Comfort and balance

Understanding the effects of texture, pattern and color is a large part of any successful design. For an interior designer, it is important to choose colors and materials that have the desired effect on the mood of those who use the rooms.

In this home, interior designer Mimi Williams used a color palette of neutrals and a careful balance of patterns and textures to create a sense of stillness and calm. Having worked with the homeowner before, Williams was well-acquainted with her refined, modern style.

"Using a minimal number of colors allows the shapes of furnishings to be accentuated, and key elements in the rooms to stand on their own and shine," says the designer.

In the living room, this theory can be seen in practice in the placement of the curved, high-gloss forms of the dark wooden console and coffee table against the pale tones of the soft furnishings and lightly textured carpets.

"Visual interest is created through the juxtaposition and contrast of textures and surfaces, rather than through pattern, which can interrupt the visual flow of a room," says Williams.

Throughout the living and dining spaces, a careful blend of fabrics has been chosen for the soft furnishings, including cotton, silk, damask, velvet and leather. Natural materials are prominent, and lend visual warmth to the rooms.

As the owners frequently host social events, the house has two substantial dining areas, which are closely connected and can form a single large entertaining space. The more formal of the rooms has dual circular dining tables and fabric-covered chairs with taupe leather accents. In the adjacent loggia stands a Nettie Darr table by Mike Reid Weeks. At 120in x 42in, it is a prominent feature in the house, and one that represents a balance between contemporary and traditional design, says Williams.

"I call this style transitional, and it can be seen everywhere in the house. The custom table is executed in steel and stainless steel with a mesh top. The twin pedestal bases are a nod to Neoclassical design, with ball-and-claw feet that hold glass orbs. The washed khaki finish on this piece gives it a softer, aged patina."

This space also has an Italian feeling to it, which is furthered by the urn-shaped candleholders on the table and the candles on the hanging shelf overhead.

For the family room, a more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere was created using splashes of bright color and a vaulted timber ceiling.

"We designed this room for maximum comfort, with seating facing the fireplace and television, as well as the lake views," Williams says.

The Atlas chandelier in the family room was chosen for its oxidized iron finish and strong sculptural quality, evident in the antiqued reflective panels and classical globe silhouette.

Moving into the private spaces of the upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms, materials and furniture were chosen to provide an air of opulence, as well as tranquility and comfort. Silks and velvets are dominant in the master bedroom, and the color scheme is restricted to neutrals with silver accents.

The master bathroom has a sense of visual coolness and reflects a traditional style, with ornate turned wood detailing and paneling. An Italian theme is also evident in the use of white and the marble floors.

Story by: Camille Butler

Photography by: Jamie Cobeldick Comfort and balance A juxtaposition of textures and luscious fabrics against a backdrop of