Call of the Wild

SLHL: It looks like you took a walk on the “wild side” when you designed this space. What was your inspiration?
JK: My clients, Colleen and Pat Kelley, wanted a family space that was kid-friendly but not “childlike.” Having fun with animal prints, cozy textures, artwork and tumble-ready furniture infused with exotic flair gave me the tools I needed to create just such a space for them.

SLHL: How would you describe this design style?
JK: It definitely has a British Colonial influence. Lighter khaki walls make the dark wood tones pop. A neutral grasscloth wallcovering fills niches above “floating” black cabinets (perfect for storing games), bringing a sophisticated, somewhat contemporary edge to the room and serving as an ideal canvas for the global accents and cultural artifacts.

SLHL: What was the first item you chose for this space?
JK: The large Soumak rug by the sofa. It had so many colors: pumpkin, taupe, black, sage green and teal. It was truly the jumping-off point for all of our design decisions and helped to dictate the way we were going to go with accent colors. A neat thing about this rug, too, is that it’s reversible – another wonderful solution for an active family.

SLHL: The sectional sofa is wonderful! Just the right touch for a room that’s all about family and taking it easy. Tell me about some of the other pieces you chose.
JK: The sofa is great. Its upholstery is a combi-nation of chenille and a woven windowpane fabric. It hides everything! The ostrich pillows (yes, ostrich) were such a fun find. My clients love them, and they really add personality. Choosing a coffee table to fit into this space was quite a challenge, however. We didn’t want the hard edges of a rectangle, and a circular style didn’t work, either. When we happened upon this dark brown leather ellipse, we were over the moon. It was the perfect shape, was easy to clean and had a storage shelf beneath to boot!

SLHL: Animal prints reign supreme here. How did you incorporate this motif without making the space seem trendy?
JK: Animal prints and textures are actually very classic. They add a certain verve to a room and give it a rustic refinement. The key to using them is to edit and let them shine against other pieces. I think that’s what we accomplished here. Besides the ostrich pillows, we found a very cute ottoman upholstered in cowhide, a side table in the shape of a “Z” that has a crocodile finish, a large, somewhat abstract painting of a zebra and a soft and cuddly sheepskin rug from Ireland. Oh, and the leopard throw on the sofa is so soft and warm and really adds a fun touch.

SLHL: In the dining area, you bring a decidedly Colonial table and chairs into the global mix, and it works beautifully. What was behind this design decision?
JK: I was designing for a family that was really going to use this space, not just walk through it. Keeping that in mind was at the base of all of my decisions. The substantial dining table, with its honey oak finish, is more American Colonial, but its classic detailing blends easily with the multi-cultural look we were going with here. The black Windsor spindle chairs will also stand the test of time. 

SLHL: What advice can you give to a family that wants to embrace a global design style?
JK: Have fun searching for just the right unique pieces that will blend into and complement your family’s lifestyle. In other words, enjoy the hunt! You don’t need to travel the world to acquire global treasures. Wherever you find them, these wonderful accessories are the “icing on the cake,” adding color and textural interest to your space. They can also be great conversation starters! Colleen and Pat agree. “We love our lower level.  It’s comfortable, fun and makes us smile. We’d say that’s success!”  

RESOURCES
Interior designer Judy Krewet, Holly Blumeyer Interior Design Group, Ltd., 314-965-2828.