Home Life
Before & After with Tricia Huntley
She’s the Queen of Cool. Designer Tricia Huntley of Huntley & Co. makes it her business to turn shabby into chic and take boring to beautiful. Her home designs are sought after by young movers and shakers and by traditionalists seeking a decorating shot in the arm.
The Kitchen
In our latest "Before and After" feature, Tricia Huntley takes on a tiny kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home. But when the kitchen is as tiny as a shoe box there is work to be done.
Before
Designer Tricia Huntley took on this project with the goal of creating light, openness and space.
The problem: Cheap cabinets, horrible hardware, a poorly configured space and a kitchen that was dark and closed off.
To create an open feel, Huntley blew out a wall to the living room. By tearing down part of the wall Huntley was able to create visual access to the living room and an illusion of a larger kitchen.
Huntley also created a visually wider space by replacing the dark and dated cabinets with more modern versions. The Italian made cabinets are not only sleek but they're coated with a high gloss paint that helps to bounce light. She also streamlined the hardware-- "A lot of hardware interrupts the space," says Huntley.
The plan also called for new floors. Huntley replaced the contractor grade floor with lighter, wider plank wood. The floors are designed to create a more open feel.
The small space calls for a skinny but cool refrigerator. Made by Fagor, this appliance creates custom ice cubes! For more sleek touches Huntley added a rectangular sink by Blanco and a Miele oven and stove-up.
After
The counter tops are Calcutta marble. While some homeowners shy away from this white and porous material, Huntley, who hates granite, loves the white marble.
Her advice... "seal, seal, seal. Go Au-natural, let it stain, let the counter tops age. It gets an amazing patina and charm. It’s called life. It’s so much more interesting."
To add simple seating for the apartment owner, Huntley provided something simple and chic. The chair is Maguire by Baker
If you haven't noticed, the kitchen is covered with counter to ceiling mirrors. "For me it’s such a go-to in my little decorator bag of tricks," says Huntley. When you're dealing with apartment living Huntley says mirrors can open any space.
When the project was finished Huntley didn't change the footprint of the space but was able to create a modern kitchen that looks twice the size.
The Dining Room
In this installment of Before & After with Tricia Huntley, we tackle a room that is getting more attention from homeowners—the dining room.
Before
The original dining room in this small apartment was closed off, dark and small. With of a few tricks of the trade and a lot of creativity, Huntley managed to turn a 1980’s style dinning room into a chic and stylish space that is perfect for entertaining intimate and even large groups.
To add space Huntley removed the large cabinet giving way to extra seating and even a buffet that is perfect for parties. To create an open and airy feel, Huntley used a tone-on-tone color palette. On the walls she used Huntington Beige in a satin finish by Benjamin Moore. The same color is on the trim but in a semi-gloss finish. On the ceiling, Shaker Beige, also by Benjamin Moore, was used to top off the room.
After
Huntley chose a round dining room table because she said it fit the space perfectly. “You should always address the shape of your room,” said Huntley. Tufted chairs covered with in an inexpensive fabric by Duralee surround the table.
The fabric is similar to the designer patterns of Missoni and adds texture to the room. Also adding texture, the wood grain wallpaper and the buffet by Paul Marra Design, which is covered with a parchment finish.
When it comes to lighting a room, Huntley says you should always have three layers of light: task, mood and ambient. “Like any space, you can’t just rely on one source.” Huntley advises all of her clients to put every light on a dimmer. The chandelier is a retro piece found on the luxury auction site 1stdibs.com. Along with the amazing chandelier and recessed lighting, Huntley added a set of 1950’s Italian sconces by Jon Vaccari Design.
To see more of Tricia Huntley check her out Luxe & Lucid blog.
Check out these websites for other design ideas:
Before
Huntley took on the challenge of creating a warm, inviting and modern foyer. She started with a blank slate—something that is not always easy to do. “The hall was long and dark—it looked like a bowling alley,” said Huntley. It was also filled with soffits and inexpensive light fixtures.
To make the space work, Huntley needed to create dimension, space and volume. “I want people to feel welcome.” To accomplish her goal Huntley changed the shape of the foyer. Instead of an alley—it’s now an octagon. To reflect light and create space she added mirrors and even hid closets behind them. “It makes a statement,” said Huntley.
After
Because the space is so small Huntley wanted transparency so she added Lucite and glass table (the base by Muniz $2,800). For a striking light fixture Huntley used wire mesh framework and suspended glass bobbles from the wire (Global Lighting). To set the color tone the designer used wallpaper from Osborne & Little.
We're sure you'll agree that Huntley was able to make this dark and cold hallway feel special and interesting.
Tricia Huntley is a designer in Washington, D.C.
Below
Want to get the same look? Try this acrylic side table from Wisteria $699.
