Exploring the Residential Haven of Andrew Howard in St. Simons Island, Georgia
In the world of home design, sometimes the stars align, and a client's unique taste and a designer's creative inclinations intertwine to create magic. Such was the case when designer Andr Howard received a call from a client eager to transform her St. Simons Island, Georgia, home into a kaleidoscope of vivid hues and whimsical prints. The job was a perfect fit for Howard's desire to break out of the blue-and-white beach house mold that had been his design team's recent revolving door.
The client, an eccentric and adventurous woman with a penchant for chinoiserie and toile, was just the kind of person to encourage Howard to step outside of his comfort zone. And step out he did, embarking on an adventure that would leave no decorative stone unturned.
The Home of Exuberance
The house itself, with its straightforward interior architecture, was the perfect canvas for Howard's colorful brushstrokes. Together with his project manager Kelsey Heneveld, he set out to inject the home with personality, using imaginative paint treatments, wild wallpapers, and artful tiles and trims. The women's unconventional requests—like, "How can we put monkeys in this room?"—werejubilantly welcomed, as Howard and Heneveld embraced every opportunity to elevate the space and push the boundaries of traditional design.
Painting Your Masterpiece
In the formal living room, which served as the entry, Howard and his team knew they needed to make an impact. They chose Benjamin Moore's Mosaic Glass (485) for the paneling, and commissioned artist Bob Christian to fill each frame with florals inspired by the works of 17th-century German botanist Basilius Besler. The multihued upholstery that followed was the perfect finishing touch.
Breaking Your Own Rules
In the dining room, tricky balance was required as the space had to be both appropriate for breakfast and reflect the homeowner's colorful sensibilities. Howard paired the homeowner's existing chairs—which he painted a warm white and reupholstered in textured olive fabric—with a dining table and console crafted from stained woods. "I think there's a world where dark and light wood pieces go well together," he says. "There's no real magic about doing it; it's trial and error."
Charming a Common Kitchen
The kitchen was an opportunity for Howard to prove that a high-impact makeover didn't require a full-blown renovation. He installed a hand-painted backsplash from Reptile Tiles, lanterns by Coleen & Company, and a Roman shade in Pindler's Bentley fabric in Sprout. The resulting transformation was nothing short of amazing, showing that even the most straightforward spaces can be transformed with a little creativity.
The Family Room Playground
The windowless family room was a welcome opportunity for Howard and his team to experiment with bold colors and patterns. They cloaked the wall paneling and trim in Benjamin Moore's Cape Blue (1642) and wrapped the ceiling in a custom covering by Adelphi Paper Hangings. A floral dhurrie rug and a collection of plates and accessories grounded the space, while the use of rattan and wicker tables echoed the home's island locale.
Celebrating a Dynamic Duo
In the sunroom, Howard chose to pair greens and blues, noting that while they're not complementary colors on the color wheel, they can make a stunning combination when used in the right way. He doused the walls and ceiling in a shade of Ralph Lauren Palm Leaf (VM106) and indulged a sea of blues in the upholstery and window treatments. The result was a harmonious and eye-catching space.
Leaving No Ceiling Unturned
To mimic the vaulted room adjacent to the porch, Howard suggested going up in the porch space as well. He covered the floor in Mirth Studio's Vintage Bamboo Hardwood painted planks and anchored the narrow lounge with an L-d sofa wrapped in Nine Muses Textiles' Topiary in Storm and trimmed in flirty, fern-green fringe. For an unexpected pop, he zhuzhed up the vintage game table and chairs by painting their "knuckles" a cool pool blue.
Balancing Fiery Hues with Soothing Blues
In the office/guest room, Howard opted for a twist on the classic red, white, and blue color scheme. He washed the walls in Benjamin Moore's Niveous (OC-36) and splashed the trim in Niagara Falls (1657). The room was anchored by Pierre Frey's Scenes Indiennes in Oasis, and the design was completed with a vibrant pop of color from a graphic game table and chairs.
Saying Yes to Everything and Then Some
In the bedroom, Howard embraced the client's colorful sensibilities with open arms, choosing a bold pink-and-white wallpaper, Schooner (AF-520) on the trim, and a soft green upholstery. The result was a stunning room that showcased the best of traditional design with a modern twist.
Embracing the Exuberant
The transformation of this home from a simple and understated space to a vibrant and playful ode to color and pattern was a testament to the power of imagination, creativity, and a willingness to step outside of one's comfort zone. By combining bold color choices, intricate design details, and playful patterns, Andr Howard and his team created a home that was nothing short of magical.
Enrichment Data:
When it comes to incorporating exuberant hues and lively prints into your home decor, follow these guidelines:
- Embrace Color Theory: Primary, secondary, and tertiary colors can provide a strong foundation for your palette. Complementary colors can create contrast and add depth.
- Play with Patterns: Biophilic aesthetics can provide a natural and organic touch. Consider using bold colors in a 60-30-10 ratio to create balance and contrast.
- Harness the Power of Lighting: Natural and artificial lighting can have a significant impact on the appearance of colors in your space.
- Make Bold Choices: Statement furniture, like curvy flamingo-pink sofas or bright accent chairs, can add visual interest and make a bold statement in your space.
By following these principles, you can create a vibrant and playful home decor that reflects the exuberant hues and lively prints seen in Andr Howard's St. Simons Island project.
This home transformation, featured in Southern Living, showcases the designer's ability to bring the client's love for Home Decor Ideas to life. The vibrant colors and whimsical prints throughout the home, including the exuberant pink-and-white wallpaper in the bedroom, are a testament to how breaking out of traditional design rules can create magic.
After this Home of Exuberance was finished, the client was thrilled with the results, and the project was featured in several issues of SouthernLiving.
