House of Blues
Location: West Linn, OR
Photographer: Genny Moller
Some spaces call for a makeover—this home, however, sang for one. While purchased in near-perfect condition, the home, built in the early 2000s, was due for a style update. For this first phase of the project, the client wanted to focus on creating a cohesive, luxurious, modern look across the living room, dining room, entry, and family room.
Part of why I love the concept stage so much is the discoveries we make along the way. For this project, while exploring various patterns, textures, and color palettes, we uncovered the client’s love for blue and orange—a combination that would ultimately shape the whole design.
Their tastes leaned more modern, but the home itself had a more traditional style, so we had to work carefully to maintain its underlying character while stretching it toward a more eclectic and contemporary approach. With a passion for rich teals, fiery accents, and bold statements, the clients were unafraid to step outside the box, which made this project extra rewarding.
Key Design Elements and Scope
A Living Room for Conversation
The heart of the redesign was the living room—a space dedicated to wine, laughter, and long conversations by the fire. Without the distraction of a television, every detail was considered to foster warmth, depth, and movement. Plush seating encourages cozy gatherings, drenched in rich, saturated blues and accented with layered textures.
An Abstract Riverbed in the Dining Area
Visible upon entry, the dining area needed to feel both distinct and aligned with the adjacent living space. A breathtaking wallpaper mural, "Water Lilies," sets the tone—an ethereal blend of deep blues, charcoals, and earthy browns, reminiscent of a flowing river. To complement its beauty, we painted the wainscoting and ceiling in a moody deep blue. To keep the mural as the star, we added a ceiling medallion in a tone-on-tone color, bringing in layered textures without overwhelming the space with additional statements. Above the fireplace, an abstract metal art piece evokes the fluidity of rushing water over stones, bringing a dynamic yet calming energy to the space.
Subtle burnished brass details pulled from the mural’s highlights are woven into the room through understated yet impactful metal accents. A custom walnut-based table with a glazed wood top anchors the space, while a burnished brass light fixture, reminiscent of raindrops, offers a soft, glamorous glow. Velvet dining chairs with wood legs add another layer of bold yet refined texture.
Small Spaces, Big Impact
A well-placed entry table and mirror welcome guests with warmth and charm. In the powder room, we leaned into pattern and contrast, wrapping the walls in wallpaper that plays with movement and light and a nod to nature. A lighter shade of paint replaced the outdated gold tones in the entry with a neutral yet warm backdrop, allowing the deeper, moodier accents to shine.