Designer Story: LiLu Interiors Creates a Seriously Happy House (And it has stained wood trim!)

 

Hello all and happy 2020!!!

To be honest, I’m actually not *quite* back in the office — Monday will be my first day back. Final guests (you know who you are! :)) just left on New Year’s Day, and the kids were out of school for a solid 2 weeks. This weekend, I’m recuperating from too much vacation!

HOWEVER, I wanted share a historic-home project with you by a wonderful Minneapolis designer whom I met while on the Design Bloggers Tour of High Point this past fall. If your weather is anything like ours right now (rain on snow, blech), it’s sure to put a smile on your face!

 

LiLu Interiors Creates a Seriously Happy Forever Home

 

All images via LiLu Interiors.

I was bowled over by Lisa Peck, owner and principal designer of LiLu Interiors, even before I met her when I saw this before-and-after on her IG account.

 

Before. Obviously.

 

After. Wowzer.

 

Lisa had worked with these clients on a previous house, where she had created a kid-focused home full of durable but happy color and pattern that was uniquely them. So, before purchasing this turn-of-the-century Prairie style house, they consulted to Lisa to see if she felt it could be lightened and brightened without compromising its inherent nature.

 

In the client’s own words.

 

Anyone who has been around this blog for any length of time knows that I’m a sucker for historical homes. I’ve also written a couple of times about freshening up interiors that have a lot of stained wood without slapping a white coat of paint over everything — preserving architectural and stylistic integrity while livening up things according the personal style of the home’s current family.

 

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Personally, I think what Lisa did was brilliant — she preserved the majority of the stained woodwork while respectfully giving it a tactical and targeted color punch to help the clients really feel at home.

 

 

Perhaps my favorite space — the entry. The paneling is to-die-for. Notice how Lisa only had the balusters painted, judiciously highlighting an architectural detail. And using fresh lighting, colors, and patterns is an instant mood lifter without touching the major architectural elements!

 

 

OK, somebunny (me) really loves this art.

 

 

I recommended this Design Master Plan client paint her mantel a naval blue, but I have yet to have a client that I think would go for turquoise!!!!

 

 

More awesome art and fun lighting. The colors and patterns don’t overwhelm because Lisa chooses “still” spaces in between — the wallpaper, the drapes, and the solid fabrics on the chairs all quietly meld and blend.

 

 

Ok, this house is killing me with its stained upper cabinets with glass inserts! So gorgeous, classic, and true to period.

What I find creative, though, is the golden tile and the spice-colored island. These are not typical colors these days, and I find it intriguing how Lisa developed this palette.

 

 

 

I see flamingos around the corner! A gallery wall of kids’ art is a surefire smile-maker — especially for the parents.

 

 

Yeah, these clients *really* trust Lisa! What fun! The lady of the house, for whom this office was created, must be an absolute fireball.

 

 

Sidenote: Lisa also designs fabrics, wallpapers, and rugs through her other company Sylvie & Mira. The rugs are available through Julie Dasher Rugs, a custom rug company with a wonderful mission that I profiled many moons ago here.

Head over to LiLu Interiors to see the rest of its unique, fresh traditional portfolio, and I highly recommend you follow Lisa’s IG account!

 

See you next Saturday!

-Amy