How This Interior Designer Combined Art And A Home

GALLERY AMBIENCE

The ambience of a gallery begins with a large, vertical painting hanging just past the front door. The space offers a view through the home to the pool and patio out back. In the hallway beyond, a tall, arresting crimson sculpture of a human figure in dance creates instant drama. Curved walls add architectural interest.

A STUNNING BAR

Because the couple didn’t want a dining room, Santulli used the space allotted for it to design a stunning bar area. “I wanted to create the feel of a speakeasy,” she says.

A wall unit with glass shelving framed in dark mahogany is set against a window that offers a view of the outdoors. A small painting placed against the glass provides a focal point at eye level for anyone seated on the stools, which have adjustable chrome pedestals and white leather upholstery framed in mahogany. The bar itself is topped with quartz. Large, colorful paintings on both walls flank the room, and a chrome starburst chandelier provides additional ambiance.

LIVING ROOM

A long sectional upholstered in charcoal velvet adds to the gallery feel while providing comfortable seating. End tables wrapped in coordinating gray faux linen act as pedestals, and a 3D piece of artwork hangs above a small chair covered in a light gray faille fabric. The two-tiered glass coffee table is framed in pewter. “The glass keeps the space open and shows off the rug,” Santulli says.

Striped accent pillows are a final touch. “I found a fabric that has every color in the room,” Santulli says proudly. “I like to bring in color and texture with accessories.”

KITCHEN

A tall sculpture in vivid blue provides balance and differentiation between the living room and open kitchen. “We needed color and art so it wasn’t weighted on the other side,” the designer says. To provide continuity, the same fabric that frames the glass doors in the living room hangs at the kitchen window. Unlike the living room’s fixed side panels, however, the drapery here can be pulled all the way across the window. Appliances are stainless steel, and countertops are white quartz.

Santulli considered pulling out the existing kitchen cabinets but decided instead to paint them white and dress them up with new chrome hardware. “They turned out beautifully,” she says. An unusual feature is a long, narrow window between the upper and lower cabinets instead of a solid backsplash. Landscaping outside ensures privacy from the neighboring home. To add further interest as well as continuity, Santulli inserted a small piece of art similar to the one in the window of the bar area. The remaining portion of the backsplash is gray glass subway tile.

An existing rounded center island was changed to a rectangular shape topped with a book-matched white quartz waterfall. Hanging from the ceiling above the island are shimmering chrome pendant lights.

Because there is no dining room, the kitchen is the main eating area. The oval-shaped, glass-topped table with a hammered chrome base seats six. Curved chairs have ebony legs that match the island bar stools and white faux leather upholstery accented with chrome nailheads.

POWDER ROOM

A wall hanging that displays a soaring, curved column of hand-cut silk butterflies is the dramatic focal point of the powder room. Textured gray silk wallcovering shimmers, and a square white vanity is crowned with white quartz.

MASTER SUITE

The master bedroom is dramatic, yet it is also a comfortable retreat. Large windows and a glass door leading to the patio offer beautiful views while dark gray, textured sheer window treatments that open and close provide privacy when it is desired. A white shag area rug creates softness and texture, and white walls showcase a colorful abstract painting. A chair and large ottoman upholstered in royal blue velvet pick up tones in the painting and add another vivid splash of color.

The dark wood bed frame has a slight sheen, contrasting beautifully with a white leather headboard. Bedside tables made with the same dark wood as the bed frame hold lamps with chrome bases and white drum shades, and white bedding and pillows are edged in black.

After gutting the dark, drab master bath, Santulli installed porcelain tile flooring that is different from the tile in the rest of the home. The tiles also climb the shower wall, creating a dramatic look. “I wanted the space to be a little jewel, and the tile worked perfectly with the rest of the flooring,” she says.

Vinyl grass cloth, beautiful yet practical for a moist environment like a bathroom, covers the remaining walls. A large mirror hangs above gray wood cabinetry with chrome hardware and a quartz countertop, while a freestanding tub creates a focal point. A large glass block window lets in light while ensuring privacy.

GUEST BEDROOMS

A tufted gray headboard with chrome nailheads complements gray walls in one of the guest bedrooms, and a gray-and-cream, diamond-patterned rug works beautifully with cream and beige bedding. Gray wood bedside tables hold lamps that resemble tree branches.

A double bed instead of a king or queen helped meet the challenge of a narrow second guest bedroom. Head- and footboards are covered in gray patterned fabric while chrome lamps that resemble telescopes help create the illusion of more width. Walls are gray, and a gray and white rug adds both texture and visual interest.

Side tables are dark wood, and bedding is a shimmering silver. A chrome-framed blue velvet bench at the foot of the bed and matching accent pillows contrast with the neutral tones in the rest of the room.  White window shades that open and close let in light while providing privacy.