Saltbox Serenity
Maybe it was knowing that the house was built in the 1700s—for a parson. Or maybe it was wanting an escape from big-city sensory overload. When interior designer Stephanie King took possession of a spare saltbox in Bedford, New York, three years ago, she adopted a palette of weathered grays, warm blacks, and pristine whites.
What an Understatement
“The house is incredibly charming, and the minute I walked in I just knew I could make it spectacular,” she recalls. “But because the rooms were small and the ceilings were low, I knew it had to be almost monochromatic to create a sense of flow.” Working with a preservation-minded contractor, she restored mantels, moldings, and built-in cabinets, and rebuilt worn pine floors downstairs.
Shown: To give a vintage Colonial a quiet edge, ebonized floors were paired with updated-traditional furnishings.
Small Space Style
Each room also got a judicious dose of color and texture. Linen, cashmere, and leather signal luxury in rooms remarkable for their simplicity. “Friends always say how serene it feels,” says Stephanie. Her other design trick is to “use large pieces to make small rooms look grand.” A vintage clock stands tall in the living room; an oversize portrait dominates the breakfast table. “I also keep the clutter down,” she says. “It makes the rooms seem bigger.”
For other tips on how to turn a small house into a calm retreat, read on.
Shown: Interior designer Stephanie King relaxes on a tailored sofa in her 1700s saltbox. She redid every room, but with a light touch.
Conscious Color
A custom sofa, scaled to fit the room, has soft gray upholstery with crisp white piping. Accent pillows in rich hues warm up the neutral palette. A tall case clock and curtain rods raised high add a sense of volume to a low-ceilinged room.
Neo-Baroque Light
Faceted glass adds an extra dimension to the Square Crystal Ball fixture. $140; overstock.com
Urn-Shaped Lamp
The Classic Alabaster lamp is made of the real stone, with a graceful shape and a deep-gray shade. $529; ethanallen.com
Oversize Footrest
Dark wood legs and pumice-colored fabric give the 40-inch-square Holden its contemporary look. $700; roomandboard.com
Graphic Rug
A friezelike pattern turns the Greek Key rug into a centerpiece. Starting at $650; jonathanadler.com
Textured Accent
Capiz shells enliven the Solid Silk Handloomed pillow cover. $34; westelm.com
Streamlined Seat
The simple lines of the Upholstered Slipper Chair let it adapt to most rooms. $300; westelm.com
Purple Blaze
A Visions of Violet bouquet comes in its own matching vase. $40; teleflora.com
Kitchen Clean
An all-white scheme—on the counters, cabinets, walls, and backsplash—is grounded by a slate floor, sculptural black-painted chairs, and a dramatic photograph. Charcoal-gray slate flows naturally from the other rooms’ glossy black pine.
Shimmery Light
The Faux Crystal Balls fixture will add a touch of glamour over the breakfast table. $200; lampsplus.com
Shapely Seat
The Portofino dining chair has a curved back and white vinyl seat. $149; macys.com
Classic Pedestal
The Avalon extension table seats four to six diners. $499; crateandbarrel.com
Stylish Storage
Oversize glass Apothecary Jars make decorative use of your fruit. From $35 each; pier1.com
High Profile
The Regent Porcelain Handle Gooseneck Bridge Faucet delivers a dramatic arc. $1,060; bellacor.com
White Wash
Vintage touches, like a marble top and wide-spread, porcelain-capped faucet handles, give a simple white vanity a character boost. White subway tile looks luxurious when it climbs all the way to the ceiling.
Marble Top
The Classic Turned-Leg Single Wide Sink Console is pretty and practical.$2,199; potterybarn.com
Bath Decanter
Mouthwash doubles as a color accent when served from the Claro wine decanter. $29; potterybarn.com
Cross-Handles
The chrome Belle Foret Widespread Faucet with Pop-Up Drain has the authentic details of a period fixture. $214; vintagetub.com
Shell Mirror
Let gifts from the sea add interest to an expanse of white bath tile with the Triton Sea Shell Mosaic mirror. $398; bellacor.com
Candle Light
The Metropolitan wall sconce in brushed nickel has a space-saving slim shape. $180; bellacor.com
Vintage Spray
Kohler’s Bancroft Single Function Showerhead has one spray setting, just like its Victorian ancestors. $37; homeclick.com
Neutral with a Punch
Feminine flourishes, such as a graceful bench, flowing bed canopy, and soft gray coverlet, are balanced by snappy red accents and crisply framed artwork.
Flexible Light
The Charleston wall sconce has a classic swing-arm design. $74; lightinguniverse.com
Touch of Red
Henley Ruby pillows provide a pop of color and texture. $25 each; crateandbarrel.com
Bedroom Bench
The curvy Parisian Bench could hold your breakfast tray. $129; totalbedroom.com
Controlled Contrast
Bold black accents and controlled pops of color keep pale furnishings from looking washed out. Homeowner Stephanie King updated the original fireplace with a slate surround and glass doors. Accessories with curved profiles soften the mantel’s sharp lines.
Bobbin Chair
The antique-look Abacus dining chair has a distressed black finish and traditional ticking. $895; mecoxgardens.com
Blue Vases
Curvy turquoise vessels warm up their neutral surroundings. From $28 each; jaysonhomeandgarden.com
Round Mirror
The 34-inch Saratoga mirror’s resin frame has a leaf pattern and bronze accents. $265; interiordestiny.com
Beach Souvenir
A craggy White Coral Centerpiece—made of resin—adds texture to a creamy mantel. $22; floridagiftsonline.com
