoning guests further inside. An ivory café curtain softens the space, while the antique rug echoes the living room’s red-and-blue scheme.
Previously used as a dining room, Meg converted the space to serve as a more intimate gathering spot. A mid-century–style sectional in a brilliant cobalt blue highlights the accent colors in the antique Heriz rug. “Those were two pieces they had, and they dictated the color for the front of the house as well as the drapery and art we did in there,” says Meg. Draperies fashioned out of Thibaut’s Cochin fabric in blue and red frame the set of windows that floods the space with natural light. Plaid pillows contribute to the room’s traditional leaning, further enhanced by an antique chest and a pair of leather swivel chairs. However, a glass coffee table and animal print fabrics lend a subtle modern flair to round out the space.
The bold palette cools down in the kitchen, immersed in crisp whites and luxurious Carrara marble countertops and backsplash. An antique runner boasting rich red hues serves as the singular spirited showstopper as it creates common ground between the two locales. To warm up the space, Meg introduced a plethora of wooden accents—from cutting boards and picture frames to the antique chair pulled up to the built-in desk.
Handed down from the homeowner’s grandmother, an heirloom dining table and china cabinet anchor the eating area. “I love the mix of the really traditional chairs with the more abstract rug,” says Meg. “It just flows well into the more contemporary space in the back and keeps the design interesting.”
Through the cased opening awaits the great room, which fully embraces a neutral scheme. The pair of white sofas are kid-friendly, thanks to the durability of the Crypton fabric. Covered in a charcoal velvet, the swivel chairs elevate the space while complementing the artwork displayed on the gallery wall. Meg and the homeowner visited local gallery Design Supply to select most of the pieces, and Meg put just as much thought into the frame selection, noting she enjoys mixing the different frame finishes.
The primary bedroom draws inspiration from the abstract artwork hung above the bed. White quilted linens provide a soothing backdrop for the lumbar and bolster pillows to impart eye-catching contrast. Newlands Toile by Anna French dresses up the windows, providing a traditional final flourish. Melding a mix of styles, this relaxing retreat takes the same layered approach found throughout the home, which makes for a seamless transition from one space to the next—no matter the shift in scheme.
