Decorating & Design
10+ Bold Rooms From Our Favorite Designers
Updated on November 17, 2023
Neutral interiors may have classic appeal, but these designers looked at these spaces as a blank canvas for vibrant color and bold pattern. From an oak bannister that pops in fuchsia to a kitchen ceiling that wows with wallpaper, get inspired by 10+ lively rooms that are anything but bland.
Retaining this Vancouver Craftsman’s historical feel was important to designer Ben Leavitt of Plaidfox Studio, who gave the foyer a bright re-haul without taking away its charm. “We sanded and bleached the original floors to a white oak, and the stained glass inserts were kept. The staircase was refinished and the banister rail sprayed in a fun fuchsia,” says the designer.
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Designer Gillian Gillies doesn’t shy away from color — case in point, she updated her firm’s office with a plethora of wow-worthy hues. “This space offers incentive for clients to use saturated colors and bold wallpapers,” says Gillian. “And I wanted my team to have a bright and happy space to work in and to signal to my clients that they were in good hands.” The elegant powder room features an avocado-hued marble vanity paired with floral wallpaper.
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When the clients of New York–based designer Monica Fried bought a white clapboard house Greenwich, Conn., every wall, ceiling, sink, cabinet and counter in the seven-bedroom home was white. “I wanted to live with colors that bring me joy,”says the homeowner.
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In this Brooklyn townhouse, designer Ruchi Agrawal Mohan made sure the owner’s favorite color, green, was used liberally in a variety of tones, with playful hits of pink, yellow, blue and lavender as accent colors. “Kinky” boots, signed by the cast of the Broadway musical, has pride of place in the powder room — adding another pop.
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This Eastern Townships home features a curated mix of color and pattern that gives the impression that the house has slowly evolved over time. In the kitchen, designer Luke Havekes selected vintage block-printed wallpaper on the ceiling and apple green paint for the cabinets.
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In Eva Healy’s latest project for an Art Deco aficionado, thoughtful pops of color and pattern add dimension and personality. In the dining room, bespoke blue palm-leaf wallpaper paired with pink velvet chairs is a nod to the clients’ love of beach destinations. “The goal was to add layers of richness, softness and luxury to the space” says Eva.
See the full home tour here.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that white walls make spaces feel larger,” says designer Kate Snyder of this jewel-toned Vancouver loft. “But dark shades can actually make small rooms feel more expansive.” In the open dining room, a custom moss-colored vinyl and cherrywood-veneer banquette is paired with a dusty rose rug and accent wall.
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Mother-daughter duo DeeDee Taylor Hannah and Rachael Taylor Hannah transformed what was once a white-walled office space into an opulent Parisian-style apartment. Far from being intimidated by starting with such a blank slate, the pair was exhilarated by the challenge of transforming the apartment from bland to grand. Here, a blue leather banquette accented by a monochromatic crystal pendant is the perfect spot for casual meals.
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Before her house was renovated. by designer Ali Budd, homeowner Ruby Silvertown didn’t consider herself “a wallpaper person.” But Christian Lacroix’s Prête-Moi Ta Plume wallpaper — now adorning the walls of her powder room — has become a favorite moment. “I love all the pattern in this house,” says Ruby. “It’s not in your face; it’s just a lovely, soothing blend.”
See the full home here.
In this PEI farmhouse dining room, bold pattern and color take centre stage, including the GP & J Baker’s Hydrangea Bird drapes. “I love chinoiserie, but I knew it had to be used sparingly — a little goes a long way,” says designer and owner Kyle Timothy Blood. A whimsical fabric and saturated yellow on the walls make a strong statement.
See the full home here.
When downsizing to this eclectic condo, owner Rayner Conway prioritized built-ins with plenty of drawers and shelves for her large collection of clothes, shoes and purses — for designer Cynthia Rowley, this was the perfect opportunity to pay homage to Rayner’s 1980s-era pink, bejeweled cowboy boots by painting the dressing room in a matching hue.
See the full home tour here.