How do you add character and charm to a boring, lackluster home? By adding plenty of artful details and creative colors, of course. That’s exactly what the design team behind this one-of-a-kind LA home did, transforming it into a space full of personality, complete with unique vignettes around every corner.
The home in Los Angeles’ Atwater Village neighborhood was freshly renovated when the owners bought it, but they felt it lacked individuality. They wanted to create a playful space that reflected their personalities, so they enlisted the help of interior designers Abby Pendergrast and Kitty Rheault to breathe new life into the boring white walls.
“Shortly after moving in, the couple realized that the lighting and fixtures provided by the builder were plain and even neglected in some areas,” explains Abby. “Not only did they want to bring their shared personalities into the space, but they also needed a multifunctional home since they both primarily work from home.”
Fortunately, Abby and Kitty have reinvented the whole thing modern home So not only does it match the homeowners’ style, but it also meets these practical needs. Most notably, they weave bold but cohesive color palettes throughout each room, weaving the entire house into a color web that feels so fresh and unique—and it’s an idea we’ll certainly be emulating.
Entrance
(Photo credit: Abby Pendergrast)
Before Abby Pendergrast and Kitty Rheault worked their magic, the open-plan home lacked any cohesion. Disorganized and cluttered spaces—like the entry idea shown above—bleeded into neighboring rooms, and there was no sense of individual style anywhere.
“Although the original entryway was spacious, it felt bare and uninviting – qualities we would never use to describe the homeowners,” says Abby. “Honestly, it was a waste of precious space. Homeowners Laura and Jordan are often on the go, whether going to the gym, walking their sweet dog Penny, or meeting friends in the neighborhood. We wanted to make a strong first impression that would set the tone for the rest of the home while also providing functional storage for their belongings and pup paraphernalia.”
Notably, the space was also completely devoid of color, so infusing it with vibrant hues was a priority for Laura and Jordan. “The two have very different personal styles that complement each other perfectly,” says Abby. “While Laura was keen to use bold colors, Jordan’s personal photography collection added a grounded touch with its natural motifs and hues. Their shared style is vibrant, quirky and sculptural, reflecting their appreciation for art, entertaining and everyday life.”
(Image credit: Design: Abby Pendergrast & Kitty Rheault / Photography: Kevin Coffey)
All of these preferences come together in the new entrance area, which features bespoke built-in storage in a striking shade of blue – a great way to make an entrance area more inviting. The focus here was on functionality and providing a practical space to store shoes, coats and other essentials, while also looking good.
“To meet these needs, we designed a bench and cabinet combination, brought to life by Reason Modern,” explains Abby. “The L-shaped bench, pushed into the corner to the left of the door, provides space for putting on and taking off shoes and storing on the shelves below. The bold printed fabric from Block Shop Textiles – a nod to a popular local shop – contrasts beautifully with Backdrop’s Porsche Blue color. The oversized cabinet, with its fluted doors and ample storage, is the centerpiece of the room. We were thrilled to see this area transformed into a warm, intentional and functional space while maintaining its original minimalism.”
Kitchen and dining area
(Image credit: Design: Abby Pendergrast & Kitty Rheault / Photography: Kevin Coffey)
Continuing the playful theme, the kitchen is peppered with pops of color in unexpected places. The pastel color palette feels pretty and youthful, while details like the waterfall island, white cabinets, and retro-inspired appliances feel timeless and classic. It’s certainly a kitchen idea that will last for years to come.
Lighting played a big role in designing the space. “Neither the kitchen nor the dining room had adequate lighting and since the kitchen was recently renovated, our clients preferred to spend their budget elsewhere,” says Abby. “The ceiling above the busy kitchen island was the obvious first step and just the right place for a fun accent. We found these Danish lamps from Hübsch that were the perfect complement to the nearby wallpaper. To finish, we brought the color of the dining room paneling to the kitchen island and added striking bar stools from Matter Made, custom leather hardware and colorful accessories.”
(Photo credit: Abby Pendergrast)
Zoning the two distinct areas of the kitchen and dining area was also a key focus of Kitty and Abby’s design. “The remodel transformed the home into an open concept space,” they explain. “While this design is often used to make a home appear larger, homeowners are often faced with the question of how to define each area as its own space.”
Despite the challenges of an open floor plan, the design team managed to successfully divide these spaces into zones through the use of color, wallpaper, and a large rug. The resulting dining room idea is very inviting and offers a master class in using color blocking to give separate spaces a distinct feel.
(Image credit: Design: Abby Pendergrast & Kitty Rheault / Photography: Kevin Coffey)
According to Abby, one of the easiest ways to implement this idea in your own home is with a dramatic wallpaper that contrasts with a plain painted wall. “In the dining room, the wallpaper acts as a focal point, dramatically changing the space with its pattern and texture, creating a unique, personal environment,” she explains. “Combined with custom wall paneling, the wallpaper effectively separates the dining area, creating the illusion of a separate room.”
Maintain the look
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Color: Green
Price: 55,99 €
Type: Peel and stick
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Color: marine
Living room
(Photo credit: Abby Pendergrast)
One of the most inspiring details in this home is the way different color palettes are used in each room. The full spectrum of colors and deviation from an overall theme may seem intimidating, but it creates a common thread that ties the whole home together while still allowing for creative freedom. In the fresh living room idea, these colors are combined with different textures to create a Bauhaus-inspired space with an abundance of conversation topics.
“Incorporating different textures and patterns adds depth, interest, and coziness to the otherwise empty space,” notes Abby. “The simple natural wood finish complements the heavily patterned, colorful rug, while the glossy yellow table echoes the softer, warm velvets and plaid pillows from Archive NYC, a close friend of the homeowners. To highlight the couple’s love for their current city, we selected a stunning large-scale painting by LA artist Kari Kroll to tie all the details together. The color palette beautifully captures the essence of the space; it blends whimsy, vibrancy, and the perfect pops of blue to balance out the entryway closet, which is also visible from this area.”
(Image credit: Design: Abby Pendergrast & Kitty Rheault / Photography: Kevin Coffey)
One of the most obvious talking points (in a room full of them) is the structural coffee table, which also evokes Bauhaus interiors. The intriguing design features a rounded, high-gloss finish with a cubist-inspired base in a beautiful butter yellow hue.
“We sourced this oversized ’80s-style decorative table from a local vintage dealer after being inspired by the curved, chunky pieces of Gustaf Westman, which unfortunately arrived after our project deadline,” says Abby. “Its dramatic size grounds the space, provides ample space for stylish items, and serves as the perfect surface for friends to gather around a board game—a priority for the client. It’s safe to say we’re obsessed with its unique shape and the parchment texture of the buttery-soft lacquer, reminiscent of goatskin.”
Bedroom
(Photo credit: Abby Pendergrast)
Elsewhere, the use of colour is reduced to a single colour combination. This idea was implemented in the bedroom, a room that previously lacked character or colour. To transform the space in a way that felt calming and less chaotic than other uses of colour in the house, Kitty and Abby decided to cover the room in mid-green and a warm yellow, creating a ‘sandwich’ effect by painting the ceiling. The result is a bedroom colour idea that is instantly relaxing and looks so balanced.
(Image credit: Design: Abby Pendergrast & Kitty Rheault / Photography: Kevin Coffey)
“We wanted the master bedroom to feel like an oasis in the home, so we used a more muted take on the other color palette,” says Abby. “To add elegance without using physical molding, we used faux crown molding as a cost-effective solution. This technique enhances the architecture of the space by adding depth and elegance, and can be especially effective in rooms like living rooms or bedrooms. It was also important to us not to use any bold patterns in this room, so we kept the furniture pieces very tonal to help relax the eyes and create a restful environment.”
Just like the other rooms in the house, the bedroom shows the dramatic impact that colour can have on design. It’s safe to say that this playful, characterful home will be our reference point the next time we pick up a paintbrush.
