Stepping into the Brooks family's North Carolina cottage is like entering a vibrant, colorful world. It's a home that truly masters the art of color, where every trim, surface, picture frame, vase, and lamp tells a story. This is a place where whimsy and personal style intertwine seamlessly, creating an atmosphere that is both playful and elegant. The Brookses, Elizabeth and Alex, have transformed their 1990s bungalow into a masterpiece of color and design, all thanks to a distinct color palette and a strong undercurrent of creativity. In this article, I'll delve into the Brooks family's journey, exploring how they've created a home that is both functional and fantastical, all while staying true to their unique style.
A Colorful Transformation
The Brooks family's story begins with a simple request from their son Felix. He loved the poppy hues in his and his brother's bedrooms and wanted more color throughout the house. This was the spark that ignited the couple's creative journey. Elizabeth, determined to create a fun and elevated palette, started with a light gray-green for the living room trim, Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green. She then embarked on a journey of experimentation, using Canva to play with different paint combinations. It was a process of discovery, where she and Alex gradually honed in on their signature six-color paint palette, a mix of mustard yellow, shades of blue, red, pink, and white.
What makes this approach particularly fascinating is the way it simplifies the design process. By narrowing down the choices from thousands of hues to just a handful, the Brookses were able to save money and create a cohesive look throughout the house. This is a testament to the power of a well-curated color palette, where each shade is carefully chosen to complement the others.
Layering Color Gradually
The Brookses emphasize the importance of starting small when it comes to adding color. They suggest introducing playful accents or painting a few picture frames as a low-barrier entry into the world of color. This approach allows for a gradual layering of color, where each addition builds upon the last, creating a space that feels exactly right. The dining room is a perfect example of this, where wood elements and whimsical touches are balanced by spirited colors.
One thing that immediately stands out is the Brookses' ability to repurpose and repaint to suit their whims. Elizabeth lightened the walls from a mauve-brown to Farrow & Ball Matchstick and settled on Templeton Pink for the details. This flexibility and adaptability are key to creating a home that evolves with the family's changing needs and tastes.
A Home That Works Hard
The Brooks family's home is not just a pretty space; it's a functional one as well. Elizabeth, with her background in packaging design, and Alex, with his engineering and contracting expertise, have created a home that is both beautiful and practical. The butler's pantry, for instance, is a testament to their ingenuity. By borrowing space from the guest room and an oversized entryway, they created a storage haven that houses everything from snacks and nonperishables to appliances and cleaning supplies.
In the upstairs, the boys' bedrooms are a masterclass in color and pattern mixing. A large landing serves as a playroom, connecting the boys' bedrooms and displaying expansive gallery walls of framed art and pennants. Elizabeth's best finds are from Artfully Walls and originals by Ansel and Felix, while thrift store frames are painted to match the palette.
A Home for the Whole Family
The Brooks family's home is a reflection of their collective personal style, where every room tells a story. From the living room, where Alex built a custom frame for their TV and Elizabeth camouflaged it with a lively gallery wall, to the kitchen, where the couple renovated the 1990s design to suit their whims, this home is a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration. The breakfast nook, built by Alex in an unused corner of the dining room, is a perfect example of how a space can be transformed with a bit of imagination and hard work.
In conclusion, the Brooks family's North Carolina cottage is a home that truly masters the art of color. It's a place where whimsy and personal style intertwine seamlessly, creating an atmosphere that is both playful and elegant. The Brookses' journey is a reminder that with a bit of creativity, hard work, and a well-curated color palette, anyone can create a home that is both beautiful and functional. So, the next time you're feeling stuck in a design rut, take a step back and think about the Brookses' approach. Who knows, you might just find the inspiration you need to transform your own space into a colorful masterpiece.
