When interior designer Tom Stringer met with the homeowners to begin planning the design of this multigenerational house, they quickly aligned on the concept to create a permanent residence where everyone could gather.
“I’m a big believer in multigenerational homes.” says Stringer, “I think a family house should accommodate everyone at once and feel like a place to call home. It’s a way to keep families united and you don’t see that too often these days. The clients felt the same way, so it was easy to see that our work together would be a good fit.”
The result home infused the couple’s distinct directives of a red and blue color palette, heirlooms, and floral-pattern fabric, with Stringer’s elegant taste and his talent for sophisticated blending and occasional flourishes of drama.
The red-and-blue color palette can be marked in the living room where colorful furniture radiates throughout the space and accentuate the granite fieldstone fireplace. Blue tones play a tame role in this room through pillows and window treatments detailing but then switches to a bold appearance in the white kitchen where a cobalt island sits underneath three blue shaded lights.
“I wanted the red and blue colors to make a distinct impression through the house without overshadowing the organic palette flow.” continues Stringer, “The key was to have moments of drama accented with tempered neutrals and detailed pieces.”
A similar shade of cobalt can be seen on the bookcases in the game room where red accents frame the light blue chairs that sit around a wood table. The study also showcases this blueberry coloring on the walls where it is emphasized by the woven rope chandelier and white chairs and sofa that encircle a leather-bound ottoman.
The kitchen then finds its way into the dining room where you can find a wall that gestures the fieldstone fireplace and a large blue and red detail rug that sits underneath a Racetrack oval table and 10 chairs.
To give the interiors an intimate feel, Stringer embellished the house with various pieces he pulled from the family’s heirlooms.
“The goal was to make this house feel like a home by attaching a story to it.” Stringer says. “You need to have an emotional connection to the house and in this case, it’s coming through a sense of familiarity to some of the objects such as the family heirlooms.”
These family pieces can be found throughout the house in places such as in the dining room through a cluster of blue and white vases perched on a table, and in the living room showcases a pair of antique ladder back chairs, an oil portrait, and an iron gate all from an old family farm.
On the second floor, you can find a light and airy kid’s bunk room where five twin size beds make a striking appearance featuring a vivacious red-painted frame patterned in stripes, plaid, and paisley. The room also includes two bunk beds cemented into the wall made up with monogrammed blue rim sheets that are tied together by a woven light blue armchair.
“This was an important room set into motion by the clients.” expresses Stringer. “As a multigenerational home we agreed that a kid’s room was a necessity and we settled to create spaces that are cozy, happy, and light – a great fit for future children. However, until there are children to occupy the room the wife plans to use it to sleep adult guests on girl weekends.”
As you move into the master bedroom, the palette softens into neutral shades, and your eyes are drawn to the last item on the homeowner’s wish list — floral patterned curtains that set the windows as you look out onto the water.
“I ensured to counterbalance the palette in this room so as to not pull the attention and overshadow the beautiful view,” mentioned Stringer.
Although the inside of the house is interesting and relaxing, you can likely find comfort on the open patio with a varied set of wicker furniture that houses enough space to accommodate the entire family.
“The outside is a key element of this house since the homeowners plan to spend summers here. I selected wood furniture that enhances the outdoor aesthetic but chose pieces that differentiate in style to keep the room from repeating itself. It’s a fitting outdoor space for family to gather and create lasting memories,” says Stringer.