My most recent color project took place in a home tucked away along Newport’s Scenic Ocean Drive. Originally, the home, called The Playhouse, was part of the adjacent property designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and served as both a boat house and carriage house.
Breathing new life into an historic home is never an easy feat for home owners, however with a fresh color palette we were able to create a calming flow of color both in and outside the home.
We started with the guest room. I took a risk here and chose a lovely Farrow and Ball color, Calluna. Shades of Purple do not work in many rooms but in a guest room you can go out of your comfort zone a little more and play with color and fabric. 
The wall color in the guest bath blended well together allowing for a smooth transition between the rooms. Here we chose Farrow and Ball CornForth White but tinted it down three shades. The trim color in both the bedroom and the bath spaces are Farrow and Ball Pavillion Gray. We used this on the built-ins and doors as well. 
With the gorgeous woods and stone work throughout the home, I wanted to choose colors that would accent these earth tones but would also keep a playful and vibrant feel in each room. The Kitchen, with its fine finishes and woodwork, was treated with another Farrow and Ball color, Skylight.
In the main living space I wanted to keep the walls bright and accentuate the stone fireplace as well as the flooring. Instead of using a white we chose Farrow and Ball Off White No.3 and Benjamin Moore November Rain. Not only do these colors showcase the wood and stonework, they will be a neutral backdrop for artwork and furnishings.
I used Farrow and Ball Clunch on the trim in the other areas of the home to keep a consistent flow. This color has a richness and depth that allows for the color to play off of nearly every other color we chose in this home. The challenge of finding a good palette for this home was finding one that would blend the warmth of the stone and rocky landscape with the crisp coastal character of the exterior. My hat is off to the home owners for chosing the perfect balance of texture to marry these characteristics of The Playhouse.
Photography by Tripp Burman Photography
