Decorating & Design
April 23, 2021
This Family’s Breezy Home Is Ideal For Soaking Up The Tulsa Sun
When Tulsa, Oklahoma-based designer Mel Bean was tasked with helping a family of four remodel their home, she was ready to dive in head first. She started drawing up the plans… until another house became available a few doors down. The homeowners quickly decided to buy it (the large lot is a rarity in the neighborhood), tear it down and start from scratch. “It was totally the right decision,” says Mel. She quickly pivoted and began dreaming up a new-build home with the architect and homeowners that would later be named “Hygge Haven” for its effortless feel, serene palette and breezy materials. “It was important that the design was really functional for a young family,” she adds, prioritizing hardworking fabrics and an open-concept layout that connects to the outdoors for the kids and dog to run around.
Scroll down to learn more about this easy breezy home that’s perfect for summer living!
Benjamin Moore’s Athabasca highlights the front door’s beautiful curves and sets the tone for the calming interiors.
The mudroom is an organizer’s dream with a row of built-ins to keep seasonal essentials, sports equipment and more out of sight. An integrated bench makes slipping on your shoes that much easier.
The living room is a lesson in layering: pale blues, leather, linen, jute and white oak come together to create an elegant yet hardworking hangout for the whole family. “It’s important that the kids can run, play and explore as they grow older,” says Mel.
With the home’s 12-foot ceilings, there was ample opportunity to experiment with lighting. The delicate chandelier in the dining room contrasts beautifully with the farmhouse-style pendants above the island.
Between the pale wood floors, open shelving with piles of pottery and crisp white cabinetry, the kitchen is a Scandinavian dream. The bar stools are easy to wipe (ideal for life with young children) and super comfortable with their gently curved backs.
Large pocket doors — that slide all the way into the walls — create a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors. Mel chose stylish furniture that can stand up to Tulsa weather but is elegant enough to complement the overall decorating style.
We can’t think of a more perfect set-up for al fresco dinner parties! A large window looking into the kitchen is perfect for passing over food and drinks, and hardworking appliances make whipping up a BBQ meal a breeze.
The powder room is a departure from the serene aesthetic of the rest of the home, in a good way. An Iconic Beverly Hills Banana Leaf print is a “fun surprise,” according to Mel, who balanced out the whimsical wallpaper with sleek gold accents for even more glamour.
When you have a laundry room this beautiful and storage savvy, doing chores doesn’t seem so bad. Powder blue cabinetry hides built-in drying racks and laundry day essentials, and ample counter space is ideal for folding.
In the home office, Mel designed a custom unit with beautiful arches to display the homeowners’ beloved items. But the star of the show (and Mel’s favorite part of the room) is the soft desk chair. “It is the most sumptuous silk velvet,” she says. “It has this really beautiful trim detailing around the base.”
A sleek four-poster bed with piles of cool-toned pillows and a quilted throw is the ultimate place to cozy up. The principal bedroom is tucked away in its own corner of the house for ample privacy and relaxation.
In the wet room-style bathroom, a sculptural tub is accented with wood slats that continue from the floor to the wall for a serene, spa-like atmosphere.
Inspired by the great outdoors, the son’s bedroom has all of the best parts of sleepaway camp: the lush forest, a cool bunk bed and plenty of room to play and explore.
Layers of regal lavender reign supreme in the daughter’s cozy reading nook. The canopy creates her own secret hideaway to read books and play with her stuffed animals.
For guests enjoying an overnight stay, this hotel-inspired bedroom is the ultimate respite. The woven bed feels very breezy and ties in the statement tile in the bathroom.
The serenity continues in the ensuite, where small details, like rolled up towels and luxurious bath products, amp up the comfort for lucky guests.
Laurey Glenn
Mel Bean Interiors